The Best Isle of Harris Walking Routes
Walk or Hike - Enjoy breath-taking views & amazing wildlifeWalking & Hiking Routes Isle of Harris
There’s no better way to explore Harris than on foot. From Macleod’s Stone to the An Cliseam Horseshoe, there’s a hiking route for everyone.
Hidden Hebrides and Wild Harris offer guided walks to help you make the most of the island, as do the rangers of the North Harris Trust. Don’t forget to join the Hebridean Way, running from Vatersay to Lewis – it passes right behind the house.
We have put together the best Isle of Harris Walking Routes for you below.
Macleod’s Stone & Traigh Iar
This short walk crosses the stunningly beautiful sands of Traigh Iar before climbing up to visit a massive standing stone.
The route then passes over a low hill to reach the equally fine beach of Traigh Niosaboit before returning beside the road. Great views throughout.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 km
Average Time: 1 hour
3 miles from Oran Na Mara
Starting point & car parking
Renish Point, from Rodel
This short walk explores the most southerly headland on Harris, a great vantage point for marine mammals, otters and seabirds. It crosses open grazing land so dogs should be kept under tight control.
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 8 km
Average Time: 2 hours
8.4 miles from Oran Na Mara
Starting point & car parking
Sron Ulladale Stalker’s Path
This short walk crosses the stunningly beautiful sands of Traigh Iar before climbing up to visit a massive standing stone. The route then passes over a low hill to reach the equally fine beach of Traigh Niosaboit before returning beside the road. Great views throughout.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 km
Average Time: 1 hour
3 miles from Oran Na Mara
Starting point & car parking
Beinn Dhubh, Losgaintir
Beinn Dhubh and its neighbour Beinn Losgaintir appear unremarkable, rounded hills from a distance.
However, their superb position overlooking the Luskentyre Sands on the one hand, and the mountains of North Harris on the other, ensures they make for a shorter hill walk with sensational views.
Difficulty: Medium / Hard
Distance: 11.5 km
Average Time: 5 hours
7.4 miles from Oran Na Mara
Starting point & car parking
An Cliseam Horseshoe
The long approach to An Cliseam over the dramatic and rugged ridges of Mulla-Fo-Thuath and Mulla-Fo-Dheas is a Hebridean classic, with views to match.
The route makes a full days’ hill-walking and is much more demanding than the standard route up Cliseam.
Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 14 km
Average Time: 9 hours
25 miles from Oran Na Mara
Starting point & car parking
Urgha to Rhenigidale
The start of the route can be reached on foot from Tarbert and follows the ancient walking route to the village of Rhenigidale and was the main overland access route until a road was built in the 1980s.
It’s a well-constructed path with one short boggy section, and a steep descent.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6 km
Average Time: 3 hours
16.7 miles from Oran Na Mara
Starting point & car parking
Ceapabhal, Taobh Tuath
This very steep ascent towards Ceapabhal rewards walkers with stunning views along the beaches of Harris as well as out over a myriad of islands in the Sound.
Much of the track is sand over machair, with more formal tracks only appearing in the upper sections.
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 6.75 km
Average Time: 3 hours
3.7 miles from Oran Na Mara
Starting point & car parking
Harris Eagle Observatory
Home to 20 pairs of Golden Eagles, the mountains of Harris offer visitors a wonderful opportunity to see these creatures in their natural habitat.
This walk takes you out on an even track to the new observatory.