The Fairy Pools Walk

i Image by elxeneize

Overview

The Fairy Pools Walk: Short Skye Waterfall Hike

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

443

Ranked #443 of 974

See the Top 100 →

HikeList Score

The Fairy Pools Walk scored 81/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 51
Balanced challenge 100
Scenery & wildness 85
Varied terrain 89
Accommodation 92
Food & support 61
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Fairy Pools Walk is a short out-and-back hike in Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, beneath the Black Cuillin. The standard route is 2.4 km return from the Fairy Pools car park to the main waterfall and pool, taking 1–2 hours with photo stops. It is easy to moderate: there is no technical difficulty, but expect uneven gravel, rock, boggy patches and slippery stepping stones after rain. It suits walkers wanting a quick Skye outing with clear pools, waterfalls and Cuillin views.

Route Overview

Start and finish at the Fairy Pools car park on the single-track Glenbrittle road, reached via the B8009 and minor road near Carbost and Glenbrittle. From the car park, the path crosses the road, descends gently towards the burn, then follows the Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh upstream through Coire na Creiche. The lower section has a wide, firm gravel path and footbridges; higher up it narrows, with rockier and muddier ground. The route passes a sequence of waterfalls and clear pools, with Sgurr an Fheadain and Waterpipe Gully ahead, before most walkers turn back at the upper pools. For a tougher Scottish mountain walk, compare the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail.

Coire na Creiche and the Fairy Pools name

The pools’ name is more recent than it sounds: there is no genuine fairy folklore tied to the site, with “Fairy Pools” first appearing in a 1931 guidebook and then being popularised by visitors. The surrounding corrie has older, documented history. Coire na Creiche means “corrie of the spoils” and is associated with the Battle of Coire na Creiche in 1601, traditionally described as the last clan battle on Skye between the MacDonalds and the MacLeods.

Notable highlights

The Fairy Pools: Clear aqua-blue plunge pools and small waterfalls on the Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh. They are popular for photography and cold-water swimming, though the water is very cold.

Black Cuillin backdrop: The walk looks straight towards the jagged Black Cuillin, the dark gabbro mountain range that dominates this part of Skye. The contrast between the low glen, clear water and sharp skyline is the main visual draw.

Sgurr an Fheadain and Waterpipe Gully: This sharp pinnacle sits ahead of the path, with the deep cleft of Waterpipe Gully running down its face. It gives the short walk a strong mountain feel without climbing high.

Coire na Creiche: The corrie above the pools carries the history of the 1601 Battle of Coire na Creiche. The name means “corrie of the spoils”, adding context to a place many visitors know only for the pools.

Wildlife: Look for red deer, sheep and rabbits on the hillsides, with ravens, meadow pipits, grey herons and curlews around the glen. Golden eagles range over the Cuillin.

Challenges to expect

The walk is short but not pavement-smooth. The lower path is firm gravel, while higher sections can be narrower, rocky, boggy or muddy after rain. Two or three stream crossings use stepping stones, which can be slippery or impassable in spate. Winter can bring ice and high water; late spring to autumn is easier, though midges and crowds are common. For longer coastal planning in Scotland, see the Assynt Coastal Path or Arran Coastal Way.

443

Ranked #443 of 974

See the Top 100 →