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Sand Dunes at Balnakeil Bay

Sand Dunes at Balnakeil Bay

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Sand Dunes at Balnakeil Bay

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4.5

(9)

People Who've Recommended This Place

Ben

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Clive G

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Done

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Location: Durness, Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Take Me There

Tips

Clive G

January 12, 2026

Hiking

Impressive giant sand dunes back the two beaches and link the Headland to the mainland.

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Routes here

Best routes to Sand Dunes at Balnakeil Bay

4.8

(41)

159

hikers

1. Durness Beach – Balnakeil Beach loop from Smoo Cave

8.82km

02:22

110m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Cycling

Mountain biking

Road cycling

Running

Easy

Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.

Moderate

Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.

Hard

More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.

Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.

Moderate

4.8

(15)

hikers

2. Durness Beach – Durness Coastal Viewpoint loop from Smoo Cave

11.9km

03:14

170m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Cycling

Mountain biking

Road cycling

Running

Easy

Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.

Moderate

Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.

Hard

More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.

Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.

Moderate

4.8

(4)

hikers

3. Sand Dunes at Balnakeil Bay – Balnakeil Beach loop from Balnakeil

4.57km

01:13

50m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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How to understand each route’s difficulty level

Hiking

Cycling

Mountain biking

Road cycling

Running

Easy

Up to 2 hours and 1,000 ft. of elevation gain. Great for any fitness level.Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Corresponds approx.to SAC 1.

Moderate

Up to 5 hours and 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires good fitness.Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 2-3.

Hard

More than 5 hours long or 3000 ft. of elevation gain. Requires very good fitness.Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Corresponds approx. to SAC 4–6.

Technical difficulty rating based on the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) Hiking Scale.

Easy

Details

Informations

Elevation 20 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 3 March

11°C

4°C

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Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: Durness, Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Durness Beach

View of Sango Sands Beach

View of Loch Caladail

Clifftop Path at the Bay

Balnakeil Beach

View of Ceannabeinne Beach

View of the Kyle of Durness from Keoldale Standing Stone

Cocoa Mountain Coffee Shop

Durness Coastal Viewpoint

Sangomore Beach

Balnakeil House, Church Ruins and Beach

Dry Waterfall and Cave Entrance

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