The Table and the Needle at the Quiraing

The Quiraing combines both majestic mountains and the mysteries of the Isle of Skye. The landscapes are magnificent.

Technical sheet

270722
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 381 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 378 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 518 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 252 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: By car, take the small road from Brogaig to Uig. After a steep climb up a narrow road which makes 2 hairpin bends, you will come out onto a flat area with a small car park, where you can park.

(S/E) Set out to the northeast from the car park. Follow the path which begins by climbing upwards. Ignore a path off to the left and keep going a short distance until you reach a crossing (this is the return path).

(1) Continue along the path to the right. It levels out along the mountainside at about 300m.

(2) Cross several streams. Some cliffs rise up above the path on the left, which begins to climb again.

(3) Make your way around the Table and the Needle by the right hand side. After going through a lush little green valley, the path, which had flattened out again, begins to climb up steeply to the northwest.

(4) Go over a stile and follow the path along the ridge to the left.

(5) Enjoy the beautiful views of "the Table" from above, which is flat and covered in a meadow of soft, green grass. Continue gently down along the ridge.

(6) Follow the path, which is quite easily visible, through the meadows.

(7) Walk back down to the left along a direct path down the slope, always keeping left.

(1) Come back onto the path you took at the start, turn right, and make your way back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 257 m - Small car park
  2. 1 : km 0.23 - alt. 262 m - Loop connection
  3. 2 : km 1.07 - alt. 301 m - Crossing several streams
  4. 3 : km 2.07 - alt. 317 m - Around the massif
  5. 4 : km 3.22 - alt. 335 m - Fence crossing device
  6. 5 : km 4.36 - alt. 510 m - Above The Table
  7. 6 : km 5.32 - alt. 422 m - Pastures
  8. 7 : km 5.84 - alt. 331 m - Go down on the left
  9. S/E : km 6.3 - alt. 257 m - Small car park

Practical information

As with most walks in Scotland, there are very few signposts or waymarks to indicate the way.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 25645577

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

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Bauxerre
Bauxerre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely walk.
Work in progress (July 2024): steps on the way back. As a result, the descent is slippery. Good hiking boots are essential.

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Bauxerre
Bauxerre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice walk but it's difficult to park near the start.

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Mimissa
Mimissa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The walk is magnificent and the views breathtaking. The path isn't always easy and I wouldn't recommend it with children, especially if it's raining.

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Kerficel
Kerficel

Hello
I did the hike counter-clockwise.
I think it's cooler.
I went all the way to the end where there is a panoramic view.
Good hike, the 2 are possible depending on the weather.

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Pierre Michel
Pierre Michel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Thanks for the clear explanations. However, I thought I'd read (from my mobile phone) that you recommended climbing to the left first, which is what we did and which seemed much more pleasant than doing the circuit in the opposite direction. Let's just say that the effort is intense in that direction at the start, but the end is much smoother. I can't find this recommendation on your information sheet... But you could suggest it to future hikers.

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Kerficel
Kerficel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We had a lovely walk
In August, the heather is in bloom, it's magnificent.
It's a must-do when you're in Portree or UIG on the Isle of Skye.
When it's windy, it's not easy to find shelter for the picnic on the return loop.
Lots of people at the start but they don't do the walk.
Poles are needed if it has rained and perhaps at the bottom of the 200 metre descent.

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Boucroda
Boucroda

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We were lucky enough to do this tour in dry weather and with plenty of sunshine! The views are magnificent, so of course it's a bit crowded!
The route is not signposted but it's hard to get lost as it's very well marked. In wet weather, the last descent can't be pleasant without poles! But as you're on the grass it's safe!
An unmissable walk!

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moliere8
moliere8

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Walk done in May 2023.
Very nice walk. Sublime views. Quite a lot of climbing and a lot of descending.
Poles recommended.
I really enjoyed it.
A must-do before leaving SKYE.

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Floepwillem
Floepwillem

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

After heavy rains the week befor, the path as described in stages 6 and 7 had been washed out. Conditions were really boggy and slippery to the extend of dangerous at times. This walk is not to be advised in wet conditions.
However, we enjoyed the marvellous views!

caly26
caly26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent hike in fine weather. It's a bit uphill but can be done with the whole family. Magnificent views.

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chamvon
chamvon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

superb views all along the route
to avoid the hard climb up the table, shortly after point 3, a small loch for a rest and return by the same route, which is longer and the descent is easier.

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