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Hebridean Way Highlights

6 stages . 7 nights . Outer Hebrides

Self-guided walking holiday

Key Information

  • Grade: Blue
  • Start: Vatersay after night in Castlebay, Barra
  • End: Stornoway on Lewis
  • Season dates: 1 May to 18 Septemebr 2025 and 1 May to 17 September 2026
  • Length: 6 days' walking
  • Typical walk: 22km, 330m ascent
  • Total distance: 133km or 83 miles
  • Highest altitude: 275m
  • Group size: 2 or more trekkers
From GBP 1,460 per person
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The Hebridean Way crosses the chain of ten islands off the West Coast of Scotland, from Vatersay on Barra to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Our Hebridean Way Highlights trip allows you to discover the best sections of the full walk in just one week! Hike along the flowering machair coast and sandy beaches and cross over wild moors and empty peatlands as you venture North.

Launched in 2017, the full route covers 166 miles and links up existing footpaths, road sections, causeways and ferry crossings to showcase the best the Outer Hebrides have to offer. Our Highlights trip option makes use of comfortable taxis to skip some sections and fully concentrate on the best stages of the full route. Enjoy the everchanging landscapes of these remote islands – from the carpet of flowers over the machair (the grass and sand by the beach) on Barra and the Uists, the turquoise sea surrounding Berneray to the stunning beaches of Seilebost and Luskentyre on Harris. You will finish your walk at Stornoway Castle, in the largest settlement in the Outer Hebrides. Watch out for eagles, seals and dolphins on your way, as well as for archaeological remains along the trail – standing stones, chambered cairns and the iconic blackhouses are scattered here and there and keep the unique island history alive.

Our self-guided trips give you the flexibility to walk at your own pace and on any dates within our season. We book your accommodation and taxis along the route, and provide you with our detailed route cards and the maps needed. Privately guided hikes are possible too, where you walk with our International Mountain Leaders; please ask for details.

Alternative trip options
Prefer a different length of trip? Why not try one of these:
 Hebridean Way Full – 12 stages, 13 nights
 Hebridean Way South – 7 stages, 8 nights
 Hebridean Way North – 5 stages, 6 nights

Map

Trip Information

Slide 1
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)
Slide 1
Stage 1: Vatersay to Ardmhor
Blue 4 (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)
Slide 1
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)
Slide 1
Stage 3: 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. After a taxi transfer from Dalabrog to Carinish, you 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)
Slide 1
Stage 4: 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)
Slide 1
Stage 5: Leverburgh to Horgabost
Blue 2 (grade) 18.7km 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. Start following the trail through the hills and finish 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)
Slide 1
Stage 6: Laxay to Stornoway
Blue 3 (grade) 24.9km with 300m ascent, 320m descent
After a taxi ride to Laxay, 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!
B&B in Stornoway (breakfast)
Slide 1
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.