Guide to the Quiraing Walk: Viewpoints, Map and Parking
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The Quiraing is one of my favourite places on Skye.
The best way to see it is on the Quiraing walk described here. The views are iconic and it is the best short hike to do on Skye.
You need at least 1 hour to get to the best viewpoints, but 3-4 hours would allow you to do the full circular walk.
Having visited the area several times I have put together this guide covering the circular walk and the best Quiraing viewpoints.
Where Is the Quiraing Located?
The Quiraing is located north on the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
It is close to Portree, the largest town on Skye.
What Are the Best Quiraing Viewpoints?
The below three Quiraing viewpoints are my favourite. You pass all of them on the circular walk.
The first two are close to the Quiraing car park and give you the iconic Quiraing views. The third viewpoint is where the circular trails loops back.
All three viewpoints are marked on the map shown in the section below describing the Quiring walk.
1. The Quiraing Lookout
The name says it all. The viewpoint is at the highest point so means climbing up the long hill from the car park. To be honest you have done the hardest part of the hike at this point.
To get here walk up the hill opposite the car park and keep left when the path splits.
2. By the Tree
This is my favourite viewpoint. The lone crooked tree adds to the dramatic landscape.
To go straight to the viewpoint keep right when the path splits shortly after you leave the car park. On the circular walk this viewpoint is towards the end.
3. Rubha Hunish and the Atlantic
This viewpoint is where the path loops around and you start walking back towards the car park. The scenery here is completely different.
In front of you is the Rubha Hunish peninsula and the Atlantic. To the right are craggy mountains.
The Quiraing Walk
The first decision you must make is where to park and therefore where to start the hike from.
There are two car parks, both marked with a P on the map above. The Flodigarry Hike Parking Lot (red circle) is further away and means a longer hike.
The part you don’t want to miss is the Quiraing Circuit which is marked in blue on the map above. It is easy to find and follow the path.
I recommend only doing the Circuit. I did not think the extra walk from Flodigarry (marked in red) was spectacular enough to make the extra climb worth it.
Quiraing Circuit Trail
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Distance: 6.5 km
Time: 3-4 hours
Do the route in a clockwise direction. The reason is that as you come over the hill you have views to the Rubha Hunish peninsula and out to the Atlantic.
That means that at the start of the trail you should keep left when the path from the Quiraing car park (blue circle with a P on the map above) splits.
At the top of the hill stop and turn around for fantastic views of the Quiraing.
Quiraing Circuit Trail & Flodigarry
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 11 km
Time: 4-5.5 hours
What makes this route longer and more difficult is that you must climb from about sea level and up to the start of the Quiriang Circular Trail.
At the T-junction with the path for the Quiraing Loop take to the left to walk in the same direction as recommended above.
I did not think this addition was worth it. The scenery does not make up for the longer walk.
What Is the Best Time of Day to Visit?
Rather than time of day what matters most is the weather. You want a clear day and note that the path can be slippery on a rainy day.
Another thing to think about is parking.
The Quiraing is one of the most popular things to see on Skye and the car park is small. It fills up early in the morning so visit first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.
An added bonus is that these times are often when the weather is more likely to be clear.
Can You See the Quiraing Without Hiking?
You get views from the road through the Quiraing mountain pass. However, the views are not nearly as good as the ones you get when doing the hike.
For the best views of the Quiraing you don’t need to do the whole circular walk. Read the section above which covers viewpoints and pick one of the two viewpoints close to the car park.
You still need to do quite a bit of climbing to the viewpoints but it will be a much shorter hike than the full circular walk.
Quiraing vs Old Man of Storr Hike
The two hikes are very different. The Old Man of Storr hike is just to see the unique rock formations. There are limited views along the way.
You walk up the hill and then back down the same path. The Old Man of Storr is a must-do whilst on Skye, but you do it for the views at the top not for the hike itself.
At the Quiriang there are spectacular views all along the hike. The scenery is varied and you do it for the hike itself, not a single view.
With one day on Skye I would do both of these hikes and visit Portree.
If you can only fit one in I would pick the Old Man of Storr. It is such an amazing view and unlike what you can see anywhere else.
How to Get To the Quiraing
Where Is the Quiraing Parking?
There are two car parks:
- The Quiraing Car Park: Marked in blue on the map above. It is a pay and display parking costing £3 for up to 3 hours or £5 for up to 6 hours. You can pay by card. Early or late in the day you have the highest chance of finding a space.
- Flodigarry Hike Parking Lot: Marked in red on the map above. This parking area should only be used by people who wants to do the longer hike. It also fills up early.
How to Get to the Quiraing by Public Transport?
To get the bus from Portree to Quiraing take the 57A. The route is around the Trotternish peninsula and it also stops at the Old Man of Storr car park.
The closest stop to the Quiraing is at Flodigarry Road End. It is a 10-minute walk from the Flodigarry Hike Parking Lot. Follow the hiking directions for the Quiraing Circuit Trail & Flodigarry Hike detailed above.
No buses run up the Quiraing mountain pass road.
Buses are operated by Stagecoach and take 40-50 minutes from Portree. On your return make sure you are travelling south or you will be taking the long way around the peninsula.
Check the latest schedule to plan your trip.
Final Thoughts on the Quiraing Hike
Park at the Quiraing car park and do the circular walk. Together with the Old Man of Storr hike they are the hikes on Skye you should not miss.
Arrive early in the morning or late afternoon for the best chances of finding a parking space. During the summer it remains light until late in the evening. During early mornings and late afternoons you are also more likely to have good weather.
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