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Hebridean Way
Arrival day: Arrive in Castlebay
After a scenic ferry from Oban or a flight landing on the beach runway on Barra, your trip begins at your accommodation in Castlebay. This small village with two hotels is the largest settlement on the island.
Hotel in Castlebay (breakfast)
After a scenic ferry from Oban or a flight landing on the beach runway on Barra, your trip begins at your accommodation in Castlebay. This small village with two hotels is the largest settlement on the island.
Hotel in Castlebay (breakfast)
Stage 1: Vatersay to Ardmhor
Blue 3 (grade) 23.9km with 590m ascent, 590m descent
From Castlebay take a taxi to Vatersay to begin the Hebridean Way. The walk starts with one of its most challenging days. There are three distinct climbs, and in good weather you'll experience great views over Barra, back to the mainland and out across the Atlantic. With sections in the hills and the classic Hebridean beaches, this day offers a preview of all to come in the rest of the walk. From the Pier at Ardmhor, take a taxi back to Castlebay for a second night.
Hotel in Castlebay (breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 23.9km with 590m ascent, 590m descent
From Castlebay take a taxi to Vatersay to begin the Hebridean Way. The walk starts with one of its most challenging days. There are three distinct climbs, and in good weather you'll experience great views over Barra, back to the mainland and out across the Atlantic. With sections in the hills and the classic Hebridean beaches, this day offers a preview of all to come in the rest of the walk. From the Pier at Ardmhor, take a taxi back to Castlebay for a second night.
Hotel in Castlebay (breakfast)
Stage 2: Eriskay to Dalabrog
Green 2 (grade) 18.2km with 50m ascent, 50m descent
After a morning taxi back to Ardmhor, catch the ferry to Eriskay. Passing across Eriskay and over the causeway onto South Uist, the day has a feeling of moving through the islands. This extremely flat day of walking is split into 2 sections: the first is predominantly on roads, and the second is the Machair Way along the coast.
Hotel in Dalabrog (breakfast)
Green 2 (grade) 18.2km with 50m ascent, 50m descent
After a morning taxi back to Ardmhor, catch the ferry to Eriskay. Passing across Eriskay and over the causeway onto South Uist, the day has a feeling of moving through the islands. This extremely flat day of walking is split into 2 sections: the first is predominantly on roads, and the second is the Machair Way along the coast.
Hotel in Dalabrog (breakfast)
Stage 3: Dalabrog to Drimsdale
Green 3 (grade) 23.4km with 35m ascent, 35m descent
Today's route stays on South Uist and begins by continuing on the Machair Way for 16.5km until Howmore. Views to the Right show South Uist's mountains, including the highest Beinn Mhor, and to the Left the Atlantic stretches out. The day ends with a short road section, passing through villages. From the main road at Drimsdale, travel back to Dalabrog for a second hotel night.
Hotel in Dalabrog (breakfast)
Green 3 (grade) 23.4km with 35m ascent, 35m descent
Today's route stays on South Uist and begins by continuing on the Machair Way for 16.5km until Howmore. Views to the Right show South Uist's mountains, including the highest Beinn Mhor, and to the Left the Atlantic stretches out. The day ends with a short road section, passing through villages. From the main road at Drimsdale, travel back to Dalabrog for a second hotel night.
Hotel in Dalabrog (breakfast)
Stage 4: Drimsdale to Liniclate
Blue 3 (grade) 23.6km with 80m ascent, 85m descent
Moving away from the coast, this stage introduces the moorland of the Hebridean Way, walking among a seemingly endless number of lochs. Views extend across the South Uist hills. The day finishes with a road stretch to move on to our fifth island: Benbecula.
Hotel in Liniclate (breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 23.6km with 80m ascent, 85m descent
Moving away from the coast, this stage introduces the moorland of the Hebridean Way, walking among a seemingly endless number of lochs. Views extend across the South Uist hills. The day finishes with a road stretch to move on to our fifth island: Benbecula.
Hotel in Liniclate (breakfast)
Stage 5: Liniclate to Carinish
Blue 3 (grade) 26.3km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Continuing across Benbecula and briefly crossing Grimsay before arriving onto North Uist, the highlight of today's walk is the ascent of Benbecula's highest hill. Although only 124m high, Ruabhal commands fantastic 360 degree views. On a clear day you can see St Kilda out to the West and, to the South East, the Cuillin Ridge on Skye.
Inn in Carinish (breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 26.3km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Continuing across Benbecula and briefly crossing Grimsay before arriving onto North Uist, the highlight of today's walk is the ascent of Benbecula's highest hill. Although only 124m high, Ruabhal commands fantastic 360 degree views. On a clear day you can see St Kilda out to the West and, to the South East, the Cuillin Ridge on Skye.
Inn in Carinish (breakfast)
Stage 6: Carinish to Lochmaddy
Blue 2 (grade) 18.4km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Today's stage crosses North Uist and is a day of three distinct parts. Start the day with a stretch of moorland broken by a short section of single track road, before arriving at Langass Lodge, an old hunting lodge. Then head up the hill behind the lodge, past an old stone cirle. Lastly, finish the day with a flat stretch along the old road, and later the main road before heading into Lochmaddy. This is the largest village on North Uist and hosts a ferry link with Uig on Skye.
Hotel in Lochmaddy (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 18.4km with 150m ascent, 150m descent
Today's stage crosses North Uist and is a day of three distinct parts. Start the day with a stretch of moorland broken by a short section of single track road, before arriving at Langass Lodge, an old hunting lodge. Then head up the hill behind the lodge, past an old stone cirle. Lastly, finish the day with a flat stretch along the old road, and later the main road before heading into Lochmaddy. This is the largest village on North Uist and hosts a ferry link with Uig on Skye.
Hotel in Lochmaddy (breakfast)
Stage 7: Lochmaddy to Berneray
Blue 2 (grade) 17.6km with 210m ascent, 220m descent
The last day on the Southern half of the route, today's route takes you through flat moorland and over a small hill pass, before crossing the final causeway of the trip to reach Berneray. If time allows it's worth exploring Berneray. We love the beach on the North coast.
B&B in Berneray (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 17.6km with 210m ascent, 220m descent
The last day on the Southern half of the route, today's route takes you through flat moorland and over a small hill pass, before crossing the final causeway of the trip to reach Berneray. If time allows it's worth exploring Berneray. We love the beach on the North coast.
B&B in Berneray (breakfast)
Stage 8: Leverburgh to Horgabost
Blue 2 (grade) 18.1km with 300m ascent, 300m descent
Take the morning ferry across the Sound of Harris to Leverburgh. The intricate ferry route, twisting around shallows, is an experience in itself. The first stage on Harris is one of the most varied on the Northern section, with long views of the white beaches and turquoise seascapes of Northton, Scarista and Horgabost. A low-lying route, the challange of the day is the traverse over wet ground. Finish the day with a taxi to Tarbert.
Hotel in Tarbert (breakfast)
Blue 2 (grade) 18.1km with 300m ascent, 300m descent
Take the morning ferry across the Sound of Harris to Leverburgh. The intricate ferry route, twisting around shallows, is an experience in itself. The first stage on Harris is one of the most varied on the Northern section, with long views of the white beaches and turquoise seascapes of Northton, Scarista and Horgabost. A low-lying route, the challange of the day is the traverse over wet ground. Finish the day with a taxi to Tarbert.
Hotel in Tarbert (breakfast)
Stage 9: Horgabost to Tarbert
Blue 4 (grade) 28.9km with 600m ascent, 600m descent
Return to Horgabost by taxi. Today's stage, although long, follows mostly good paths and quiet single-track roads. Soak up the final views of Horgabost, Sheileboist and Luskentyre beach and head East to the Bays of Harris along the 'Coffin Route' once used by islanders on the East coast to carry bodies for burial to the graveyards of the West. The day ends at Tarbert, the tiny capital of Harris. With 700 inhabitants it is the largest settlement you have encountered since the start of the walk. (Tarbert means ithsmus and is a common place name in the Highlands. Few Tarberts are as clearly squeezed by the sea as this one!)
Hotel in Tarbert (breakfast)
Blue 4 (grade) 28.9km with 600m ascent, 600m descent
Return to Horgabost by taxi. Today's stage, although long, follows mostly good paths and quiet single-track roads. Soak up the final views of Horgabost, Sheileboist and Luskentyre beach and head East to the Bays of Harris along the 'Coffin Route' once used by islanders on the East coast to carry bodies for burial to the graveyards of the West. The day ends at Tarbert, the tiny capital of Harris. With 700 inhabitants it is the largest settlement you have encountered since the start of the walk. (Tarbert means ithsmus and is a common place name in the Highlands. Few Tarberts are as clearly squeezed by the sea as this one!)
Hotel in Tarbert (breakfast)
Stage 10: Tarbert to Aline
Blue 3 (grade) 22.5km with 470m ascent, 450m descent
A shorter walk today, the route heads North out of Tarbert alongside Lochannan Lacasdail. The walking is good, following mostly old roads and tracks. There's a section of wetter ground at the end of the day before the path descends to Scaladale on the edge of Loch Seaforth. Lastly climb the small hill Griamacleit (155m) for long views back to Harris. We take transport from Aline woodlands to Shieldinish.
Hotel in Shieldinish (breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 22.5km with 470m ascent, 450m descent
A shorter walk today, the route heads North out of Tarbert alongside Lochannan Lacasdail. The walking is good, following mostly old roads and tracks. There's a section of wetter ground at the end of the day before the path descends to Scaladale on the edge of Loch Seaforth. Lastly climb the small hill Griamacleit (155m) for long views back to Harris. We take transport from Aline woodlands to Shieldinish.
Hotel in Shieldinish (breakfast)
Stage 11: Aline to Laxay
Blue 3 (grade) 19.4km with 270m ascent, 270m descent
Continue from the Aline woodlands to join the old road to Stornoway. At Airidh a Bhruaich the route heads out onto the moor. The path is wet in places but easy to follow. Later reach Balallan, one of the longest villages in Scotland. As accommodations are few and far between in this area, we take transportation back for a further night in Shieldinish.
Hotel in Shieldinish (breakfast)
Blue 3 (grade) 19.4km with 270m ascent, 270m descent
Continue from the Aline woodlands to join the old road to Stornoway. At Airidh a Bhruaich the route heads out onto the moor. The path is wet in places but easy to follow. Later reach Balallan, one of the longest villages in Scotland. As accommodations are few and far between in this area, we take transportation back for a further night in Shieldinish.
Hotel in Shieldinish (breakfast)
Stage 12: Laxay to Stornoway
Blue 4 (grade) 24.9km with 300m ascent, 320m descent
The first stretch crosses the moorlands of Lewis on a raised turf path with views stretching from the mainland hills in the East to the island of Great Bernera off the west coast of Lewis. After reaching the small village of Achmore, the route changes and now follows single track roads to the outskirts of Stornoway. We enter town past the delightful Lews Castle, to reach our finish point at Stornoway harbour. Congratulations! We love Stornoway's mix of town comforts and island life. It is very much the social centre of the islands. Lews Castle's grounds wrap around the shoreline and offer lovely evening strolls.
B&B in Stornoway (breakfast)
Blue 4 (grade) 24.9km with 300m ascent, 320m descent
The first stretch crosses the moorlands of Lewis on a raised turf path with views stretching from the mainland hills in the East to the island of Great Bernera off the west coast of Lewis. After reaching the small village of Achmore, the route changes and now follows single track roads to the outskirts of Stornoway. We enter town past the delightful Lews Castle, to reach our finish point at Stornoway harbour. Congratulations! We love Stornoway's mix of town comforts and island life. It is very much the social centre of the islands. Lews Castle's grounds wrap around the shoreline and offer lovely evening strolls.
B&B in Stornoway (breakfast)
Departure Day: Depart from Stornoway
Enjoy your last breakfast in Stornoway before departing from the trip. Take the ferry to Ullapool and enjoy the views back to the islands and forward to the mainland. If time allows this is a good chance to explore the remote North West corner of Scotland, before taking the bus to Inverness for onward travel by train or bus. Or, fly from Stornoway Airport which is near town.
Enjoy your last breakfast in Stornoway before departing from the trip. Take the ferry to Ullapool and enjoy the views back to the islands and forward to the mainland. If time allows this is a good chance to explore the remote North West corner of Scotland, before taking the bus to Inverness for onward travel by train or bus. Or, fly from Stornoway Airport which is near town.
Options
Our main route of 12 stages allows you to complete the entire route without any unduly long days. The limited accommodation along the route means that taxi transfers are often needed to get to and from the end points of the route and the hotels, and these taxis are included in the holiday. This makes it quite easy to make the trip shorter or longer, by changing the taxi pick-up points, and spending multiple nights in the same hotel. We advise on the main options below, but please ask up for further options.
Make the trip shorter
The stages on our standard Hebridean Way are already quite long; however, if you’re up for a quick dash across the islands it’s possible to shorten the trip a little. The 4 stages between Eriskay and Carinish can be walked in 3 longer days, with end points at Howmore and Baile nan Calleach and using transfers to get to accommodation off route. In the northern half it's possible to walk from Tarbert to Balallan in one long stage, of 41km with 690m ascent and 570m ascent. Alternatvely it's possible to shorten the route by skipping out some sections. Please ask and we will be happy to advise.
Make the trip longer
Walking days on the Hebridean Way are quite long, so for anyone looking to shorten the stages of the trek, we are more than happy to advise about splitting up the longer days. We suggest splitting the 2 long days between Drimsdale and Carinish into 3 shorter days, with the end points being in Creagorry and Baile nan Calleach. On Harris, the long day from Horgabost to Tarbert can be split onto 2, staying at Greosabhagh (or with taxi to Tarbert to stay) and it happens that this would reflect the contrast in scenery between West and East Harris. We advise that the shorter days mean using more transport on the route, to get to and from the hotels, but that this need not put you off a less challenging pace.
Hike with a leader
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and arrangements taken care of. You're welcome to walk on any date within our season and we can adjust the hike to suit your needs. Please get in touch for dates and availability on our private guided option. Thank you.
2025 Prices
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Hebridean Way 1 May to 18 Sept 2025 |
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| Classic | |||
| Self-guided | |||
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10 stages (11 nights) |
GBP 1,970 Singles 550 |
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12 stages (13 nights) |
GBP 2,150 Singles 610 Main Trip |
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|
14 stages (15 nights) |
GBP 2,350 Singles 700 |
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| Private guided | |||
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12 stages (13 nights) |
Price dependant on group size, please ask us | ||
| Extras | |||
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Baggage transfer |
One bag included per person | ||
Accommodation
Where we stay
Our classic accommodation schedule uses a mix of welcoming hotels, inns and B&Bs and stays as close to the route as possible. Breakfast is included every morning and we book ensuite rooms where we can. Unlike in the rest of the UK, most villages don’t have a pub or a restaurant, so we make greater use of hotels (with restaurants) than on our other UK holidays.
For your B&B nights, your host will be able to recommend nearby restaurants or bistro, or provide you with a dinner. Our B&Bs are small, friendly guesthouses with varying levels of comfort. You will be invited to a family home with the unique opportunity to experience a true taste of island life, but please keep in mind that this might be a less formal stay than a hotel.
Although our classic schedule stays as close to the trail as possible, you will still need some taxi transfers to nearby accommodation and these are included in the trip.
Hutty and Comfy
Due to the limited accommodation options for walkers on the Hebrides we don't offer any comfier or more basic itineraries. If you'd like to customise your accommodation in any way, please contact us and we’ll advise on the small ways we can alter your trip.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single rooms rather than sharing a double, twin or triple room we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking single occupancy rooms on a per person basis.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. If you are still interested in this trip, we do have availability on our guided trips.
Our classic accommodation schedule uses a mix of welcoming hotels, inns and B&Bs and stays as close to the route as possible. Breakfast is included every morning and we book ensuite rooms where we can. Unlike in the rest of the UK, most villages don’t have a pub or a restaurant, so we make greater use of hotels (with restaurants) than on our other UK holidays.
For your B&B nights, your host will be able to recommend nearby restaurants or bistro, or provide you with a dinner. Our B&Bs are small, friendly guesthouses with varying levels of comfort. You will be invited to a family home with the unique opportunity to experience a true taste of island life, but please keep in mind that this might be a less formal stay than a hotel.
Although our classic schedule stays as close to the trail as possible, you will still need some taxi transfers to nearby accommodation and these are included in the trip.
Hutty and Comfy
Due to the limited accommodation options for walkers on the Hebrides we don't offer any comfier or more basic itineraries. If you'd like to customise your accommodation in any way, please contact us and we’ll advise on the small ways we can alter your trip.
Single Room Supplement
If you would like to stay in single rooms rather than sharing a double, twin or triple room we add our single room supplement. This covers the additional cost of booking single occupancy rooms on a per person basis.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. If you are still interested in this trip, we do have availability on our guided trips.
Route
The Hebridean Way is a relatively new walk, launched in 2017. Our trip gives a complete journey on foot from Vatersay, to Stornoway on Lewis, using two ferries and crossing six causeways. You will be staying in the comfiest accommodation as close to the route as possible, but some taxis will be needed to get to and from your next hotel or B&B. Every year we recce and update our routecards to inform you of any changes ahead of Summer.
The Terrain
The Hebridean Way terrain comprises wild sections of moorland, narrow hillside paths, farm tracks, and roads. On South Uist in particular the route sticks close to the coast making use of the beaches and paths through the machair. Machair is the low-lying rich grassy plain found on the coast on the exposed North West coastlines of Ireland and Scotland, and in the summer it is covered in a carpet of wildflowers.
On moorland sections, peat provides a challenge for maintainting paths, as rocks can sink into the soil, causing some sections of the walk to be quite boggy underfoot. Raised turf paths have been built to show the way and keep feet dry. Old military roads, often running close to today's roads, provide good paths underfoot and are used where possible. There's also time spent walking on roads, including, of course, all the causeways. Many roads are narrow, single-track with passing places, and this includes the main road through the islands to the South of Tarbert.
Is it for me?
The Hebridean Way is a great trek for walkers who are happy to walk for between roughly 5 and 8 hours per day along a long-distance trail. Some of the days are a little longer than one might normally plan, due to the location of accommodation. However, the easy flat sections often let the miles pass quicker than expected. This trip will suit walkers who are looking for a little isolation in quite a wild location. Shops, cafes and restaurants are few and far between, so planning where to buy food is more important than on other treks.
Difficulty
The challenge of the Hebridean Way comes not in high mountain days but in the general remoteness and wild atmosphere of the Western Isles. The settlements are scarce and on many stages there are few refreshments stops or points of shelter. There is no climbing or scrambling, and very view sections of steep rocky paths. With little ascent and descent, it's important to consider the distances, with the longest day in our normal schedule being 27km.
Hebridean Way Walking Guide - more about the trail
The making of our Hebridean Way - photos from our research trips
How to get there
Your holiday starts in the small village of Castlebay on Barra and ends in Stornoway on Lewis, the main town of the Outer Hebrides and a bustling harbour. The quickest way to arrive and depart is to fly directly to the beach airport on Barra and to return from Stornoway airport. Glasgow Airport is the typical hub for these flights to the Western Isles but other UK airports also have links: Edinburgh, Manchester and others. Flight routes, in good weather, show a large portion of the Scottish Highlands.
The ferries also work well: from Oban to Castlebay, then back from Stornoway to Ullapool. The ferries work in conjunction with trains and buses: assuming you reach Glasgow, you would take either train or bus to Oban for the Castlebay ferry. Then once at Ullapool off the Stornoway ferry, you would take the bus to Inverness and then onward bus or train to Glasgow or Edinburgh. Or, fly from Inverness airport.
Travel to and from the trip is not included in the holiday price. We take care to give the most useful notes possible about all the travel options. We supply these both on booking and in your info pack, and we offer personalised tips at any point. The aim is that our trekkers arrange their travel by the simplest and most scenic means as suits their plan.
Included
- Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
- Baggage transfers
- Breakfast every morning
- Taxis to and from your accommodaiton when needed
- The 2 ferries used during the trip (Ardmhor to Eriskay and Berneray to Leverburgh)
- Detailed Routecards HBW1-12 of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- The 5 topographical maps needed
- Downloadable GPX Tracks covering the route
- Expert advice and local information
- A comprehensive 'Season Update' following our pre-season recce
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (8am until 8pm in the UK)
Not included
- Travel to and from your trip
- Local transport whilst on the trip unless specified
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals
Baggage transfer
Baggage transfer is included on our Hebridean Way trek to each night's accommodation. In the morning, simply leave your bag with your host or at reception. We then take it to your next accommodation while you walk.
Got questions about the Hebridean Way?
Feel free to ask us any questions you have about any aspects of your planning and preparations! Lucy, Steph, Nicky, Rob, Evie, Ben and Amy will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time walking our routes and more broadly exploring ski and hiking trails around the world so do feel free to ask anything at all.
 
Enquiry Form
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If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
9am to 5pm UK time Monday to Friday |
| Australia | 02 8319 2266 |
| Canada | 416-548-4819 |
| New Zealand | 04 889 4515 |
| USA | 646-757-1102 |
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Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Along with the UK, our best-represented countries are the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Please use our national-rate numbers for a cheaper call to contact our office in Edinburgh.
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