• Distance
• 140 km
• Total Ascend:
• 4585 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 670 m
• Walking time:
• 34h 43m
• Days:
• 8

Following a spontaneous idea, in spring 2013 a colleague and I developed the plan to spend our remaining holidays from the previous year doing a trekking tour in Scotland. Quickly, the Isle of Skye caught our interest and we eventually decided for the Skye Trail, a 140 km hiking trail crossing the Isle of Skye from north to south. On its way the trail passes some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes and thus sets the scene for what can easily be counted among Europe's most beautiful treks.

Those interested in following the tour themselves can find detailed GPS track data here.

Day 1: Start in Uig

• Start:
• Uig
• End:
• Camas Mor
• Distance:
• 11.7 km
• Ascend:
• 262 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 117 m
• Walking time:
• 2h 29m

Via Glasgow airport, we had arrived by bus in Dornie, near Eilean Donan Castle, the evening before. On the first day of our tour, we then took the bus to Uig on the Isle of Skye, from where we started our trek on the Skye trail. The first rather short stage led us northward along the coast to Camas Mor. Here, we found a (closed) campsite beautifully located directly by the sea. Luckily the owner alowed us to stay, so that we could spend the first night listening to the sound of crushing waves.

Day 2: Around the Northern Coast

• Start:
• Camas Mor
• End:
• Flodigarry
• Distance:
• 16.0 km
• Ascend:
• 509 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 115 m
• Walking time:
• 3h 32m

The second day started with a storm and heavy rain, so we had to get packed in the wet. We then set out eastward along the coast, passing by Duntulm castle on the northern coast. The road then takes us south to Flodigarry, where we want to spent the night in a hostel. Here we prepare for the next strenous stage across the Trotternish Ridge.

Day 3: The Trotternish Ridge

• Start:
• Flodigarry
• End:
• Torvaig
• Distance:
• 27.4 km
• Ascend:
• 1775 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 670 m
• Walking time:
• 9h 16m

On the third day we set out early, making our way to the entrance of the Trotternish Ridge, a mountaineous and deserted area formed by a massive (ongoing) landslip. This stage is the most exhausting of the whole tour, leading a total of more than 27 kilometers over mountaineous, pathless and swampy ground with a total ascend of more than 1700 meters. In other words: more than a half-marathon without a trail, combined with a decent mountain climb and backpacking more than 25 kilos. We were thus happy when we were finally able to climb down the ridge shortly before sunset, passing by the famous Old Man of Storr. We then pitched our tents at the campsite of Torvaig.

Day 4: Exploring Portree Bay

• Start:
• Torvaig
• End:
• Portree
• Distance:
• 5.0 km
• Ascend:
• 99 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 86 m
• Walking time:
• 1h 08m

Following the previous strenous day, the fourth stage only leads us to Portree, where we explore the town and the bay both on foot and by boat. We enjoy the picturesque little town with its small harbour, cozy fishin restaurants and pubs. We further take a boat trip to the nests of sea eagles living in the area.

Day 5: Through the Braes

• Start:
• Portree
• End:
• Sligachan
• Distance:
• 21.3 km
• Ascend:
• 421 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 92 m
• Walking time:
• 4h 46m

The fifth day took us from Portree, through the Braes, a rural area with cottage houses and a beautiful sea side. We then turned westwards, following a trail along Loch Sligachan. We finally arrived in the Sligachan hotel, where we spent the night preparing for the next stages that would take us through the Cuilins.

Day 6: The Cuilins

• Start:
• Sligachan
• End:
• Camasunary Bay
• Distance:
• 14.8 km
• Ascend:
• 295 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 100 m
• Walking time:
• 3h 34

The sixth stage led from the Sligachan hotel into uninhabited and remote mountain land. We followed the river Sligachan through the beautiful Glen Sligachan valley. The trail is lined by the Cuilin mountains, before we finally arrived at the sea in Camasunary bay. Here we spent a shockingly cold night in a bothie, i.e. a mountain hat specially maintained for hikers seeking shelter.

Day 7: The Southern Cape

• Start:
• Camasunary Bay
• End:
• Torrin
• Distance:
• 23.4 km
• Ascend:
• 731 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 143 m
• Walking time:
• 5h 27

We got up frozen after a cold night to find that fresh snow had fallen on the Cuilin peaks around us. Despite the chill, we enjoyed a beautiful and calm morning by the sea before setting of towards Elgol. We arrived there following a dangerously slippery trail along the cliffs. We then continued along the road to Torrin, where we spent the night in a guesthouse.

Day 8: Arriving in Broadford

• Start:
• Torrin
• End:
• Broadford
• Distance:
• 20.4 km
• Ascend:
• 493 m
• Max. Altitude:
• 186 m
• Walking time:
• 4h 31

The final stage first led us along the sourthern coast towards Loch Eishort. The trail then turned north through remote woodland, before we finally spotted the first signs pointing towards our destination of Broadford. A memorable trek had come to its end and we will never forget the fascinating sights offered by the beautiful Isle of Skye.