How to Hike to Brothers Point on the Isle of Skye: A Hidden Gem
Brothers Point is easily one of the most beautiful hikes on the Isle of Skye coast. The trail offers breathtaking views of the rocky coastline, ocean, cliffs, and surrounding landscapes. If Brothers Point is not on your Isle of Skye itinerary, you should add it!
Brothers Point was a last-minute addition to our Scotland itinerary, and I am so happy we added it! I randomly came across a photo of it, which made me instantly add it to our must-see attractions list. And let me tell you, it was breathtaking!
If you want to hike to Brothers Point on the Isle of Skye, this guide is the perfect place to start planning it! It has everything you need to know about hiking to Brothers Point.
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How to Get to Brothers Point
Brothers Point is about a half hour north of Portree on the Isle of Skye. The parking lot is off A855, and it is very small, only fitting a handful of cars. The trailhead is across the street and has a few signs leading you where to go.
Because Brothers Point is becoming an increasingly popular hike, the parking lot fills up quickly. We stayed at The Glenview, right across from the trailhead, so we did not have to stress about finding parking.
I recommend hiking it in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid most crowds. We hiked it after dinner and only saw one other hiker.
The trail passes nearby private properties, so as always, please be respectful. The trail also has sheep, and you should never feed or approach them. Although they are cute (we saw so many babies!), they are not meant to approach.
When to Hike to Brothers Point
Although you can hike to Brothers Point year-round, the best time is in the late spring and summer. The trail crosses a river that becomes impassable when it rains heavily, making the rainy season not the best time to hike it.
We hiked it in early May and did not have any issues crossing the river. The water level was relatively low, allowing us to rock-hop our way across.
Although it was not raining when we visited, the trail was wet and muddy. We were glad we had waterproof hiking boots!
Brothers Point Hike Overview
Brothers Point is one of the most beautiful hikes along the coast on the Isle of Skye and should be on every bucket list! We were in awe of the beautiful coastal views!
Once you get past the first section near the private properties, the trail is hard to follow. As always, I recommend having a map to help you stay on trail.
The first part of the trail descends towards the rocky coastline before steeply ascending to the viewpoint overlooking Brothers Point. If you want to continue to Brothers Point, the trail has a steep drop-off on the first section before ascending steeply to the top.
The trail continues down a steep section before flattening out to the edge of Brothers Point, where you get breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs.
Brothers Point Hiking Stats
Length: 2.1 miles (3.4 km) round trip
Elevation gain: 300 feet (91 meters)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Best time to hike: Summer and Fall
Facilities: The closest restrooms are in Staffin.
Brothers Point Trail Map
What to Pack for the Hike
Scotland is known for its rainy and moody days, and the highlands are no different. The weather is also unpredictable on the Isle of Skye, making it crucial to pack the appropriate gear.
You should have hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothes, a rain jacket, and a hiking backpack with food and plenty of water.
Hiking Brothers Point Isle of Skye: Step-By-Step Guide
Brothers Point in the Isle of Skye was one of our favorite hikes! The views of the ocean, cliffs, and mountains were stunning, and we were so glad we added it to our itinerary. I know you will quickly fall in love with this hike when you visit!
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in, leave no trash, and stay on designated trails.
Brothers Point Trailhead to the Gate
Brothers Point Trail begins on A855 on a gravel driveway. The trail passes through private property, so please be respectful when hiking it!
Once on the driveway, you will see a sign pointing towards Brothers Point (also known as Rubha nam Brathairean), and you will continue to hike along the gravel driveway.
At the end of the driveway, the trail passes through a gate before turning right towards the rocky coast. The Brothers Point Trail has a sign right after the gate pointing you in the correct direction.
This section of the trail also passes through a farm with a lot of sheep, so please be mindful of them while hiking! We saw so many cute baby sheep when we hiked to Brothers Point.
The Gate to the Bog
Once the trail reaches the ocean, it crosses a river, which might be impassable after heavy rain. We visited in the drier season in Scotland, so we did not have any issues crossing it and easily rock-hopped our way across it.
After the river crossing, the trail becomes faint. You will see a warning sign about the steep cliffs, with the faint trail next to it.
This section of the trail travels through a bog, which can make your feet very wet, making it crucial to wear proper footwear. We were glad to have our waterproof hiking boots because the bog was very wet and muddy.
The Bog to the Peninsula
Soon after the bog, you will see a trail ascending towards Brothers Point. This section of the trail is steep with a long drop off, so it is not for the faint of heart. We definitely hugged the side of the trail as much as we could to make ourselves feel better!
Once you hike across it, you get a breathtaking view looking towards Brothers Point. You can either stop here or continue onto the peninsula.
We almost turned around here, but we saw another hiker further along the trail and decided to follow them to the point of the peninsula.
The Peninsula to Brothers Point
We decided to continue to Brothers Point to explore more, which was so fun! The trail heading towards Brothers Point becomes faint again as it travels onto the peninsula.
It then becomes very steep as it climbs to the top of the highest point, but the views at the top are stunning and worth the effort! We were in awe of the 360-degree views overlooking the surrounding land, beach, cliffs, and ocean.
We stopped here to enjoy the views, but you can continue to the tip of the peninsula if you want! The trail descends steeply from the tallest point before flattening out as it travels along the peninsula.
No matter where you decide to stop on the hike, you will quickly see why Brothers Point was one of our favorite trails in the Isle of Skye!
Brothers Point to the Trailhead
Once you enjoy the views, you will follow the Brothers Point Trail back the way you came. Once you visit Brothers Point, it will quickly become one of your favorite things you saw on the Isle of Skye!
If you want to hike to Brothers Point on the Isle of Skye, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about hiking to Brothers Point.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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