Isle of Harris Walking Holidays, Scenic Routes Near Finsbay Cottages

There is something about Harris that settles the mind the moment you start walking. The island has a way of slowing everything down. The light fades in soft layers, the breeze shifts along the lochs, and the coastline curls into quiet corners that feel untouched. Staying at Finsbay Cottages places you right at the heart of this rhythm. It gives you a peaceful base where you can lace up your boots, choose a direction and step straight into some of the island’s most beautiful walking routes.

Many visitors come for the famous beaches on the west side of Harris, yet the walks around the east are equally rewarding. The Bays Road, which snakes along the rocky bays from Finsbay to Rodel, offers a mix of gentle sections and slightly more uneven stretches. It is perfect for those who like walking that feels wild yet still comfortable. The loch-side sections are calm in the morning, with low light settling on the water and a few seabirds moving between the islands along the shore.

The “velvet road”, one of the old grass roads which were used extensively, leading from the lodges to the other side of Finsbay and then back via the Bays road is a good circular walk passing The Mission Studio and Finsbay Gallery. Harris is full of these sections of old road which are perfect for getting away from the cars and having leisurely walks. The Beallach from Lacklee in the East to Seilabost in the west was the basis of Peter May’s book “Coffin Road”, as, among other things, it was used to transport the remains to the burial sites of the West coast, the East being to rocky to accommodate cemeteries.

The climb up Ceapabhal near Northton is one to remember. It is not long, but it rewards you with a sweeping view over the beaches below and looks across the Sound of Harris to Bernaray and the Uists. On a fine afternoon the colours from the summit look almost painted, with deep greens, bright blues and pale sand spreading out in every direction.

A short drive takes you to a different kind of landscape.

If you prefer something quieter, the paths near Rodel and the church of St Clement gives you gentle coastal walking. This is a good area for spotting seals, and you often see them resting on rocks near the shore. The coastline here feels older, shaped into small inlets and sheltered corners that soften the walk with a sense of stillness.

Back at Finsbay, you return to a cozy timber lodge that exudes a sense of calm that lets you drift into the evening without fuss. Many guests say that this balance matters as much as the walks themselves. The comfort at the end of the day becomes part of the holiday. A place to rest your kit, settle into a slow evening and plan the next day’s route.

Walking on Harris is never about rushing from one viewpoint to another. It is about letting the landscape unfold one step at a time. With Finsbay Cottages as your base, every walk starts and ends in a place that matches the pace of the island.

FAQ

Where are the best walking routes near Finsbay?

The Bays Road, the loch-side paths around Finsbay and the coastal routes near Rodel offer some of the closest and most rewarding walks.

Can I walk to any beaches from Finsbay?

The west coast beaches are best reached by car or bike (electric bikes can be hired from Leverburgh). They are around twenty to thirty minutes away, and the drive itself is scenic.

Is Harris suitable for beginner walkers?

Yes. There are plenty of gentle routes with firm ground and clear paths. More challenging climbs are also available for experienced walkers.

Book your stayIf a walking holiday on Harris sounds like what you need, reach out to us directly. Booking with us gives you the best rate and the smoothest experience from the moment you arrive.