The Storr, Isle of Skye

Skye Trail

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Overview

Route

Package info

Itineraries & Prices

Accommodation

Travel Info

Additional Days

Overview

Walking Holidays

8 Nights

80 miles / 128 km

Prices from: £1475 per person
Start: Rubha Hunish, Isle of Skye
Finish: Broadford, Isle of Skye
Availability: Any start date from March to October
Grading: Strenuous
Way-marked: No

Skye Trail Highlights

Unbeatable scenery

Enjoy incredible mountain and coastal views in one of the most dramatic locations in the British Isles.

Picturesque Portree

Discover the pleasant little village of Portree, with its many cafes and shops, and perhaps eat fish and chips on the harbour wall.

Ridge walking

Challenge yourself as you traverse the Trotternish Ridge towards the Old Man of Storr, one of the best ridge walks in Scotland.

Dramatic landscapes

Admire the strange and wonderful landscape of the Quiraing.

Mountaineering history

Stay in the iconic Sligachan hotel and soak up the mountaineering history in the museum.

Captivating Cuillin mountains

Walk through the dramatic ‘Red’ and ‘Black’ Cuillin mountains, part of the iconic Skye landscape.

A Thrilling Hike Across the Dramatic Isle of Skye

The Skye Trail traverses the whole of the Isle of Skye, from the remote northern tip at Rubha Hunish, to the bustling village of Broadford in the south. Along the way, you can soak up some of the fantastic scenery, history and island culture which make Skye so popular.

A journey through the Trotternish Ridge, a walk through the heart of the Cuillin mountains, and a visit to the peculiar shapes of the Quiraing give you a taste of some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes on the British Isles. This is mixed with more remote coastal stretches through quiet communities rarely seen by Skye’s many visitors. The Trail is a great way to truly see Skye, escape the rush of modern life and get into the slower pace of island living.

The Skye Trail also provides the opportunity to explore many of the other incredible attractions on the ever-popular Isle of Skye, including boat trips along the coast to the inaccessible Loch Coruisk in the shadow of the Black Cuillin.

It is important to note, the Skye Trail is not waymarked, and sometimes follows no paths at all. For this reason, good navigation skills and hill walking experience are vital. The trail often visits remote parts of Skye which are miles from the nearest roads. The often pathless terrain means that the walking can often be more tiring than walkers expect, so do make sure you are comfortable with the daily distances. Unfortunately the daily distances cannot be broken down any further by amending the itinerary.

Skye Trail Route Map

Recommended Itinerary

Our most popular itinerary is SKYE1 which covers the route in 7 days / 8 nights.

Travel to Uig for your first night’s accommodation

Arrive in Uig, near the northern tip of the Isle of Skye. The small village of Uig is located on the west coast of the Trotternish peninsula, sheltered by high cliffs and set dramatically in a horseshoe bay of which it is named after. The village has a number of shops, pubs, a cafe, a brewery and several accommodation options. With regular ferries to the islands, this charming port has excellent connections with the mainland via Portree.

Day 1: Rubha Hunish to Quiraing Car Park (11 miles / 18 km)

In order to begin your walk, we will arrange a taxi for you to travel up to the remote Rubha Hunish headland, the northernmost point of the Isle of Skye. Quiet farmland and exhilarating cliff-top walking characterise the first stretch to Flodigarry. From Flodigarry it’s a short ascent to the famous Quiraing, an alien-like landscape of rock pinnacles and cliffs. A taxi will collect you here and return you for a second night in Uig.

Day 2: Quiraing Car Park to The Storr (14 miles / 23 km)

Certainly the most challenging day of the Skye Trail, but infinitely rewarding. The Skye Trail continues southwards for a full traverse of the Trotternish Ridge, over pathless and undulating ground, with fantastic views from high points to surrounding isles and the mainland.

Finally, reaching the much-visited Old Man of Storr, where a taxi will take you to your accommodation in Portree.

Day 3: The Storr to Portree (8.5 miles / 14 km)

A taxi will drop you back at The Storr this morning, for a comparatively short day. You will mostly follow cliff tops around the coast, with good views over to the Isle of Raasay. Finish along the shoreline by turning into Portree bay, ending with a second night in the village of Portree.

Day 4: Portree to Sligachan (12 miles / 19 km)

Walk through the crofting community of The Braes on your way round to Loch Sligachan – a winding lane making its way through fine scenery. Upon reaching Loch Sligachan, the trail follows the shoreline inland towards the historic Sligachan Hotel, framed by the magnificent Cuillin mountains which dominate the view.

Soak up some of the mountaineering history at The Sligachan Hotel, the base for many of the pioneering first ascents of the Cuillin in the 19th century.

Day 5: Sligachan to Elgol (11.5 miles / 18 km)

A gloriously scenic day along Glen Sligachan, squeezed between the ‘Red’ and ‘Black’ Cuillin mountains which line either side. Here you can feel a million miles from civilisation. Reaching Camasunary Bay on the Southside of the island, you will follow more shoreline down to the village of Elgol, where the views back to the Cuillin are arguably the most spectacular in the British Isles.

Day 6: Elgol to Torrin (10.5 miles / 16.5 km)

A mixed day of paths and roads, passing through a number of small settlements along one of the more sheltered of Skye’s coastlines. This makes it one of the greenest, where wildlife is more abundant. Peaks on the mainland also come into view here. One of these small settlements, Torrin, is your endpoint for the day.

Day 7: Torrin to Broadford (12.5 miles / 20 km)

Your final day on the Skye Trail is away from roads, visiting the ruins of the villages of Suisnish and Boreraig – victims of the Highland Clearances and part of Skye’s darker history. The course of an old mining railway takes you on a final stretch to the village of Broadford, the endpoint of the Skye Trail.

Onward travel

After breakfast, you will start your journey home after a wonderful walking holiday on the Skye Trail.

What’s Included?

Your Skye Trail walking holiday includes:

Carefully selected accommodation along the route and trail transfers when applicable
En-suite or private bathroom facilities whenever possible
Daily door-to-door baggage transfers
Comprehensive information pack, kit list, guidebook and map (one set per room)
Personalised itinerary with details of your accommodation, route and recommendations for lunch and dinner
Traditional Scottish breakfast
Evening meal in Elgol
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your walking holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Transport to and from the start and end of the walk
Lunches and evening meals (except in Elgol)

Itineraries & Prices

We offer 3 suggested itineraries for walking the Skye Trail.

Our most popular itinerary is SKYE1 which covers the route in 7 days. SKYE2 covers the northern section including the dramatic Trotternish Ridge. SKYE3 covers all but the first two days, avoiding the challenging 17.5-mile leg from Quiraing Car Park to The Storr.

Tour code

Itinerary

Average miles

Difficulty

Price per person

SKYE1

7 Days / 8 Nights

11.5 miles per day

Strenuous

From £1475

Average miles : 11.5 miles per day

Tour code: SKYE1

Difficulty : Strenuous

7 Days / 8 Nights (SKYE1)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Additional information

Please note that for your first two night’s accommodation, you will be located in either Staffin or Digg.

This package also includes dinner, bed & breakfast for both overnight stays in Elgol.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag or booking a taxi transfer for a single person, there is also a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Uig for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Rubha Hunish to Quiraing Car Park (overnight Uig) 11 miles / 18 km

Day 2 Quiraig Car Park to The Storr (overnight Portree) 14 miles / 23 km

Day 3 The Storr to Portree 8.5 miles / 14 km

Day 4 Portree to Sligachan 12 miles / 19 km

Day 5 Sligachan to Elgol 11.5 miles / 18 km

Day 6 Elgol to Torrin (overnight Elgol) 10.5 miles / 16.5 km

Day 7 Torrin to Broadford 12.5 miles / 20 km

Depart Onward travel from Broadford

Prices

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £1475 per person

Good quality and comfortable B&Bs, guest houses and some hotels located as close to the trail as possible. We will prioritise en-suite facilities or a private bathroom, although in remote areas with limited accommodation this may not always be possible.

Enquire Now

SKYE2

3 Days / 4 Nights (Northern Highlights)

11 miles per day

Strenuous

From £750

Average miles : 11 miles per day

Tour code: SKYE2

Difficulty : Strenuous

3 Days / 4 Nights (SKYE2)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Additional information

Please note that for your first two night’s accommodation, you will be located in either Staffin or Digg.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag or booking a taxi transfer for a single person, there is also a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Uig for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Rubha Hunish to Quiraing Car Park (overnight Uig) 11 miles / 18 km

Day 2 Quiraing Car Park to The Storr (overnight Portree) 14 miles / 23 km

Day 3 The Storr to Portree 8.5 miles / 14 km

Depart Onward travel from Portree

Prices

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £750 per person

Enquire Now

SKYE3

5 Days / 6 Nights (Southern Highlights)

11 miles per day

Strenuous

From £1110

Average miles : 11 miles per day

Tour code: SKYE3

Difficulty : Strenuous

5 Days / 6 Nights (SKYE3)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Additional information

This package includes dinner, bed & breakfast for both overnight stays in Elgol.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag or booking a taxi transfer for a single person, there is also a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Portree for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 The Storr to Portree 8.5 miles / 14 km

Day 2 Portree to Sligachan 12 miles / 19 km

Day 3 Sligachan to Elgol 11.5 miles / 18 km

Day 4 Elgol to Torrin (overnight Elgol) 10.5 miles / 16.5 km

Day 5 Torrin to Broadford 12.5 miles / 20 km

Depart Onward travel from Broadford

Prices

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £1110 per person

Enquire Now

Skye Trail Accommodation

All of the accommodation that we reserve for you has been personally selected by our expert team to ensure it meets our exacting standards. We regularly review our extensive database.

We will always prioritise accommodation as close to the walking trail as possible. Occasionally, your accommodation may be located a short distance from the trail, or you may need to spend more than one night in the same place, in which case we will provide return transfers.

Travel Information

As an environmentally conscious tour operator, we actively encourage the use of public transport by providing clients with a detailed breakdown of travel options in their information packs. The following information may help with your pre-trip planning.

Getting to Uig

By Air

Nearest Airport: Inverness

Nearest Major International Airport: Glasgow International

An airport shuttle bus operates between Inverness Airport and Inverness city centre (journey time 25 min). From here you can travel to Skye by train, bus or taxi.

Airport shuttle buses also operate between Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow city centre. From Glasgow, you can then travel to Skye by bus.

By Public Transport

Citylink Buses run regular bus services to Uig on Skye from either Inverness (journey time 4 hours 5 min) or Glasgow (journey time 8 hours 15 min). Some buses run all the way to Uig, but some services may require you to change in Portree.

Nearest Railway Station: Kyle of Lochalsh.

The journey by rail to Inverness from both Edinburgh and Glasgow is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. From Inverness, there are 4 rail services a day to Kyle of Lochalsh – the nearest point of the mainland to Skye (journey time 2 hours 40 minutes).

From Kyle of Lochalsh, you could take a taxi to Uig, which would cost approximately £70 – £80 (journey time 1 hour 30 min). Local bus services are also available from Kyle of Lochalsh, changing at Portree (approximate journey time 2 hours – 2 hours 45 min).

By Car

If you plan to travel by car, you may wish to park in Broadford for the duration of your walk, so you can travel by public transport to Uig and walk back to your car in Broadford. We can advise you about parking options when you make your enquiry.

The Scenic Journey

You could take the scenic journey to Skye, which is an experience in itself.

From Glasgow, you would take the incredibly picturesque West Highland Railway line all the way to the port of Mallaig (journey time 5 hours 20 min). The final stage of this journey from Fort William to Mallaig can be done by Jacobite Steam Train. From Mallaig then take the Calmac ferry “over the sea to Skye” (journey time 30 min). At the Port of Armadale on Skye, you could take a taxi to Uig (journey time 1 hour 40 min), or take local buses.

Departing from Broadford

By Air

Nearest Airport: Inverness

Nearest Major International Airports: Glasgow International

From Skye, you can travel by train, bus or taxi to Inverness. An airport shuttle bus operates between Inverness city centre and Inverness airport (journey time 25 min).

To travel to Glasgow, you can take a direct bus or travel to Inverness first and connect with train services to Glasgow.

By Public Transport

Nearest Railway Station: Kyle of Lochalsh.

From Broadford, it is either a 15-minute taxi or a 20-minute bus journey to Kyle of Lochalsh serviced by Citylink or Stagecoach buses. From Kyle of Lochalsh there 4 rail services a day to Inverness (journey time 2 hours 40 min).

The Citylink bus from Skye passes right through Broadford. From here the journey to Inverness takes 2 hours 30 minutes. The bus journey to Glasgow takes 6 hours 10 minutes.

As the train and bus services can be very busy, we recommend booking your tickets in advance.

By Car

If you plan to travel by car, you may wish to park in Portree for the duration of your walk. You can take a bus from Broadford to Portree (journey time 45 min). We can advise you about parking options when you make your enquiry.

Additional Days

We would be delighted to arrange additional accommodation for you along the Skye Trail.

You may wish to plan a rest day or have an additional night at any of the locations along the route which offer activities or sightseeing opportunities – we’ve made some suggestions below. Please request this when you make an enquiry.

Portree

Spend some time relaxing in the pleasant little village of Portree, with its many cafes and shops
Enjoy some of the freshest fish and chips on the harbour wall
Visit The Aros Experience with its arts centre, cinema, heritage centre, and wildlife exhibition
Join a scenic guided tour and explore the wild and mysterious beauty of the Isle of Skye

Sligachan

Soak up the mountaineering history in the museum at the Sligachan Hotel
Climb some of the Cuillin peaks yourself – many of the ‘Black’ and ‘Red’ Cuillin can be accessed in a day from Sligachan. Some of these peaks are straightforward, but some require more technical experience, and several mountain guides offer their services at the hotel
Take a short taxi ride to visit Talisker Distillery for a tour and tasting

Elgol

Join a boat trip along the coast to the inaccessible Loch Coruisk in the shadow of the Black Cuillin
Take a day trip to one of the delightful Small Isles just south of Skye (Rum, Eigg, Muck or Canna)

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