Fairy Pools Skye Walk: Everything You Need to Know (2022)
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Want to do the Fairy Pools Skye walk but need some more information? You’ve come to the right place! This guide will prep you with everything you need to know before your visit.
If you’re visiting the Isle of Skye or following my 7 day Scotland route, chances are you’ve heard about the magic of the fairy pools.
But what is the walk like to the fairy pools?
Situated at the bottom of the Black Cuillin mountains (which are an attraction in themselves) the crystal clear blue pools are a paradise for any nature lover.
Well, the fairy pools on the Isle of Skye have been carved by the flow of the River Brittle. And let me tell you, they look like something straight out of a film set.
Whether you choose to jump into the freezing cold water for a swim or appreciate the view from the surrounding rocks, the pools are a great day out for all ages.
The fairy pools Skye walk is a bit of a tough one, and is the reason why I wrote this post.
So if you’re afraid of heights, or are wondering if you can complete the walk to the fairy pools, you’re in the right place to find out!
Visiting Scotland? Check out the rest of my guides here:
- 7 Day Scotland Road Trip Route & Itinerary (2022)
- Where to Find Highland Cows in Scotland: Highland Cattle
- Isle of Skye Guide: Best Things to do on Isle of Skye, Scotland
- 13 BEST Things to do in Aviemore (+ Travel Guide!)
- Old Man of Storr Walk Guide: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Fairy Pools Skye Walk
How hard is the walk to the fairy pools from the car park?
Reaching the fairy pools is a rocky, uphill walk.
As I previously mentioned, the walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, or for someone with walking impairments.
This is due to the uneven terrain, numerous stepping stones that need hopping over and walking through (or leaping over) rocky streams.
As you leave the car park, you’ll head downhill, over a few cattle grids, and round a few metal gates.
Depending on the time you go, there will probably be a big crowd heading in the same direction, so it will be impossible to lose your way.
The first part of the journey is downhill, over loose gravel and stones, until you reach the first part of the uphill trek.
This is the part where I saw a few groups of people duck out, due to the need to jump over a few boulders to cross a stream.
The boulders are easy to walk or jump over (the dogs doing the walks were loving it), but some older visitors with walking sticks made a stop here to admire the view instead.
You’ll now begin to walk up to the fairy pools, which takes about 20-25 minutes more and is around 1.5miles until the first set of pools.
In summary: You will need to jump over boulders and rocks to cross streams on the fairy pool Skye walk, and walk uphill for at least 25 minutes.
Can you walk to the fairy pools if you’re afraid of heights?
None of the fairy pools Skye walk is too high (coming from someone with a big fear of heights), and there are no sharp edges or drops unless you go to the cliff edges surrounding the pools.
I’d recommend walking to the highest quarter of the pools.
The first few are the busiest, and some of them are quite hard to reach and require a bit of scrambling over rocky edges to reach.
If you’re like me, and want an easy route into the pools and back out, keep going up to the furthest quarter.
There are a number of pools that can be easily accessed both getting in and out, with no height fears being triggered!
Another great walk on the Isle of Skye you can do with a fear of heights is the Old Man of Storr, which you can read about here!
🗺️ When we were travelling Scotland, we used Take The Slow Road by Martin Dorey to help us decide on our next destination. If you’re looking for more recommendations of Scottish wonders, I also recommend this Scotland guide.
Getting to the fairy pools Skye walk
Getting to the fairy pools from the Skye Bridge will take you around 60 minutes, or from Portree around 35 minutes.
Unfortunately, there is no public transport which will take you near, so it’s either a car or a bike!
The drive to the fairy pools is part of the experience.
The drive overlooks the stretch of the Black Cuillin mountains and is one you won’t forget for a while.
The road to the fairy pools is a single stretch, with lay-by passing places dotted along the road for you to dip into to avoid ongoing traffic.
After driving along this road for around 10 minutes (more if there’s a lot of oncoming traffic), you’ll reach the first car park, which is further up the mountainside.
This higher car park is about a 10-minute extra walk to the fairy pools and is completely free to park in.
There is a larger car park just a few minutes further downhill, but it is chaotic and will cost you £8 for a motorhome, or £5 for a car (2022 prices).
But, they have toilets and they’re fairly easy to drive out of (once you’ve faffed around parking for hours).
From the car park, expect at least a 30-minute fairy pool Skye walk, which is more like 40 if you stop for photos.
🗺️ If you’re going to be swimming in the sea or lochs, I’d recommend getting a Syncwire Waterproof Case. I’ve had mine for a few years and I’m able to swim underwater, take photos and videos and keep my belongings safe when I’m in the water!
What to pack for the fairy pools Skye walk
- Whilst out during the day, I use a tote bag to hold my belongings like my camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big beach bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!
- If you’re going to be swimming in the fairy pools, I’d recommend getting a Syncwire Waterproof Case. I’ve had mine for a few years and I’m able to swim underwater, take photos and videos and keep my belongings safe when I’m in the water!
- A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst driving! If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on it to get you from A to B.
- If you’re going to swim, make sure you pack a Microfibre towel (and this one linked is super pretty too). They make life easier when getting in and out of the water, they’re portable and easy to carry on any kind of day trip. I’ve had mine for years and use it at every swimming spot!
- You don’t necessarily need hiking boots, but I wore mine on the walk. It made the walk a lot easier and I was much more stable, plus they helped me with other walks around the island. You can buy my favourites here.
- Finally, make sure you pack water in an insulated water bottle. I use this Chilly one, which keeps my water freezing cold for over 24 hours! There aren’t any shops near the fairy pools so it’s really important to be prepared.
What to expect on the fairy pools Skye walk?
The fairy pools on the Isle of Skye are one of the main tourist attractions on the island.
With this in mind, you’re likely to be sharing your experience of the fairy pools with quite a few other people!
As someone who hates being around huge crowds whilst travelling, it actually wasn’t too bad on our fairy pool Skye walk.
Due to the number of different pools, you’re more than likely to find your own area to swim in without having to share.
The busiest time is midday-late afternoon, so arrive early if you want to avoid the swarms of eager fairy-searchers.
If you want to go a bit further than the fairy pools, some use them as a starting point for their hikes into the surrounding mountains. Just be sure to track your hike, using the AllTrails app or research, and ensure you’re going on a path that is safe to do so.
If you want to go a bit further than the fairy pools, some use them as a starting point for their hikes into the surrounding mountains.
Just be sure to track your hike, using the AllTrails app or research, and ensure you’re going on a path that is safe to do so.
If you’re still booking flights, I recommend checking lastminute.com for the latest deals. Recently, we were able to save £50 on our flights just by booking through Last Minute!
How long do you need for the fairy pools Skye walk?
I’d recommend dedicating at least half a day to spend at the fairy pools.
The walk to the pools themselves will take you at least 30 minutes, added on to the chaos of parking, driving there, and actually enjoying the pools, you’ll definitely need half a day.
We wished we had budgeted a longer amount of time there (but being there in the dark would have been a disaster).
The busiest time is midday-late afternoon, so arrive early if you want to avoid this.
🗺️ Booking hostels? I always use Hostelworld as their deals are usually the cheapest. They also have reviews from other backpackers, and explain the vibe of the hostel (party, chill, social…) so you know exactly what you’re booking.
Fairy Pools Skye Walk: In a Nutshell
I loved visiting the fairy pools on the Isle of Skye.
The water is beautiful to swim in, and the surroundings are just stunning.
Are you planning a visit to the fairy pools on the Isle of Skye? Let me know in the comments below or on Instagram! I’d love to hear from you 🙂
Happy travelling!
Jennie 🙂 x
🗺️ My Scotland must-have: I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!
Other Scotland posts:
- Isle of Skye Guide: Best Things to do on Isle of Skye, Scotland
- 7 Day Scotland Road Trip Route & Itinerary (2022)
- Where to Find Highland Cows in Scotland: Highland Cattle
- 13 BEST Things to do in Aviemore (+ Travel Guide!)
- Old Man of Storr Walk Guide: Isle of Skye, Scotland
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