If you are looking for a waterfall that offers access to a plunge pool for frigid wild swimming, add Lealt Falls to your Skye bucket list.
The falls flow from the River Lealt at a height of 90m!
A dedicated platform takes in the upper and lower falls for visitors who prefer to experience the water from dry land.
Those who are able can take the steps down to the beach and lower falls – I missed this during my last trip.
However, there is no handrail, and it can get slippy when wet.
This attraction has a small car park (upper and lower), but no toilet facilities; a snack truck is parked at the top car park.
Lealt Falls does get busy but doesn’t experience as much footfall as the next waterfall on our itinerary…
Getting There & Parking
Lealt Falls sits right beside the A855 on Trotternish, north of the Old Man of Storr and on the way to Kilt Rock. There is a car park at the top, which makes it one of the easiest sights on the island to reach.
Short paths lead from the car park to two viewpoints: one over the gorge and waterfall, the other out along the cliff toward the sea.
What to See
The Lealt River drops through a deep gorge on its way to the coast, and the viewpoints look down on the falls and out over a black-sand bay far below. In the 19th century diatomite was processed here and shipped from the shore, and traces of that industry remain.
Because it takes only minutes from the car, it is an ideal stretch-your-legs stop while touring the peninsula, especially strung together with Kilt Rock just up the road.
Best Time & Tips
- Keep back from the unfenced cliff edges, especially in wind
- Best combined with Kilt Rock and the Storr on a Trotternish loop
- After rain the falls run hardest
- Only 20 to 40 minutes needed, so easy to slot in
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lealt Falls easy to reach?
Yes, very. There is a car park right off the A855 and only short paths to the viewpoints, making it one of the quickest stops on Trotternish.
What is there to see at Lealt Falls?
A waterfall dropping through a deep gorge, a clifftop view over a black-sand bay, and remnants of a 19th-century diatomite industry that once shipped from the shore.
Is Lealt Falls safe for children?
The viewpoints sit near unfenced cliff edges, so keep children close and stay back from the drop, particularly in windy weather.