Point of Sleat Coastal Walk, Skye
Highlands
The Point of Sleat is the southernmost tip of the Isle of Skye, a low rocky headland reached by a walk through some of the most varied and unspoiled terrain on the island. The route from the car park at Aird of Sleat passes through coastal oakwood, crosses heather moorland, descends to a series of small sandy coves and eventually reaches the lighthouse on the point with views south across the Sound of Sleat to the Knoydart mountains and east to the mainland at Mallaig. Unlike the more famous northern Skye landmarks this corner of the island receives relatively few visitors and retains a quality of quietness and wild character.
This is a superb dog friendly walk with high off-lead potential across the moorland and coastal sections. The coastal oakwood is particularly rewarding for dogs, with its diverse ground flora and birdsong throughout spring and summer. The sandy coves en route provide swimming access in sheltered, clear water. Livestock risk is low on the approach moorland. The relative obscurity of the Point of Sleat means this walk delivers an experience of Skye that feels genuinely remote and discovered, away from the queues at the Fairy Pools and the Old Man of Storr. The Armadale ferry terminal for the crossing to Mallaig is a practical way to include this in a wider Highland itinerary.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Moorland, Woodland
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
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