Do I need a ferry to reach Skye?

No — the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh gives free road access from the mainland. A ferry does operate from Glenelg to Kylerhea (Easter–October, small vehicle ferry, scenic) if you want the romantic option.

Is 75km around Trotternish achievable in a day?

For a fit rider, yes — allow 7–8 hours including stops at the Quiraing and Kilt Rock. Portree has good accommodation and the circuit is best done with a Portree overnight as a base, riding fresh in the morning.

Can I walk the Quiraing from the road?

The Quiraing walking circuit starts from the same car park as the road and takes 3–4 hours. Many cyclists lock bikes at the car park and walk. The views from the plateau table are different and arguably better than from the road.

Where is the best place to stay for the circuit?

Portree is the hub — it has hotels, hostels, and B&Bs. The SYHA Portree hostel is good value. Staffin has a campsite with sea views (Staffin Campsite). Uig has a CalMac ferry hostel with sea views and basic facilities.

Gravel Cycling

Skye Trotternish Circuit

The Quiraing ridge, the Storr, and 75km of Skye's most dramatic peninsula

Quick facts

Distance: 75 km (47 mi)
Ascent: 1,250 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Route type: Loop
Archetype: Island Circuit
Region: Isle of Skye
Start point: Portree
Grid ref: NG 483 435
Parking: IV51 9EF
Midges: High
Dogs: On lead only

Best months

Surface breakdown

Tarmac single-track65%
Estate road20%
Double-track15%

Recommended bikes: Gravel bike (ideal), Hardtail MTB· Tyres: 38–45mm gravel

About this route

The Trotternish peninsula is Skye's northernmost and most dramatic extension — the entire eastern coast defined by the Trotternish escarpment, a 30km ridge of collapsed basalt columns and landslide features that includes the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. The circuit road around the peninsula is a single-track A-road by classification but carries the feel of a very quiet back road — the tourist caravans go to the Storr car park and stop; the rest of the peninsula road is relatively quiet.

The Quiraing section is the centrepiece: a plateau road climbs to 360m through the chaos of rock towers, grassy ramps, and hidden lochs of the greatest landslip complex in Scotland. The descent to Uig on the west is long and smooth. The return via the Fairy Glen — a strange miniature landscape of conical grass hills beside the Uig to Portree road — is a dreamlike finish to a ride that already strains credibility.

Highlights

The Quiraing at cloud level — the plateau road weaves through rock pinnacles that appear and disappear in mist
Old Man of Storr from the A855 — the 49m basalt pinnacle is best seen from the road on a clear evening
Kilt Rock — columnar basalt cliffs above the sea at Staffin with a 55m waterfall running off the edge
Uig Bay at the bottom of the Quiraing descent — perfect arc of beach below the ferry terminal
Fairy Glen — a ten-minute detour from the return road through one of Skye's most surreal landscapes

Key waypoints

1. Portree
2. The Storr car park
3. Kilt Rock
4. Staffin
5. The Quiraing
6. Uig
7. Fairy Glen
8. Portree return

Cafés & pubs on route

· Columba 1400 café, Staffin
· Uig Tea Rooms
· Cuchullin Hills B&B café (seasonal)
· Café Arriba, Portree

Named climbs

Staffin to Quiraing (380m)
Flodigarry head (280m)
Kilt Rock approach (320m)

Notable descents

Quiraing descent to Uig
Staffin Bay drop
Lealt gorge descent

Route notes

Ride the circuit clockwise (Portree–Storr–Staffin–Quiraing–Uig–Portree) to get the Quiraing ascent in the right direction and the long descent to Uig. The A855 carries tourist traffic to the Storr — use the car park side road to avoid the worst of it. Portree has excellent bike hire options if not self-sufficient.

Island conditions & season

The Quiraing road is spectacular in any weather but can close briefly in extreme wind or snow November–March. Midges at Staffin and the Quiraing floor level are serious in still summer weather. May and September are the best months — fewer tourists on the circuit road and better photographic light.

Key hazards

Tourist vehicle traffic on the Storr section of A855
Quiraing road can be very exposed in wind — sudden strong gusts are common
The Staffin road carries campervan traffic; overtaking is difficult

Water sources on route

Lealt River
Burns near Staffin
Uig has a public tap

Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.

OS map sheets

OS 408

Nearest hill

Glamaig - Sgurr Mhairi

775m · skye-small-isles

View hill

Nearest bothy

Camasunary

Walk-in: 5 km · skye

View bothy

Daylight Today

17h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:17
Sunset: 21:25
Civil dawn: 04:27
Civil dusk: 22:16

NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026

Common questions

Do I need a ferry to reach Skye?: No — the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh gives free road access from the mainland. A ferry does operate from Glenelg to Kylerhea (Easter–October, small vehicle ferry, scenic) if you want the romantic option.
Is 75km around Trotternish achievable in a day?: For a fit rider, yes — allow 7–8 hours including stops at the Quiraing and Kilt Rock. Portree has good accommodation and the circuit is best done with a Portree overnight as a base, riding fresh in the morning.
Can I walk the Quiraing from the road?: The Quiraing walking circuit starts from the same car park as the road and takes 3–4 hours. Many cyclists lock bikes at the car park and walk. The views from the plateau table are different and arguably better than from the road.
Where is the best place to stay for the circuit?: Portree is the hub — it has hotels, hostels, and B&Bs. The SYHA Portree hostel is good value. Staffin has a campsite with sea views (Staffin Campsite). Uig has a CalMac ferry hostel with sea views and basic facilities.