The Skye Trail is wild & adventurous: it takes you along remote paths through the rugged Scottish Highlands of the Skye Peninsula. On this fascinating trail, you will cross the hills of the Trotternish Ridge, hike past the imposing cliffs of the Quiraing and along numerous coastal cliffs. Experience breathtaking views and a picturesque landscape that is often shrouded in mystical mist. An impressive hike awaits you in Scotland. I thought the tour was fantastic - Chapeau!
Content
1. Journey
2. Route
3. Accommodation
4. Weather and best time to travel
5. Further information
6. Recommended stages
7. Packing list
8. GPX and map information
9. Conclusion
Isle of skye trail
The Skye Trail is a popular long-distance hiking trail on the Isle of Skye that stretches over a length of 120 kilometres. The Isle of Skye, also known as the ‘Isle of Mist’, is located directly off the west coast of the Scottish mainland. A bridge connects the island with the north-west coast of Scotland. The island's landscape is characterised by its rugged cliffs, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles. It is also home to the famous Talisker whisky distillery. The idyllic village of Portree, with its picturesque harbour, inviting pubs and small shops, offers an ideal starting point for exploring the island. Let your adventure begin!
As always, I recommend my video about the Isle of Skye Trail:
Skye trail arrival
Flight: The best option is to fly to Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness. There are long-distance buses from all three cities that go directly to Portree. My experiences relate to Edinburgh Airport, as this was the most favourable for me in terms of time and price. Besides, I had always wanted to see Edinburgh - after all, it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. I highly recommend using Skyscanner to find cheap flights – it's a great app that gives you a quick overview of the best flight deals. Here you will find an overview of all the relevant airports for your journey.
Once you arrive in Edinburgh, take the 100 bus from the airport to the city centre, ideally near Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AD.
Tip: There is a ‘Mountain Warehouse’ nearby where you can buy gas cartridges. However, you should call ahead to check opening times and stock levels.
Bus: The Mountain Warehouse is just a few minutes' walk from Edinburgh Bus Station (Megabus, Citylink), practically round the corner. From there you can take the bus to Inverness. I highly recommend the OMIO app for booking bus and train tickets.
Tip: Pay attention to the price when buying your ticket - you may be able to take advantage of an Explorer discount. I received good advice at the information desk and was able to save some money.
From the bus station in Inverness, you can continue directly to Portree, you just have to change buses. On the bus journey to Portree, you pass the legendary Loch Ness, which was a particular highlight for me. As I travelled around Loch Ness, I reminisced a little about my childhood and the many fascinating stories about ‘Nessi’. Along the way you will also see numerous impressive castles and fortresses - so keep your eyes peeled, it's worth it!
Campsite: For your first night in Portree, I can highly recommend the free campsite ‘Skye Live Campsite’. Note, however, that there are no sanitary facilities or other amenities. The campsite is just a secluded meadow, but it is wonderfully quiet.
If you would prefer to stay in permanent accommodation, you will have to reckon with high costs.
Tip: Book your hotel or hostel early, as accommodation is often booked out quickly.
Skye trail route
The Skye Trail is 120 kilometres long in total, and you need around 5 to 7 days to complete it. I completed the hike in five days, which was quite sporty. For connoisseurs, I would recommend 6 to 7 days. The route leads over the Trotternish Ridge, the Black and Red Cuillin and along the coastal cliffs and steep slopes of the Highland Mountains.
There are several places to stop for refreshments on the hike - more on this later in the article!
Wild camping: In general, Scotland has a long tradition of ‘wild camping’, but this does not mean that you can simply pitch your tent on private land. Use common sense and choose a spot where you won't disturb anyone. And please don't leave any rubbish behind! (Information without guarantee, as the legal situation may change).
Skye trail stages
The Skye Trail can be easily divided into 5 stages. I completed the tour in five days and took advantage of the freedom of wild camping (you can find more about this further on in the article). In Portree and Broadford, I would recommend a room where you can take a break, clean your equipment and take a shower. You can divide the trail flexibly into five sections of about 23 kilometers each. In terms of altitude, each stage remains below 1000 meters, which makes the hike pleasantly feasible.
Stage 1: Rubha Hunish (red phone box) - Floodygarry approx. 11km
Stage 2: Flodigarry - Old Man of Storr approx. 24km
Stage 3: Old Man of Storr - Portree approx. 15km
Stage 4: Portree - Balmeanach approx. 15km
Stage 5: Balmeanach - Camasunary approx. 19km
Stage 6: Camasunary - Torrin approx. 20km
Stage 7: Torrin - Broadford approx. 23km
As wild camping is permitted, you can hike until you're tired and then simply pitch your tent. A wonderful feeling of freedom!
Isle of skye accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation along the Skye Trail, from cozy guest houses and hotels to opportunities for wild camping. During my hike, I exchanged ideas with numerous other hikers and received valuable tips and recommendations. Therefore, I would like to warmly recommend the following accommodation to you.
Wild camping: Scotland has a long tradition of wild camping. However, this does not mean that you can simply pitch your tent on private property. Use common sense to find a place where you will not disturb anyone. And please, don't leave any rubbish behind. ;) This information is not guaranteed to be correct as the legal situation may change.
Hut: There is a hut at Rubha Hunish and just before Elgol (Camasunary Hut) where you can spend the night. However, there is no food for sale there – the huts are freely available to hikers and are simply furnished.
Accommodation: If you want to stay in a hotel or guesthouse, you will have to expect high costs, with one exception: the hostel in Portree offers reasonable prices.
Tip: Reserve your hotel or hostel early, as they usually book up very quickly.
Stage 1: Floodygarry
Stage 2: Old Man of Storr
Stage 3: Portree
Stage 4: Sligachan
Stage 5: Elgol
Stage 6: Torrin
Stage 7: Broadford
Skye trail guide
Day 1: The morning began in the tent with the gentle sounds of birds and the smell of fresh grass. It was still quiet outside, with only the chirping of crickets and the babbling of a nearby stream to be heard. I was getting ready for a great day outdoors and savouring the feeling of freedom and adventure. I hope you experience similar sensations on your hike.
It's best to start your day early and head to the centre of Portree, to the bus station. Take the bus towards Duntulm Castle and get off at the old, dilapidated red telephone box where the Skye Trail officially begins. You can tell the bus driver that you want to walk the Skye Trail - he will then drop you off at the right place. From there you walk along the coast to Flodigarry and then on past the Quiraing Rock to Bioda Buidhe.
As there is no shade on the entire Skye Trail and you are also permanently exposed to the movement of the air, I recommend my beloved "Piz Buin Mountain" sun cream, as well as my ultra-light sun cap and wind blocker.
"The sun also shines behind the clouds." Quote from Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Wander
Tip: In good weather, you can spend the night at the top of the hill and experience a breathtaking sunset and a spectacular sunrise - an absolute goosebumps experience! In bad weather, you should definitely stay below or even descend. Pay particular attention to the correct behaviour during thunderstorms!
Day 2: I took my first look out of the tent and was greeted by a bright blue sky. I crawled out, took a deep breath of the fresh morning air and savoured the feeling of freedom and adventure once again. After a cup of tea and a small breakfast, I packed my things and prepared myself for the new day. Now it was time to gather my strength for the climb ahead. It's a sweat-inducing climb up and down the hills along a marvellous panoramic path. I would classify it as easy in good weather, but challenging in bad weather or fog. Then you have to pay particular attention to drop-off points! After the enchanting ‘Old Man of Storr’, the 48 metre high rock needle, your day ends at ‘Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing’. There you can enjoy another marvellous sunset!
Due to the long distance and the sweaty altitude difference, I would like to recommend my ultra-light hiking gear at this point:
I would also like to recommend my beloved Salewa trekking shoes because of the challenging mountain trails:
"Only where you have been on foot have you really been". Quote Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Day 3: A morning on the coastal cliff is simply breathtaking. The morning dew glistens on the leaves and grasses, while the sky is often still covered in a light haze. The sun slowly rises and bathes the horizon in a warm orange and red colour. You can hear the sound of the sea and the waves breaking on the cliffs, while the salty air revitalises your senses. After a light breakfast, you start the short descent along the coast to Portree. Keep your eyes peeled, as there are numerous impressive viewpoints along the way and in Portree. You can easily find many of them using Google Maps!
Don't forget to take an emergency bivouac with you. It consists of an emergency blanket that is cold-resistant, a whistle and a mini compass. It should be in your rucksack on every hike anyway.
As the old Scottish saying goes: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!"
You should take some time to visit Portree, as it is an incredibly charming coastal village with cosy pubs and a beautiful Scottish Gaelic harbour. There is also a supermarket there, which was even open on Sundays when I visited. To be on the safe side, you should research the opening times online yourself.
Tip: I can recommend the Scottish speciality haggis. It consists of the stomach of a sheep, the so-called ‘paunch’, which is filled with heart, liver, lungs, kidney fat, onions and oatmeal. To be honest, I had to get over myself a bit at first, but it was really tasty in the end. :D
The rest of the day you follow the coastal path, enjoying the salty sea air and hopefully good weather. I spent the next night at Sligachan Campsite. However, there are other places to camp along the coast, so you can shorten the stage if necessary. There is an inviting whisky bar near the campsite. The Sligachan Bridge, a historic stone bridge, was built around 1820 and is also worth a visit.
Day 4: I was surprised by a thunderstorm during the night. It felt like the world was coming to an end. But thanks to my excellently equipped tent and the well-chosen campsite, it was harmless in the end. So that it doesn't get dicey for you, please remember, as already mentioned, to observe the correct behaviour during thunderstorms!
In the morning, the air was cool and fresh - ideal for the start of a hike. After the historic bridge, follow the narrow path between the large hills, past the typical Scottish lochs, to Kilmarie. I ended my hiking day near the coast. Shortly before Elgol, you pass the Camasunary Bothy camping hut. You can also use it as a covered shelter.
Caution: Shortly before Elgol, there is a dangerous spot known as the ‘Bad Step’. However, I bypassed the ‘Bad Step’. In wet conditions, this passage is very dangerous as there is a risk of falling. If you want to avoid the ‘Bad Step’, simply follow my hiking route. I have linked a video of the ‘Bad Step’ below!
Bad Step: However, those looking for a little thrill and adventure with a heavy pack can cross the ‘Bad Step’ north-west of Elgol. The ‘Bad Step’ is a 10-15 metre high, extremely exposed passage along the coastal cliff. To reach it, you have to turn right at the fork in the road at kilometre 88 and then circle the 494-metre-high ‘Sgurr na Stri’ hill.
Tip: There are several variants along the coast, especially before Elgol. I opted for the easiest one on my tour! However, there are also numerous worthwhile hill and mountain hikes in the area.
There were also many birds, animals and plants to discover in the area. I spent the rest of the evening observing nature of all kinds. In summer, there is almost never complete darkness in the far north of Scotland. So a last wonderful evening in the great outdoors came to an end!
Day 5: All we could hear at night was the sound of the wind and the sea. In the morning, the chirping of the birds - a marvellous start to the day. After another night in the tent, I felt a tingling in my stomach on the last day and a thirst for adventure gripped me for the last stage of the Skye Trail. You then walk through the small fishing village of Torrin and on to Broadford, the end point of your journey. Just before Broadford, there are the Toren Pools - pretty waterfall pools that lie in the shadow of the mountains. Some of them are deep enough to swim in, which is the perfect activity to round off a leisurely day of hiking. I then treated myself to a room in Broadford to round off the hike in peace. You've reached your goal - congratulations! If you made it, you deserve my full respect. It wasn't an easy journey, but it was unforgettably beautiful.
Broadford is the second largest town on the Isle of Skye and the end point of the Skye Trail. Here you will find some nice restaurants, numerous B&Bs, a hostel, a few hotels, a bank, a pharmacy and a Coop grocery shop. From Broadford, you can take the Citylink bus back to Inverness, Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Skye trail trekking weather
The Isle of Skye Trail is quite challenging in bad weather. The fog can be extremely thick and it can rain an incredible amount. Good equipment is a prerequisite for this tour.
At that time of year, there was virtually no complete darkness in the far north of Scotland.
Wetness: If there is a lot of wetness, the tent site should be well chosen to escape the wetness of the ground. I would recommend an additional ultralight groundsheet.
"A Scottish fog soaks an Englishman to the skin"
Fog: In thick fog, absolute caution is advised over the Trotternish hills, as there are several crevices that can easily be overlooked. Good GPS navigation skills and careful walking are essential here. The entire trail is unmarked, but in good weather it is fairly easy to recognise due to the well-trodden paths.
Tip: If you have bad weather at the beginning, you can also start in Broadford and simply walk the route backwards. Skye has its own weather app, the ‘Winde-App’, which I would highly recommend! You can find it at the following link:
More information about isle of skye trekking
Money: Cash and credit cards are available in many places. However, you should not do without cash.
Mobile phone reception: I actually always had reception, even with LTE.
Bus and taxi: There are no buses on Sundays, but taxis are reasonably priced.
Water: You will almost always find water on the Skye Trail. On the mountains, there is an estimated small stream or water collection every 5km. However, you should always use a water filter The water may be clear, but it can still contain impurities, such as animal excrement or dead animals. However, you can also boil the water.
Surefootedness: To be safe on the trail, sure-footedness and the right footwear are the most important factors - after all, falls due to tripping and slipping are the most common cause of accidents when hiking. So remember: the right footwear and the right walking technique are therefore incredibly important. You are sure to find the right footwear in the article below!
Animals or vermin: Ah yes, and be sure to pack a "Mitschies" head net". The annoying mosquitoes come by the billions at dusk, and I do mean billions. Also make sure that the net is really suitable for keeping out mosquitoes. The holes should not be too small. The pesky creatures are so small that they can get through nets. Unfortunately, this was the case with my head net. Only the net on my expensive Nemo-tent was suitable.
Tent: The tent should also be equipped with a suitable net. Also pack really good waterproof equipment, as it can get very wet under certain circumstances. However, everything gets wet at some point. If this happens, you will have to take action and take a break or even abandon the trip.
For optimal preparation for any tour, I recommend the summit training on my Youtube channel:
Skye Trail Packing list
Here I present the most important hiking equipment that I personally own, have tested extensively and have also bought myself. I attach great importance to the weight, quality and price of my equipment. It should feel comfortable on longer tours and be light at the same time. I can also recommend the women's equipment as my wife uses it and it is essentially the same as the men's equipment.
Attention: Please note that the hiking equipment is general and should be adapted depending on the season and individual needs!
Advertising note: These product links are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission without you having to pay more. This helps me to maintain my blog and you support me in my project, for which I am very grateful. Thank you very much!
Clothes
Hiking boots
Hiking shorts
Long hiking pants
Functional shirt
Hybridjacket
Fleece-jacket
Rain jacket
Functional underwear
Hiking socks
Other hiking equipment:
• Sun cap
Hiking backback (approx. 60 litres or as required)
by EXPED - unfortunately not available on Amazon.
• Backback - Ospray (was my old one and is also good)
Technology and orientation:
• Compass
• Headlamp
• GPS device or GPS watch if necessary
• Binoculars if necessary
Catering:
• Sweets to keep up morale :)
Health & first Aid:
• First Aid (small and light)
• Tape
• Bivouac
• Toilet paper
Other:
• Passport/Insurance certificate
• cash
• Gas cartridge
Film equipment:
• Camera
• Drone
• Tripod
• Clip
Isle of skye trail best time to travel
The best time to visit the Skye Trail is from May to August. September and October have their own charm, as most tourists have already left the island by then and the mosquito plague is also decreasing. The statistically lowest number of rainy days per year is in May and June!
Long-distance hiking trails in Europe: 90 routes, all countries
Safety advice
Skye trail GPX
The GPX files can be downloaded from my pages at the following providers.
Outdooractive: https://out.ac/3ujyAM
The skye trail map
Isle of skye trail Conclusion
The Skye Trail, with its length of almost 130 kilometres, is a fantastic long-distance hiking trail that offers an incredible amount. It shows a cross-section of the rugged Scottish Highlands. I really enjoyed the tour! Have a great time and good luck ;)
As always, I would be very happy to receive feedback via one of my channels.
You are also welcome to leave a comment here.
Hello, I am Christian, the chief globetrotter of this Site and an enthusiastic adventurer, hiker and filmmaker. I love to explore new paths and inspire people with them, and I love to share my hiking knowledge with you! You can also find my videos on YouTube! On my blog you can find tips for beginners and professionals on the greatest and most beautiful hiking tours there are. I want to encourage people to explore the world as a hiker, whether in the countryside, through the forest or in the mountains. True to the motto: If you haven't hiked, you haven't seen the world,
On my blog, I also write about hiking gear, the right summit training and nature conservation, as well as tips and information about hiking.
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