Skye Trail Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Skye Trail is a 128 km (80 mi) hiking trail in Skye.

The Skye Trail is an unofficial route without waymarks on the route. The route is suitable for experienced backpackers as there are sections with no path and a long ridge traverse.

• Cicerone publish a guide book which is available as a paperback or ebook.
• WalkHighlands Skye Trail website.

See the Skye and Portree articles for details of getting to the island. You might start and finish your trail with buses from and back to Portree.

The walk start is served by Stagecoach buses 57A and 57C which run from Portree and Uig (57C only). The bus stop for the walk start is "Duntulm, Shulista Road End".

The walk end at Broadford has regular buses to Portree and Citylink buses to Glasgow and Inverness.

Map of Skye Trail

The trail begins at Rubha Hunish Skye’s northernmost point, with the trailhead at 57.683995-6.3256451 Rubha Hunish car park, following a rugged coastline with dramatic cliffs and sea stacks. Along the way, hikers pass the ruins of Duntulm Castle and the abandoned village of Erisco. The route offers panoramic views of the Outer Hebrides and frequent seabird sightings. Expect boggy sections and a short rocky scramble on an optional detour to Hunish headland. A burn crossing near Kilmaluag can be challenging after heavy rain. The stage ends at 57.66265-6.258522 Flodigarry, near a hostel and the Flodigarry Hotel, with views of the Trotternish Ridge and the Quiraing.

The trail ascends from Flodigarry onto the Trotternish Ridge, a nearly 30 km escarpment stretching along the peninsula. This is the most demanding stage of the Skye Trail, featuring rugged, pathless sections and steep climbs. The route passes through the Quiraing, a dramatic landslip with striking rock formations like the Needle and Prison. Views extend over the Sound of Raasay to the mainland and across Trotternish’s sea cliffs. The ridge undulates over several summits, culminating at The Storr (719 m (2,359 ft)). Navigation is difficult in poor weather, and there are no facilities along the way—carry sufficient water and supplies. The stage ends near 57.499293-6.1584333 Storr car park, offering close-up views of the iconic Old Man of Storr pinnacles.

The trail begins at Storr car park, offering an easier stage after the challenging ridge. A short road walk leads to rough moorland, then joins the dramatic coastal cliffs. Hikers follow a spectacular route along the cliff tops with stunning views over the Sound of Raasay. On clear days, the isle of Raasay and the mainland are visible. A side trip descends to Bearreraig Bay, known for fossils, while those who skipped The Storr may opt for a late ascent. The terrain begins pathless and boggy, but improves along the cliffs, where caution is needed near steep drops. The stage ends in 57.413056-6.1936114 Portree, Skye’s main town, with full services including accommodation, shops, and transport links.

From Portree, the trail follows a minor road through The Braes, a quiet crofting area with views of the Sound of Raasay. This section contrasts with previous rugged stages, passing peaceful coastal scenery. Historical note: The Braes was the site of the Battle of the Braes (1882), a crofters’ land rights uprising near Camastianavaig, though no markers remain.

The road ends at Peinachorran, where a rough but mostly flat footpath continues along Loch Sligachan. The route can be boggy, with Glamaig (Red Cuillin) dominating the view as the trail rounds the loch.

The stage ends at Sligachan 57.2893-6.175555 Sligachan, home to a hotel, bunkhouse, and campsite. The old stone bridge with the Black Cuillin backdrop is a classic photo stop, marking the gateway to more dramatic landscapes ahead.

From Sligachan, the trail follows Glen Sligachan, a wild valley flanked by the Black Cuillin and Red Cuillin. This remote stretch gradually descends toward the sea, offering dramatic mountain views.

Reaching Camasunary Bay, hikers are rewarded with a stunning panorama of the Cuillin across Loch Scavaig. A bothy here provides a rest or overnight stop. From Camasunary, the trail takes a narrow coastal path toward Elgol, clinging to steep hillsides high above the water. This section offers breathtaking views but is exposed and demanding, requiring sure-footedness.

In wet or windy conditions, the path can be treacherous—several fatalities have occurred here. Seals and occasionally dolphins can be spotted below.

The stage ends in 57.14892-6.100726 Elgol, a small fishing village with a community-run shop and boat trips to Loch Coruisk, an ideal side adventure into the Cuillin.

From Elgol, the trail follows a short road north through the crofting hamlets of Kirkibost and Keppoch before crossing boggy moorland toward Blà Bheinn (Blaven), one of Skye’s most striking mountains.

Looking back, hikers enjoy views of Elgol and the Small Isles, including Rùm and Eigg. To the south, the Sleat Peninsula stretches toward the horizon. As the route nears 57.219798-6.0427487 Blà Bheinn car park on Loch Slapin, the imposing peak of Blà Bheinn dominates the landscape. From here, the trail follows a minor road around the head of Loch Slapin, a sea loch with stunning turquoise waters on clear days, nestled between the mountain and the Strathaird Peninsula.

The terrain varies, with a mix of road walking and a marshy footpath in the mid-section. Livestock graze in these areas, so dogs must be kept under control. Compared to previous stages, this is a more relaxed day of walking. The stage ends at 57.211-6.0168 Torrin , a small village on the loch shore. Torrin has a seasonal café and a bunkhouse. Its white croft houses, framed by Blà Bheinn, create a picturesque setting to conclude the day.

From Torrin, the final stage follows an off-road route rich in history. The path winds northeast along the coast of Loch Eishort and Broadford Bay, passing the ruins of former villages.

This quiet coastal section provides scenic views of the mainland mountains and the Isle of Scalpay. The atmosphere becomes particularly poignant near Boreraig and Suisnish, two settlements cleared during the Highland Clearances. Only stone ruins and grassy outlines of blackhouses remain as a reminder of the 1853 evictions ordered by Lord MacDonald. An interpretive sign provides historical context.

The terrain consists mainly of grassy tracks and footpaths, with occasional boggy sections but minimal difficulty. Some parts lack a defined path, though navigation remains straightforward along the coastline. As Broadford approaches, the route transitions to a farm track and then a quiet road.

The trail ends in 57.241-5.9079 Broadford, Skye’s second-largest village, set against the backdrop of the Red Cuillin. Broadford offers full services, including shops, accommodations, and transport links. The finish line on the village green by the bay marks the end of a roughly 128 km trek from Rubha Hunish, leaving hikers with lasting memories of Skye’s diverse landscapes.