Outer Heb-walk
Walking the Coast of Vatersay: A Complete Coastal Walk in the Outer Hebrides
Key Facts
- Location: South of Barra, Outer Hebrides
- Size: 960 hectares
- Terrain: Free range on faint paths; some easy scrambling and route finding around steep rocky inlets
- Access: Road Bridge
- Height gain: 546 metres
- Map: OS Explorer 452 Barra and Vatersay
- Starting point: South end of the causeway. Grid ref. NL 637 975 (or anywhere on the coast)
Vatersay walk summary
This is a longer walk that mostly follows faint animal paths that criss-cross the machair, grass, rocks and rough grazing on the edge of this island. There are easy scrambles on each of the headlands with stunning beach crossings at Tràigh Bhàrlais, Tràigh Siar and Bàgh a’ Deas. The coastline is deeply indented and provides plenty of opportunities to explore the deep shafts and rock pools for their rich sea life. The island can also be walked in two shorter sections by using the beach carpark on the tombola as the staring point.
Vatersay walk route description
Full route description for the Vataersay walk can be found in our book ‘Islandeering; adventures around the outside edge of Britain’s hidden islands’; or download the route and GPX below.
Free range walk along Vatersay coast
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