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The Skye Trail

A challenging backpacking route from Rubha Hunish to Broadford

This guidebook describes The Skye Trail, a challenging week-long trek across the largest island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Skye. From Rubha Hunish in the north, the Skye Trail heads along the Trotternish Ridge and past the Cuillin to Broadford in the south. Suitable for experienced backpackers and mountain walkers.

Seasons

spring and summer are likely to be the best months for walking on Skye, with early May being popular to avoid the midges; longer daylight hours also make it possible to cover large distances

Centres

begins at Rubha Hunish at the northern end of Skye; passes through the island capital - Portree - after three days; finishes at the large village of Broadford

Difficulty

a week-long route for experienced backpackers; self-reliance, fitness and good navigational skills will all be called upon

Must See

the stunning headland at Rubha Hunish, the Trotternish Ridge, the spectacular rock scenery of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr, picturesque Portree, walking in the shadow of the mighty Cuillin, the abandoned village of Boreraig
ISBN
9781786311863
Availability
Published
Published
28 Nov 2023
Edition
Third
Pages
112
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x .60cm
Weight
130g
Overview

Guidebook to the Skye Trail, a challenging 80-mile (128km) trek that snakes its way north–south across the Isle of Skye. This unofficial, week-long route is ideal for backpacking, camping wild each night, but can also be walked between overnight accommodation.

  • Unwaymarked route on sometimes pathless terrain requires navigational skill, fitness and self-reliance, so is suitable for experienced mountain walkers
  • Seven daily stages of 7–18 miles (11–29km) in length, with an optional 6-mile (11km) alternative route via the summit of Bla Bheinn, one of Skye’s most spectacular Munros
  • Starts at Rubha Hunish at the northern tip of Skye, visits the capital Portree, follows Glen Sligachan between the Black Cuillin and Red Hills, before finishing in the south at Broadford
  • Highlights include the Trotternish Ridge, the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, the mighty Cuillin and the abandoned village of Boreraig
  • Clear route descriptions with full 1:50,000 OS mapping and elevation profiles for hillier stages
  • Includes details of refreshments, public transport and accommodation, notes on geology, history, plants and wildlife, and a glossary of Gaelic place names

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Helen Webster Cicerone author HWEBSTER

By Helen Webster

Helen is a firm believer that travelling on foot allows you to meet people and see things that would otherwise be overlooked and it's with this attitude that she co-founded the Scottish walker's website Walkhighlands in 2007. Originally from Devon, she has gradually been moving north and has lived and worked in the Scottish Highlands since 2005. She has co-authored 21 walking books about Scotland with Paul.

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Paul Webster Cicerone author PWEBSTER

By Paul Webster

Paul has a lifelong passion for walking and exploring the outdoors. In 2003-4 he undertook a 4000-mile continuous backpack across Europe with his wife Helen. After quitting a conventional career in York, Paul has spent many years living and working in Scotland and is the co-founder of the Walkhighlands website, a free online guide and forum for walkers in Scotland. He has co-authored 21 walking books with Helen and is currently on the local outdoor access panel for the Cairngorms National Park.

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