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Skye Trail: Planning an Unofficial Classic

80 miles from Rubha Hunish to Broadford across the most dramatic landscape in Scotland. Unmarked, exposed, weather-dependent and worth every soaking mile.

OutdoorSCOT 24 April 2026 7 min read

Quick Summary

  • 80 miles from Rubha Hunish to Broadford across Skye — no waymarks, no official route, no guaranteed dry day
  • 5-7 days carrying full wild camping kit, with limited B&B options at Uig, Portree and Sligachan
  • The Trotternish Ridge is the highlight — 25 miles of basalt escarpment with the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and views to the Outer Hebrides
  • Compare it — our Route Compare tool shows the Skye Trail alongside other Scottish long-distance walks

The Skye Trail does not officially exist. There is no signage, no maintenance budget, no visitor centre at the start. What exists is a line on a map that somebody drew from the northern tip of Skye to the south, connecting the Trotternish Ridge, the Red Cuillin foothills and the coast into something that feels like a proper through-walk. It has become one of the most sought-after multi-day walks in Scotland purely by word of mouth.

The walking is extraordinary. The logistics are not.

Quick Answer: The Skye Trail is an unofficial 80-mile (128km) route from Rubha Hunish at the northern tip of Skye to Broadford in the south, typically walked over 5-7 days. It is not waymarked. The route crosses the Trotternish Ridge (the finest section), descends to Portree, then heads south via the Red Cuillin foothills and the coast to Broadford. Wild camping throughout, with B&Bs available at Uig, Portree and Sligachan. Navigation skills are essential — the route is often in cloud. Weather on Skye is notoriously changeable. June or September are the best months; July-August brings midges at low altitude.

The route

North to south is the standard direction — it puts the Trotternish Ridge first while your legs are fresh.

Days 1-2: Rubha Hunish to Uig (25 miles) The Trotternish Ridge. This is the reason people walk the Skye Trail. A basalt escarpment running 25 miles down the spine of the Trotternish peninsula with the Quiraing at the north end, the Old Man of Storr at the south, and a continuous ridge between them with views across the Minch to the Outer Hebrides on one side and the Scottish mainland on the other.

The ridge is exposed, pathless in sections, and requires confident navigation in cloud. The Quiraing is a labyrinth of rock pinnacles and hidden plateaux — spectacular but disorienting in mist.

Days 3-4: Uig to Portree to Sligachan (25 miles) The transition. Road walking and coastal paths from Uig to Portree (the main town on Skye — resupply, pubs, accommodation). Then south from Portree via the coast or inland tracks to Sligachan — the crossroads of Skye at the foot of the Cuillin.

Days 5-7: Sligachan to Broadford (30 miles) The southern section through the Red Cuillin foothills — rounded granite hills, less dramatic than the Black Cuillin but still serious mountain terrain. Multiple route options: coastal via Elgol (longer, easier, dramatic views of the Black Cuillin across Loch Scavaig) or inland over Bealach na Beiste (shorter, harder, more exposed).

Try it yourself

Our free Route Compare

shows the Skye Trail alongside the Cape Wrath Trail, West Highland Way and other Scottish trails — distance, days, ascent and difficulty compared.

No sign-up required.

Weather

Skye weather deserves its own section because it defines the experience.

Skye sits in the path of every Atlantic weather system that hits Scotland. It rains more often than not. Cloud sits on the Trotternish Ridge more days than it clears. Wind is constant. The west coast of Skye is one of the wettest places in Britain.

What this means for the trail:

  • Expect rain on at least 3 of your 5-7 days
  • The Trotternish Ridge will be in cloud for some portion of your traverse — navigate by compass, not by sight
  • Wind on exposed ridges makes progress slow and exhausting
  • A dry, clear day on Skye is a gift. When it happens, savour it

The good news: Skye's maritime climate means temperatures are mild. Summer lows rarely drop below 8°C even at altitude. You will be wet but not frozen.

Practicalities

Getting there: Drive across the Skye Bridge (free) or CalMac ferry from Mallaig to Armadale. Bus from Inverness to Portree (3 hours). Local buses run Portree to Uig and Portree to Broadford.

Getting to the start: Bus from Portree to Uig, then local bus or taxi to Flodigarry (near Rubha Hunish). Some walkers get a taxi directly from Portree.

Getting home from the finish: Broadford has regular buses to Portree, Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness.

Accommodation: Wild camping throughout (legal under the Access Code). B&Bs and hostels at Uig, Portree and Sligachan. Portree is the obvious rest-day stop — supermarket, pubs, accommodation choice.

Resupply: Portree (day 3-4) has a Co-op supermarket. Broadford (finish) has shops. Carry 2-3 days of food between resupplies.

Maps: Harvey Skye Trail map (one waterproof sheet) or OS Explorer 408, 409, 410, 411.

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Try it yourself

Our free Naismith's Rule Calculator

estimates walking time with terrain and weather adjustments — headwind on the Trotternish Ridge adds 20-30% to your time.

No sign-up required.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Skye Trail?

Physically demanding and navigationally challenging. The Trotternish Ridge is exposed and pathless in sections. The southern section has rough terrain. The main difficulty is weather — persistent rain, wind and cloud test your kit, navigation and morale. Fitness equivalent: harder than the WHW, easier than the Cape Wrath Trail.

When is the best time to walk the Skye Trail?

Late May to mid-June (long days, before peak midges) or September (shorter days but declining midges and autumn light). July-August brings midges at low altitude and crowds at tourist sites (Old Man of Storr, Quiraing). Avoid winter — the Trotternish Ridge in winter conditions is serious mountaineering.

Is the Skye Trail waymarked?

No. There are no waymarks, no signposts and no single official route. Multiple variants exist for the southern section. Navigate by map, compass and GPS. Harvey publishes a dedicated Skye Trail map on one waterproof sheet.

Can I do the Skye Trail without camping?

Partially. B&Bs exist at Uig, Portree and Sligachan, but the gaps between them (25+ miles) are too long for comfortable day-walking unless you are very fit and fast. Most walkers camp for 3-5 nights and use accommodation for 1-2.

Do I need to be able to scramble?

The standard Skye Trail route does not require scrambling. The Quiraing involves some easy scrambling on optional lines. The Black Cuillin (not on the trail) requires serious scrambling. If you choose the Bealach na Beiste variant in the south, there is some rough ground but nothing that requires hands.

Related Articles

This article is for informational purposes only. The Skye Trail is an unofficial route with no waymarking or maintenance. Weather on Skye changes rapidly. Carry appropriate navigation tools and emergency equipment. The Black Cuillin Ridge is not part of the Skye Trail and requires mountaineering skills. OutdoorSCOT is not liable for any incidents arising from the use of this information.

Sources

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