The Cuillin Hills, a national scenic area on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, presents a dramatic landscape for outdoor pursuits. This region is characterized by two distinct mountain ranges: the jagged, dark Black Cuillin, composed of gabbro and basalt, and the more rounded, granite-based Red Cuillin. These geological formations create a diverse terrain, offering varied challenges and opportunities for several sports like hiking, jogging, mountain biking, road cycling, and more. The mountains rise directly from the sea, contributing to the area's scale and unique character.
The Cuillin Hills offer a wide array of outdoor activities across more than 100 routes. More than 137,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.55 out of 5 stars. Hikers can explore challenging mountaineering routes in the Black Cuillin or find more accessible trails in the Red Cuillin, with options ranging from Hiking in The Cuillin Hills to Family-friendly hikes in The Cuillin Hills. For those seeking faster-paced activities, the area provides Running Trails in The Cuillin Hills and various cycling options, including Road Cycling Routes in The Cuillin Hills and mountain biking trails.
105
Routes
4.6
(1612)
Average rating
12453
People visited

4.4
(619)
2,863
hikers
7.32km
02:10
230m
230m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(64)
656
hikers
8.73km
04:35
880m
880m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.8
(85)
559
hikers
9.61km
04:07
560m
560m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.8
(83)
458
hikers
7.28km
02:56
360m
360m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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29
riders
62.1km
04:38
690m
690m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

11
riders
55.4km
04:51
760m
750m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

3.6
(7)
61
riders
24.5km
02:05
360m
360m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

38
riders
22.6km
01:57
200m
200m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
56
riders
86.2km
04:05
1,120m
1,120m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
86
riders
105km
04:58
1,340m
1,340m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

58
riders
50.4km
02:23
650m
650m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
30
riders
23.5km
01:00
150m
150m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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3.0
(1)
52
runners
8.09km
01:07
310m
310m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

39
runners
9.56km
01:46
550m
550m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

18
runners
17.4km
02:07
280m
280m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.0
(1)
70
runners
6.47km
00:53
220m
220m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(6)
51
riders
84.0km
05:05
730m
730m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
55
riders
45.5km
02:54
560m
560m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
48
riders
49.6km
03:19
650m
650m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

21
riders
30.3km
02:43
710m
710m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
7
hikers
9.96km
05:31
920m
920m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4
hikers
15.5km
06:08
900m
900m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

2
hikers
13.3km
03:41
230m
230m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
8.05km
04:10
850m
850m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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The Cuillin Hills National Scenic Area offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and road cycling. Mountaineering is also a significant activity, particularly in the challenging Black Cuillin. The area features over 100 routes catering to various skill levels.
The Black Cuillin features jagged, dark, rocky peaks made of gabbro and basalt, offering challenging mountaineering and scrambling. The Red Cuillin, composed of granite, has a paler, reddish hue with more rounded hills and generally more accessible walks. They are separated by Glen Sligachan.
Yes, The Cuillin Hills offers family-friendly hiking options, particularly in the Red Cuillin and lower areas of the Black Cuillin. Routes like the Fairy Pools and Coire na Creiche Loop provide moderate trails suitable for families. More information can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in The Cuillin Hills guide.
Key natural features include the dramatic Black Cuillin ridge, the more rounded Red Cuillin, and Loch Coruisk nestled within the Black Cuillin. The Fairy Pools, a series of clear pools and waterfalls, are also a popular attraction. Sgùrr Alasdair is the highest point on the Isle of Skye.
Generally, permits are not required for hiking or hillwalking in The Cuillin Hills. The area is open access, but visitors should adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Specific activities like commercial guiding or large events might have different requirements.
Dogs are generally allowed on trails in The Cuillin Hills, but responsible dog ownership is essential. This includes keeping dogs under close control, especially near livestock, and cleaning up after them. Some areas may have specific restrictions during lambing season or for ground-nesting birds.
Sgùrr Alasdair, located in the Black Cuillin, is the highest point in The Cuillin Hills and on the Isle of Skye. It reaches an elevation of 3,255 feet (992 meters). The highest point in the Red Cuillin is Glamaig, at 2,543 feet (775 meters).
The Cuillin Hills is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 137,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The area's routes have an average rating of 4.55 out of 5 stars, reflecting its appeal to outdoor enthusiasts. There are over 100 routes available for various sports.
Yes, komoot offers guides for various cycling activities in The Cuillin Hills. These include Road Cycling Routes in The Cuillin Hills and MTB Trails in The Cuillin Hills. There is also a general guide for Cycling in The Cuillin Hills.
Public transport options to The Cuillin Hills are available, with some routes accessible from bus stations. Komoot provides a guide specifically for Hikes from bus stations in The Cuillin Hills, which can assist in planning access without a private vehicle.
The Cuillin Hills National Scenic Area is managed by NatureScot. While there isn't a specific website solely for the Cuillin Hills NSA, general information about Scotland's National Scenic Areas can be found on the NatureScot website. The official website for the Cuillin Hills is cuillinhills.co.uk.
Yes, The Cuillin Hills offers easy hiking routes, particularly within the Red Cuillin and lower elevations. These trails are suitable for beginners or those seeking less strenuous walks. Komoot provides a guide for Easy hikes in The Cuillin Hills.

