- There and back walk: 6.57 miles (including the Abbey
- what3words address for parking: ///elevates.flexed.valuables
- GPX File
There is a free car park at the what3words address – it can get busy at times but we never had a problem finding a space. As you approach the ferry at Fionnphort there are plenty of parking spaces beside the road, but they are all pay spaces. The ferry across to Iona is fairly frequent and cheap but make sure you know when the last ferry leaves Iona. At the moment (2025) you can buy ferry tickets online or from the ferry itself; the little ticket office at the pier seems closed.
There are a number of cafes by the ferry on Iona if you need something to eat as well as a small, well-stocked convenience store.
We chose to visit the abbey, nunnery, etc. before starting the main part of the walk and this is included in the gpx route but is, obviously, optional. And, of course, you could make a visit when you return; or, not bother.
The site itself is where St Columba founded his monastery and the walk to the southern end of the island takes you to the bay where he and his followers are alleged to have landed from Ireland. The abbey is very interesting and has a real presence. There is a fee for entrance although if you are a member of a partner organisation (English Heritage, CADW, Manx Members, Young Scot, STGA, SITOA card holders) there is a substantial discount so make sure you have your membership card with you. There are are lots of information boards around the abbey and a terrific museum. An audio guide is also available.
After the abbey we set off for St Columba’s bay in the south. Half of the walk is on local, tarmac lanes and crosses the width of the island before turning south across the golf course (watch out for flying golf balls and steer clear of the greens!)
The last section, when you leave the golfers behind, is a little more challenging: rough, stony tracks, some boggy sections and a narrow (steep in places) track leading off the higher ground down to the bay. Appropriate footwear is advised, as is a waterproof jacket – we were caught in a brief squall despite the blue skies. Fabulous views of the bay open up, although the views from the golf course section were equally gorgeous. At the bay a cairn is supposed to mark where St Columba’s boat was beached… we counted at least seven cairns…
This southern route is, by all accounts, quieter than another walk that covers the northern end of the island. You are unlikely to be alone but the walk is lovely and the views fantastic. Highly recommended
Download file for GPS
