Lealt Falls is a 90-metre waterfall plunging down a narrow, tree-lined gorge carved by the River Lealt into the Sound of Raasay on the Trotternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye, Scotland.
This guide covers opening times, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting this accessible waterfall with recently constructed viewing platforms.
This British waterfall is a popular stop on Isle of Skye tours.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening times | Open 24 hours, year-round. Site is unstaffed and always accessible. |
| Admission | Free entry. Free parking. |
| Address | A855, 1 kilometre south of Culnacnoc, Staffin, Isle of Skye, IV51 9JY, Scotland |
| Getting there | 13 miles north of Portree on the A855. 4.3 miles south of Staffin. No public transport. 20 minutes from Portree by car. |
| Time needed | 20 to 45 minutes for viewing platforms only. Add 1 to 2 hours if descending to lower falls and beach. |
Lealt Falls opening times
Lealt Falls is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The site is unstaffed with no gates or operating hours. Visitors can access the viewing platforms and trails at any time.
Best viewing times: The waterfall is most impressive after heavy rainfall when water flow is highest. Spring (April-June) typically provides strong flow from snowmelt and rainfall. The water often appears orange-brown due to peat from the surrounding moorland.
Lighting conditions: The gorge faces east, with the upper viewing platform looking west towards the falls and Trotternish Ridge. Morning light (08:00-11:00) provides better illumination of the waterfall. Late afternoon and evening light can be challenging due to shadows in the gorge.
Seasonal considerations: The site is accessible year-round but the steep descent to the lower falls and beach becomes dangerously slippery in wet weather and is not recommended during or after heavy rain. Winter months (November-March) see frequent wet conditions. Opening times and admission information were checked and updated January 2026.
Lealt Falls admission and parking
Entry to Lealt Falls is completely free. There are no admission charges to view the waterfalls or access the viewing platforms.
Parking is free in two car parks:
- Upper car park: Smaller parking area accommodating approximately 10-15 vehicles. Constables Coffee Truck operates permanently from this location.
- Lower car park: Larger parking area accommodating approximately 20 vehicles. Created in 2023 by Staffin Community Trust. No marked bays. Surface is gravel.
Both car parks operate on a one-way system. Enter from the main A855 road travelling north (from Portree direction). Exit back onto the A855 further along.
Disabled parking spaces are located immediately on the left as you enter the lower car park. The sign is on the fence rather than painted on the ground.
Maximum vehicle height in the main lower car park is 2 metres. Higher vehicles, including some motorhomes, should use the roadside spaces or upper car park.
Peak season (June-September): Car parks can fill between 10:00 and 16:00, particularly weekends and during good weather. Overflow parking is limited. Arriving before 09:00 or after 17:00 improves availability.
How to get to Lealt Falls
From Portree, drive north on the A855 for approximately 13 miles (20 minutes). The car parks are well-signposted on the east (seaward) side of the road, approximately 1 kilometre south of the village of Culnacnoc.
From Staffin (north), drive south on the A855 for 4.3 miles (8 minutes). The car parks appear on the right-hand side.
From Inverness or mainland Scotland, cross the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh then drive north via the A87 and A855. Total distance from Skye Bridge to Lealt Falls is approximately 50 miles (1 hour 20 minutes).
No public transport serves Lealt Falls. The area is accessible only by private vehicle, bicycle or as part of organised tours. Several tour operators include Lealt Falls on Trotternish Peninsula itineraries.
Road conditions: The A855 includes single-track sections with passing places. Drive cautiously and use passing places to allow oncoming traffic. The road can be busy during peak season.
Parking at Lealt Falls
Two free car parks serve Lealt Falls:
Lower car park (main car park):
- Capacity: Approximately 20 vehicles
- Surface: Gravel, no marked bays
- Disabled parking: Dedicated spaces immediately on the left as you enter
- Vehicle height limit: 2 metres maximum
- Facilities: Portable toilets (seasonal), picnic area (accessed via steps or slope)
Upper car park:
- Capacity: Approximately 10-15 vehicles
- Constables Food Truck operates permanently (hot food, drinks, refreshments)
- Smaller and fills earlier than the lower car park
One-way system: Enter from the A855 and exit further along. Do not reverse back onto the main road.
Pedestrian access: Pedestrian exits from the car park are through wooden kissing gates which are not accessible for wheelchair users. Wheelchair users should use the vehicle entrance/exit.
How long to spend at Lealt Falls
Most visitors spend 20 to 45 minutes viewing the upper falls from the platforms and coastal viewpoint.
Upper viewing platform only: 15-20 minutes (5-minute walk from car park plus viewing time)
Upper viewing platform plus coastal viewpoint: 30-40 minutes (platforms are 250 metres apart, approximately 5-minute walk)
Descent to lower falls and beach: Add 1-2 hours. The steep descent takes 20-30 minutes each way, plus time exploring the beach, ruins and lower falls.
Total visit with beach and lower falls: 1.5-2.5 hours
Visitors combining Lealt Falls with other Trotternish attractions (Old Man of Storr 10 minutes south, Kilt Rock 5 minutes north, Quiraing 15 minutes north) typically allocate 30-45 minutes for Lealt Falls.
Accessibility at Lealt Falls
The upper viewing platform is partially accessible from disabled parking spaces. From the dedicated disabled parking bays on the left as you enter the lower car park, cross carefully to the right-hand side (take care with traffic entering from the main road). Follow the slope uphill; the ground levels out with good grip underfoot.
The viewing platform itself has good grip and handrails for those requiring support. The platform extends over the gorge and may feel exposed for those uncomfortable with heights, though it is sturdy and safe. Wheelchair users can access this viewpoint with assistance.
Limitations:
- Pedestrian exits via wooden kissing gates are not wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair users must use the vehicle entrance/exit route.
- The second coastal viewpoint platform involves walking 250 metres along a gravel path with minimal elevation change but uneven surface.
- The descent to the lower falls and beach is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. The path is extremely steep, uneven and becomes slippery when wet.
Accessible toilets: Portable toilets are located in the lower car park (seasonal availability).
What to see at Lealt Falls
Upper Falls: The main waterfall plunges 90 metres down Lealt Gorge in two tiers, cascading through a narrow, tree-lined canyon into the Sound of Raasay. The recently constructed suspended viewing platform provides excellent views of both tiers and looks west towards the Trotternish Ridge mountains in the background. The falls are most dramatic after rainfall.
River Lealt: The water often appears orange or brown due to peat from surrounding moorland. This is natural colouration, not pollution.
Coastal viewpoint (second platform, 250 metres east): Overlooks the Sound of Raasay with views north to the Isle of Raasay and Rona, and east to the mainland Scottish Highlands. The platform looks down on ruined bothies (stone huts) used historically by salmon fishermen, and the remains of the Victorian diatomite factory.
Industrial heritage: The area contains remnants of the Lealt Valley Diatomite Railway, a narrow-gauge tramway built in 1889 running parallel to the River Lealt. Diatomite (a type of sedimentary rock used in matches, paint, cosmetics and filters) was extracted from mines at Loch Cuithir, transported via tramway to the processing factory on the coast, then loaded onto boats bound for the mainland. The enterprise operated until the early 20th century.
Lower falls and beach (steep descent): The beach provides access to the base of the lower falls with a large plunge pool. Swimming is possible but the water is extremely cold year-round. Sharp rocks exist in places; water shoes recommended. Ruins of old salmon smokehouses and the diatomite factory can be explored on the beach.
Important safety note: The steep path to the beach is dangerously slippery in wet weather. Do not attempt the descent during or after rain. Crossing the river at the beach may not be possible during high tide without getting wet.
Practical tips for visiting Lealt Falls
| Tip |
|---|
| Visit after heavy rain to see the falls at maximum flow. Check weather forecasts; recent rainfall significantly increases water volume. |
| Do not attempt the steep descent to the lower falls in wet conditions. The path becomes dangerously slippery. Wait for dry weather. |
| Bring waterproof and windproof clothing. Weather on Skye changes rapidly and the coastal location can be windy even on clear days. |
| Watch children closely near cliff edges. There are no fences along parts of the gorge and drops are steep. |
| Constables Food Truck in the upper car park provides hot food and refreshments if you want a warm drink after viewing the falls. |
| Visit early (before 09:00) during summer to avoid crowds and secure parking easily. |
| Continue 250 metres to the second viewing platform overlooking the coast. Many visitors miss this viewpoint but it offers excellent coastal scenery. |
Facilities at Lealt Falls
At the car park:
- Portable toilets (seasonal, typically May-October)
- Information boards explaining the area’s geology and industrial history
- Picnic area with benches (accessed via steps or slope from lower car park)
- Constables Coffee Truck (upper car park) – hot food, snacks, hot drinks, ice cream
- No drinking water available
No facilities exist on the viewing platforms or trails.
Nearest services:
- Staffin (4.3 miles north): Small village with shop, café (Columba 1400), toilet facilities and accommodation. Staffin Dinosaur Museum displays Jurassic fossils found on Skye.
- Portree (13 miles south): Main town on Skye with supermarkets, restaurants, accommodation, petrol stations and visitor information.
Frequently asked questions about Lealt Falls
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the descent to the lower falls safe? | Only in dry conditions. The path is extremely steep and becomes dangerously slippery when wet. Do not attempt during or after rain. |
| Can you swim at Lealt Falls? | Swimming is possible in the plunge pool at the base of the lower falls, but water is extremely cold year-round (typically 8-12°C even in summer). Sharp rocks exist; wear water shoes. |
| Are there toilets at Lealt Falls? | Portable toilets are available in the lower car park seasonally (typically May-October). Nearest permanent toilets are in Staffin (4.3 miles). |
| Is Lealt Falls suitable for children? | The upper viewing platforms are suitable for all ages if children are supervised near cliff edges. The steep descent to lower falls is unsuitable for young children. |
| Is there phone signal at Lealt Falls? | Mobile phone coverage is limited and unreliable. Download maps and information before visiting. |
| How long is the walk to the viewing platform? | Approximately 5 minutes from the lower car park along a good gravel path to the first platform. The second coastal platform is a further 5-minute walk (250 metres). |
Walking to the lower falls and beach
The steep descent begins near the lower car park and drops approximately 100 metres to the beach. The path is:
- Extremely steep with uneven, natural surface
- Dangerously slippery when wet – do not attempt during or after rainfall
- Not suitable for those with mobility issues, young children or inexperienced walkers
- Takes 20-30 minutes to descend, 30-40 minutes to climb back (steep uphill return)
At the beach, follow the path around the steep hill to reach the base of the lower falls and the large plunge pool. Explore ruins of the Victorian diatomite factory and old salmon smokehouses.
Crossing the river at the beach may require wading during high tide. Check tide times before descending if you plan to access both sides of the beach.
Return ascent is strenuous. Ensure you have sufficient fitness and energy for the steep climb back to the car park.
Things to do near Lealt Falls
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls (5 kilometres north, 8 minutes) is a dramatic coastal viewpoint where basalt cliffs resembling a pleated kilt rise from the sea. Mealt Falls (90 metres) plunges directly into the Sound of Raasay. Viewing platform accessible from free car park on the A855. Free entry.
Old Man of Storr (10 kilometres south, 15 minutes) is a 55-metre-high basalt pinnacle and Skye’s most iconic landmark. The trail climbs 2.9 kilometres (1.8 miles) roundtrip with 235 metres elevation gain to viewpoints below the pinnacle. Car park charged (£6 for up to 6 hours). Allow 1.5-2 hours.
Quiraing (11 kilometres north, 15 minutes) is a dramatic landslip with jagged rock formations including The Needle, The Prison and The Table. The 6.8-kilometre loop trail takes 2-3 hours. Car park near Staffin. Free parking but fills early during peak season.
Brother’s Point (Rubha nam Brathairean) (6 kilometres south, 10 minutes) is a lesser-visited coastal headland with stunning views and fewer crowds. The 3.6-kilometre roundtrip trail takes 1.5-2 hours. Free parking on the A855.
Staffin Dinosaur Museum (4.3 miles north in Staffin village) displays Jurassic fossils and dinosaur footprints found on Skye’s beaches. The museum explains the island’s 165-million-year-old geology. Admission charged. Check opening hours.
An Corran Beach (5 kilometres north near Staffin) features dinosaur footprints visible on rocks during low tide. The beach is accessed from Staffin village. Free entry. Tide-dependent viewing.
More Scotland travel
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- Explore Scottish history at Fort George and Culloden Battlefield.
- How – and why – to get to the Commando Memorial in the Scottish Highlands.
- A practical visitor guide to Eilean Donan Castle.
- What you need to know before visiting Attadale Gardens and Strome Castle.
