This has been a long time coming! I have been watching the progress of the new dedicated long-distance walking route, the Hebridean Way, for what seems like years. And now it is being officially launched.
The Hebridean Way Walking Route runs the length of the west coast Scottish islands and takes in 10 islands, six causeways and two ferry crossings.
It extends almost 160 miles and was developed by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar with support from the European Regional Development Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage.
It is the only dedicated walking trail to traverse the archipelago and will provide walkers with a great opportunity to discover all that the islands have to offer.
Stunning harris beach. Pic credit: Sunnydesert
Details of the Hebridean Way
The Hebridean Way walking route is 156 miles in total from Vatersay in the south to Lewis in the north and showcases the diversity of the environment.
See flower-filled machair overlooking stunning turquoise seascapes and fabulous wide white sandy beaches.
Listen for the call of the elusive corncrakes and spot ground-nesting birds in the fertile coastal plains.
Spot ruined duns (ancient castles) sitting on tiny islands in freshwater lochs and pass alongside stone circles and ancient burial mounds en route.
Climb hills that offer amazing panoramas over the islands or travel the famed Harris Coffin Road that provided a vital link between the settlements in the east and the burial grounds of the west in earlier days of island life.
Spend the night in a converted Hebridean black house hostel, or take the time to tour the new Harris distillery before pressing on toward the finish point at the fascinating Lews Castle Museum.
Hebrides machair. Pic credit: hazelisles
Made up of waymarked routes, existing tracks, newly created paths and stretches of quiet country roads, the Hebridean Way Walking Route can be walked over multiple days in one long outing or in sections over various shorter breaks.
Ian Fordham, of Outer Hebrides Tourism, said: “We are delighted to be launching the Hebridean Way Walking Route and we look forward to hearing about the experiences of the walkers who are the first to tackle it.
“Members of the Hebridean Way Project Team will listen to all feedback as we continue to develop the infrastructure and information provision so that we can ensure the Hebridean Way routes go from strength to strength to secure a place alongside other iconic long distance routes in Scotland.”
Hebridean Way bike route
A separate 185-mile Hebridean cycling route was launched last year with the help of endurance cyclist and adventurer Mark Beaumont.
See Visit Outer Hebrides.