Plan an Islay walking week

Explore an array of Islay walks

Islay is a paradise for walkers and hikers, offering a variety of walks and trails. Here you can take in stunning local scenery of beaches, moorland, lochs and mountains. Furthermore, you can experience the abundance of wildlife that inhabits this island. Deer, geese, birds of prey, otters, seals and much more!

There are so many walks to choose from. Take in the historical sites including standing stones and prehistoric artefacts. Pay tribute to the lives lost in shipwrecks in the First World War on a walk around the cliffs of Oa to the American Monument. Head up the summit of Beinn Bheigier and take in the spectacular views from the top. Below, we’ve put together a guide to some of the different parts of Islay that are perfect for exploring on foot.

Bowmore walks

We’ll start with Bowmore, the town where our pizza restaurant is located. Bowmore is the main town on Islay and there are lots of fantastic local walks around here. These include the Laggan Point Loop, Lochindaal Way, Bridgend Woods and Dùn Nosebridge. You can find further information about these routes on our Bowmore walks blog.

Nature reserves

Our island is home to a wide variety of wildlife, on sea, land and in the air. With more than 200 bird species, numerous mammals and other creatures, this place offers a treasure trove for nature enthusiasts. Explore these two beautiful nature reserves and bring your binoculars for an up-close view; RSPB Loch Gruinart and The Oa RSPB Reserve.

Bays and beaches

Islay boasts some of the world’s most stunning beaches. Spanning 130 miles of coastline, the island features numerous hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Some of our favourite beach walks are Machir Bay, Saligo Bay, Lossit Bay, The Big Strand and Sanaigmore Bay.

Hillwalks and hiking

Islay offers some excellent hillwalking opportunities, showcasing our island’s natural beauty, diverse wildlife and stunning coastal views. Our top hillwalks include Beinn Bheigier, Beinn Mhòr and Sgarbh Breac.

After a long day walking, forget about cooking and spoil yourself! Come along to Peatzeria and we will fuel you up, ready for your next walk! Call us on 01496 810810 or email us here for more information. If you are looking for accommodation, we recommend Islay Cottages here. Happy walking and we hope you enjoy whatever trail you embark upon!