Rubha Hunish - Hike to the northern tip of the Isle of Skye
The not too difficult circular hike to Rubha Hunish offers many breathtaking views of the Minch estuary and the Outer Hebrides mountains further out. With a little luck you can see many sea birds as well as seals, dolphins and small whale species.
The tour follows mostly easy paths through a flat undulating meadow landscape. Here the subsoil can be partly quite damp and muddy.
For those who find the steep and slightly exposed descent from the basalt cliffs to the Hunish peninsula a bit too daunting, this section can also be omitted and instead enjoy the fantastic view from above.
Author’s recommendation
Safety information
The descent on the basalt cliffs requires a certain degree of surefootedness.In wet weather it can be quite slippery here.Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The path begins directly at the small parking lot to the left of a metal gate. The path leads flatly ascending through the meadow landscape always in the direction of a depression between the hills in the northwest. Even if the path sometimes gets a little lost, orientation is still unproblematic in normal visibility (no dense fog).
After about 45 minutes, the path meets a high pasture fence, which can be crossed by means of a step. Shortly afterwards the highest point of the hike is reached and the view opens up from the basalt cliffs over the Rubha Hunish peninsula in front of it.The path now leads through the incision between the rocks down to the headland. A bit of surefootedness is required here, as some areas are quite steep and slippery.Once you reach the bottom, the path continues to the peninsula. The small hill is recommended as a rest area to enjoy a panoramic view.
The path gets lost here now, but nothing stands in the way of exploring the headland.On the way back you follow the path back up to the edge of the cliffs. From there follow the path to the right onto a small hilltop, which again offers a wide view. Then the path slowly turns down to the left to the flat rocky coast of Duntulm Bay.
Shortly before the farmsteads, the path meets a stone wall, which is bypassed to the left. The path follows the wall to a vertical fence. Between the wall and the fence there is a narrow passageway, so that one can continue following the wall to a gate leading to a farm. You walk over the farmstead to a gravelled access road, which then leads to the main road A855. On the left there is a small lake. Follow the A855 to the left and after 700m you reach the small parking lot at the red telephone booth.
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Bus 57 runs from Portree to Duntulm. On request, the bus driver can also stop at the red telephone box near Kilmaluag.On the way back the bus can be boarded at the bus stop in Duntulm directly on the A855.
Getting there
From both directions, the red telephone booth at Kilmaluag stands out at the sharp curve of the A855. Here a short access road to a small parking lot branches off.Parking
Small car park after turning off at the red telephone box near Kilmaluag.Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Sturdy and waterproof hiking boots are an advantage.You should never lack other weatherproof clothing in Scotland.Statistics
- 1 Waypoints
- 1 Waypoints
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