Fairy Pools Skye Walk: Everything You Need to Know (2023)
Some links in this post contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use the links at no extra cost to you! Happy reading 😀
Want to do the fairy pools Skye walk but need some more information? You’ve come to the right place! This fairy pools Isle of Skye guide will prepare you with everything you need to know.
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 to the fairy pools like?
Situated at the bottom of the Black Cuillin mountains, (which are an attraction in themselves) the crystal clear blue pools are paradise for any nature lover. But, the walk to the Fairy Pools isn’t as straightforward as we might like it to be.
In the following post, I explain everything you might need to know about the iconic fairy pools in Scotland. If you’re worried about the walk, how to get there, or whether or not it’s for you, keep reading!
Visiting Scotland? You might also like:
- 7 Day Scotland Road Trip Route & Itinerary
- 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
Fairy Pools Skye Walk: A Summary
The fairy pools on the Isle of Skye have been carved by the flow of the River Brittle. Whether you choose to bravely jump into the freezing cold water, or appreciate the view from the sidelines, the fairy pools are a great day out on the Isle of Skye.
As the fairy pools are one of the main attractions on the island, you’re more than likely to be sharing the experience with many other tourists. But, due to the number of fairy pools in the area, you’re more than likely to find your own area to swim in without having to share (hooray!).
However, the busiest time is midday and afternoon, so arrive early if you want to avoid the swarms of eager fairy searchers. 🧚🏼♂️
If you want to walk off the beaten track from the pools, you can use them as a starting point for some of the best hikes in the Black Cuillin mountains.
Where to stay for the Fairy Pools walk
If you’re looking to stay on the Isle of Skye when visiting the magical fairy pools, I recommend the following accommodations:
🛏️ For budget backpackers, the best hostel on the Isle of Skye for solo and budget travellers is The Cowshed. If you’re a solo traveller on the Isle of Skye, this is the perfect place to stay to meet other backpackers and be right in the centre of the action.
🌳 Best Airbnb on the Isle of Skye: Knock View Apartments. If you’re a couple or group looking for somewhere to stay on the Isle of Skye, this apartment is perfect.
🏨 Best Hotel on the Isle of Skye: Duisdale House Hotel. If you’d rather stay in a hotel, I’d recommend this one on the Isle of Skye for great prices.
Getting around the Isle of Skye
If you can, take a car to get around the Isle of Skye. You don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport, and to be honest, public transport on the island isn’t reliable.
In addition to this, buses don’t run frequently (they’re usually over an hour apart) and are known to drop you off in the middle of nowhere – and nowhere near where you’re trying to get to!
Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!
How to get to the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye
🚗 HOW TO GET TO THE FAIRY POOLS BY CAR
Travelling to the fairy pools by car is part of the experience. The drive leading up to the Black Cuillin mountains is one of the most scenic and beautiful drives in Scotland. From the Skye Bridge, it’s around a 60-minute drive. Or, if you’re staying in Portree, the drive shouldn’t take you longer than 35 minutes.
The road to the fairy pools is a single stretch, dotted with lay-bys for you to dip into to avoid the oncoming traffic. After driving along this road for around 10 minutes (or more, depending on how many cars are on the road) you’ll reach the first car park.
➡ Need to hire a car for the fairy pools drive? Check out this company. We’ve hired cars from them all over the world – they’re cheap, reliable and have great customer service!
🚌 HOW TO GET TO THE FAIRY POOLS BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Unfortunately, at the time of writing this, there aren’t many public transport options to reach the fairy pools, and your best option is to either hire a car or order a taxi to reach them.
However, there is a bus that runs from Portree to the Sligachan Hotel. From this hotel, it’s a 5km hike to the fairy pools.
Fairy Pool opening times and prices
The fairy pools are free to visit, but you do need to pay for parking. When we visited last, it was £5 per car in the main car park.
But, there is a free car park a little further away from the fairy pools. Just ten minutes from the main car park, there’s one that doesn’t cost a thing to use. If you can get a space, it’s a great option for a budget day out!
As for opening times, the fairy pools are open at any time of day. Some visitors have enjoyed being around the pools for sunset or sunrise, and some like to take a picnic and enjoy lunch by the water. This is down to you.
Personally, I would make sure to be back at the car park before nightfall, as doing the fairy pools Skye walk whilst it’s dark may be tricky!
Parking at the fairy pools
There is a car park (which is about a 10-minute extra walk to the fairy pools) that 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 messed around parking for hours).
From the car park, expect at least a 30-minute fairy pool Skye walk, which is more like 40 minutes if you stop for photos.
Best time to visit the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye
If you’d like to swim in the fairy pools, I recommend visiting in the summer months (June-August). Unless you like cold water swimming, any other time may be a little too cold (*practices Wim Hof breathing techniques*).
But if you simply want to visit the pools to enjoy the views, they’re a 365-day-a-year experience. In winter, you can expect snow on top of the Black Cuillen mountains, and a magical haze over the pools. It definitely adds to the dramatic fairy atmosphere!
We visited the fairy pools in August. Whilst it was busy, we still had our own space, and our own pool to swim in. Yes, it’s peak time, but they’re big enough for everyone to enjoy!
Fairy Pools Skye walk: Route description
How hard is the walk to the fairy pools from the car park?
Just how hard is the fairy pools walk? As much as I’d love to say the walk is accessible for all, it just isn’t. There are segments of rocky, uphill terrain, and stepping stones over rushing streams. Jumping from rock to rock (or walking through the stream) is needed at certain points of the walk.
Let’s be clear – the fairy pools walk is not strenuous, difficult, or challenging. But it’s also not a casual five-minute stroll from the car park. It’s an uphill hike, around 30-40 minutes from the starting point. If you are unable to use stepping stones, walk on uneven terrain, or on a gradual uphill incline for 30 minutes, the fairy pools walk may be a little tricky.
One thing that is certain – it’s impossible to get lost from the car park to the fairy pools. There’s really only one route (straight) and all of the other tourists visiting will be heading in the same direction.
See the photos below of the terrain on the fairy pools walk. 🧚🏼♂️ 👇🏼
🧚🏼♂️ Fairy Pools walk: FAQs
1) Are the Fairy Pools in Skye worth visiting?
Yes! The fairy pools on the Isle of Skye are so worth visiting. From the beautiful scenic views of the surrounding mountains to the crystal-clear natural waters of the pools, they are a unique (and magical) experience in Scotland.
2) Is it an easy walk to the Fairy Pools?
Yes, the walk from the car park to the first fairy pools is a fairly easy walk. However, it is around 30 minutes, and there are parts of loose gravel, uneven terrain and stepping stones. But anyone with moderate fitness levels can complete the fairy pools walk.
3) How long is the walk to the Fairy Pools Skye?
Dedicate at least half a day to spend for the fairy pools. The walk to the pools takes at least 30 minutes, and then you want enough time to swim and really soak up the magical atmosphere. 🧚🏼♂️
I wish we had a bit of extra time here (we had to leave because the sun was setting), so next time we visit, we’d head there a little earlier.
2) Why are they called fairy pools?
All over the Isle of Skye, you will see and hear of things being named after fairies and fairy legends. This is down to the story of Clan Mcleod of Dunvegan, the chief who married a fairy princess. Another tale states that the fairy pools attracted mythical creatures, such as selkies, who would transform into human form at night to soak in the light of the full moon. 🧚🏼♂️
Whether or not you believe the folklore, the crystalline waters with undertones of green and blue give enough reason to believe the pools of water are fairylike. When you visit, it is easy to see why they have been nicknamed ‘fairy pools’!
3) Is the fairy pools Skye walk difficult?
Not necessarily. To reach the fairy pools from the car park, it is around a 30-minute walk, with rocky terrains and stepping stones. Most will be able to complete this walk without any worry. If in doubt, you can stop at any point on the walk and admire the view of the mountains from where you are.
4) Can you walk to the fairy pools if you’re afraid of heights?
Yes, absolutely! There isn’t any part of the fairy pools Skye walk that is too high (coming from someone with a big fear of heights), and there are no sheer edges or drops.
Related post: Hiking the Old Man of Storr: a great hike for those with a fear of heights! 🏔️
5) What to pack for the Fairy Pools walk
As reaching the fairy pools is fairly easy, you don’t have to worry too much about packing anything in particular apart from your swimsuit and a towel. However, if you’re likely to walk off the track and explore more of the area, I would recommend:
- A lightweight waterproof jacket
- Hiking boots (that won’t slip) – these are my favourites for any kind of weather
- An umbrella
- A waterproof day bag
- A waterproof phone case (which can also be used for wild swimming when it’s sunnier)
- A portable charger
- Lots of layers
- A GoPro for waterproof camera footage
- A waterproof backpack cover
- A chilly bottle to keep your water at a drinkable temperature
- A Dry Robe, as it helps to keep you warm when entering and leaving the water (even if it’s raining!)
- As well as using bug spray, we have midge repellent wristbands.
6) Do you need a car on the Isle of Skye?
If you can, take a car to get around the Isle of Skye. You don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport, and it isn’t that reliable.
Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!
Fairy Pools Skye Walk: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye. When you’re planning a trip to Scotland, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Scotland content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other posts you might like:
- 7 Day Scotland Road Trip Route & Itinerary
- 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
LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT!
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
Thank you so much for the detailed information, especially the photos of the terrain on the path! I’m planning a trip with my parents (in their 70’s) and grandfather (92), and most reviews are something like “it’s an easy walk, anyone can do it!”
Finding really practical details like yours has been incredibly difficult, very much appreciated! I begin to question if there’s really any point in us going to Skye since every site seems to require miles of rugged walking.