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The Skye Trail
A challenging backpacking route from Rubha Hunish to Broadford
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.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
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781786311863
Availability
Published
Published
28 Nov 2023
Edition
Third
Pages
112
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x .60cm
Weight
130g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
Map key
Overview map
INTRODUCTION
Early history
The MacDonalds and the MacLeods
Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald
The Highland Clearances
The crofters’ struggle
Skye today
The Cuillin pioneers
Geology
Wildlife and plants
Culture, music and language
Preparation and planning
When to go
Travel
Money and communications
Accommodation
What to take
Navigation and maps
Access
Weather
Midges and ticks
Safety and emergencies
Using this guide
THE SKYE TRAIL
Stage 1 Rubha Hunish to Flodigarry
Stage 2 Flodigarry to the Storr
Stage 3 Storr to Portree via the coastline
Stage 4 Portree to Sligachan
Stage 5 Sligachan to Elgol
Stage 6 Elgol to Torrin
Stage 6B Blà Bheinn alpine variant – Camasunary to Torrin
Stage 7 Torrin to Broadford
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Glossary of Gaelic words
Appendix E Further reading
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
November 2024
Torrin Bunkhouse
Torrin Bunkhouse (page 89) – no longer needs to be booked 3 weeks in advance (still has to be booked in advance) but now only accepts bookings for at least 2 nights.
November 2024
Dun Flodigarry Hostel
Dun Flodigarry Hostel at Flodigarry at the end of Stage 1 has now closed permanently and no longer offers accommodation or camping. There is a hotel at Flodigarry as well as nearby B&Bs
August 2024
Updates
P52 Camping is no longer permitted at Dun Flodigarry Hostel
P81 The position of the MBA bothy marked on the map at Camusunary has changed; a new bothy is now located directly on the Skye Trail just where the route turns east near the water at Camusunary Bay.
P89 Mrs Mack's Takeaway – seasonal food truck usually parked on the Skye Trail just before Torrin (check Facebook for opening times www.facebook.com/MrsMacksFarmShop)
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