Walks
Throughout our walks we’ll be telling you the stories, explaining the history, geology, and geography of our landscape. We’ll also be keeping a look out for the wildlife and flora of Iona, and of course answer your questions about our spectacular island home .
We give you the choice of what and where you want to see. Covering the whole island from a very gentle wander though the village and nearby beaches around the pier to a complete coastal circumnavigation of the island! The starting point can be your choice The pier, the St Columba hotel or your accommodation. Conditions on the day play a big part in our decision of where and what we can explore, but well do our best to to give you the best possible experience.
Looking forward to helping you get the most from your time on our special island.
Below are our most popular walks.
Our Walks start from £30per person for half day walks ( min charge £60 )
full day walks £50 per person (min charge £100)
ISLAND SOUTH WEST
From the village to the sandy grasslands of the west, over heather moorland to the inspiring St Columba’s Bay.
Following the island road crossing to the wild west coast. Wander the mighty atlantic coast crossing hebridean grasslands and turning south over the wild moorland landscape taking in the vistas to distant islands. Understand the ever changing moods of the sea. Making your way to the iconic St Columba’s Bay.
This walk can take most of the day and requires a reasonable fitness over some rougher ground
FULL SOUTH ISLAND WALK
Leaving the village and heading south over lonely moorland and cliff top paths to a hidden abandoned quarry. From then progressing to St Columba’s Bay and on to fertile grasslands of the west and returning along the island road.
This walk discovers the unspoiled isolated south of Iona. Explore a hidden industrial secret. Take in the ever changing seascapes and endless sky. Search hidden beaches for timid wildlife. Roam over a landscape formed over millennia. Experience an ever changing sky. Stop to scour the famous St Columba’s Bay for the elusive St Columba’s tear. Then back over the hill to the unique Machair land of the west end and returning following the island road across the island’s middle among scattered island crofts and back to the island village.
To make the most of this route its best to take the whole day and some lunch, we add in a stop for lunch along the way. Really experience some of the more out of the way parts of the Island. with spectacular views across the coastline, sea, neighbouring islands and further
EAST AND WEST COAST
Passing through the village to the south along the east coast road, across to the west coast looking out for the spouting cave. Walking along beaches to the hidden sheltered Port Ban and an ancient hill fort.
This Walk lets you see the contrasting sides of the island. From the east coast with its busy village and regular ferry bustle we leave the crowds and follow the road south looking over the island Sound. Turning west through the island’s fertile middle to the Atlantic coastline to experience a landscape dominated by the changing power of the sea. Keeping a lookout for the island wildlife and unique plants of the Hebridean Machair. Hear of shipwrecks and tales of giants and fairies. Then on to the sandy shelter of Port Ban with its white sand and unexpected colours in the shadow of an iron age fort.
Suitable for most this gentler walk stays on even easy walking ground. This can be done in half a day ideal if your only visiting Iona for a day the island. Always a chance to paddle in the clear waters of the Atlantic.
NORTHEND BEACHES
A gentler walk to the north of the island along the road passing the Relig Oran and Abbey though the croftland with views over to mull and the surrounding islands. Leaving the road and experiencing the unique machair land of the Hebrides. Then taking time on the sandy beaches an navigating the variety of coast line and learning of the stories wildlife and history and place names of this well known part of Iona. For the slightly more adventurous the chance with time allowing to tackle the heights of Dun I.