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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.
Cicerone says
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
Our Verdict
For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.
We have used them countless times and they've always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.
If you're a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- 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
Specifications
- Weight: 134g
- Published: 28 Nov 2023
- Edition: Third
- Number of pages: 112
- Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 0.6cm
CONTENTS
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
