Day 1 - Arrive in Castlebay, Barra
Arrive at your accommodation where you will stay for the night.
Day 2 – Vatersay to Ardmhor
Your day will start with a taxi transfer to the start of the walk in Vatersay. You can choose to visit Bàgh à Deas beach, the southernmost beach of the islands and dip your toes in the ocean, before you start the walk. You will be on the coast, circumnavigating Heiseabhal Beag (172m) before crossing the first causeway to the island of Barra. From here you will be heading up the western flank of Beinn Tangabhal (332m), before joining the road to Craigston, which leads to the highest peaks, on Barra. On arrival in Ardmhor, make your way to your accommodation for the night.
22km (14 miles), 760m (2490ft) of ascent
Day 3 – Ardmhor to Daliburgh via ferry to Eriskay
Today starts with a ferry to the Isle of Eriskay. Once you arrive in Eriskay, you are treated to a stunning coastal walk to Howmore including the next causeway to the Isle of South Uist.
18km (11 miles), 95m (312ft) of ascent
Day 4 – Daliburgh to Liniclate
For your walk today, you will leave the coast and travel over moorland, between the bodies of water, inland, following the way markers. At Carnan, you cross the causeway from South Uist to Benbecula, where the path follows the coast again north to Aird. There is then a short road walk to the settlement of Liniclate where you will stay for the night.
46km (29miles), 205m (672ft) of ascent
Day 5 – Liniclate to Lochmaddy
The Way today, takes you in land again, starting along the road before heading up the path to bag the summit of Ruabhal at (124m). As you arrive in the settlement of Gramsdal, you will start to see the next causeway crossing to the Ilse of Grimsay and as you reach the end of this causeway, the next one comes into sight to take you onto North Uist. From Carinish, you head away from the west coast, meandering across the moorland between the lochans to Langais. By walking around Beinn Langais (90m), you pick up a track by the main road, that takes you to Stumore. From here it is a short walk down to Lochmaddy for your overnight stay.
43km (27miles), 435m (1428ft) of ascent
Day 6 - Lochmaddy to Berneray
Leaving Lochmaddy, you head north, along the A865. When you get to the village of Blathaisbhal, you go around the western side of Blathaisbhal (109m). After a short walk along the road, you will be back to following the way markers across the moorland between the multiple freshwater lochans for about 2km. The route now goes north, along the sandy beaches before heading up the southern slopes of Beinn Mhòr (190m) with an opportunity to take the summit and experience some stunning views. The journey down from the summit takes you past Beinn Bhreac (148m) and onto the road overlooking Port nan Long. Take the causeway over the Sound on Berneray to Stone on the Isle of Berneray for your overnight stay. Take some time to explore the island before taking the ferry in the morning.
17km (11miles), 315m (1030ft) of ascent
Day 7 – Berneray to Horgabost via ferry to Leverburgh
You are now over halfway through the chain of Isles and today, you take the ferry to Harris, notably more mountainous than the trip so far. This is a tough stage as the route from the ferry terminal takes you along a peat road before heading up Gleann Uachdrach. The path then takes you above the white shell beaches, reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean. At Scarista, you head off over the moorland, which is occasionally pathless and boggy, but keep looking for the waymarkers. You will eventually meet the track into Horgabost, for your overnight stay.
16km (10miles), 390m (1280ft) of ascent
Day 8 - Horgabost to Tarbert
Your walk today might be classed as the most stunning part of the Hebridean Way. You follow an old coffin track which winds its way through the lower mountain ranges of Liana Horgabost, Beinn Sheileboist, Carran and along the Bealach Eòrabhat to Likisto. There is then a mixture of paths and roads meandering their way around the villages, lochs and hills to Tarbert, the capital of Harris.
27km (17miles), 880m (2880ft) of ascent
Day 9 – Tarbert to Aline
Today, your walk will be along roads and low-level paths, with mountains on either side. You will follow the path through the Gleann Lacasdail and over the Bràigh an Ruisg mountain pass giving amazing views of Maaruig and Loch Seaforth. The old road continues around Client Ard before joining the main road again. As you cross the bridge over Abhainn à Mhuil, say goodbye to Harris and hello to Lewis, as this is the border! The main road will be with you now until you reach Loch Ille Chìopain when you will take a meandering path up to the summit of Griamacleit (155m) before descending through the Aline Community Woodland.
22km (14 miles), 660m (2160ft) of ascent
Day 10 – Aline to Laxay
There is a path alongside the main road which you will walk until Arivruaich, when you will be back to walking across the raised turf moorland, which can also be boggy. The route brings you into Baile Ailein, where you will join the main road again all the way to Laxay, where you will stay for the night.
18km (11miles), 340m (1115ft) of ascent
Day 11 – Laxay to Stornoway
Your last days walking starts by heading back across the moorland, meandering around lochs and hills, Cnoc Mòr Shòbhail (132m) and Stèiseal (116m) being the first two hills. You will summit Oidreabhal (107m) before dropping down to Achamore, one of the few landlocked villages on Lewis. From Achamore, it is road walking the rest of the way to Stornoway. The scenery will be as you’ve already enjoyed, lochs and hills with the occasional woodland, with trails to explore if time and energy permit. Once you reach Stornoway, make for Lews Castle, the official end of the Hebridean Way. Congratulations, what an amazing achievement!
22km (14miles), 460m (1505ft) of ascent