Long distance
Skye Trail
An unofficial trail traversing the Isle of Skye from its northernmost tip at Rubha Hunish to Broadford. Passes the Quiraing, the Trotternish Ridge, the Old Man of Storr, Glen Sligachan and Camasunary through some of the most dramatic landscape in Britain. Around 128 km (80 mi) in seven stages, walked north to south — a committing, unwaymarked multi-day route.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 128 km/ 80 mi
- Typical days
- 7
- Total ascent
- Not published
- Difficulty
- challenging
- Start → Finish
- Rubha Hunish → Broadford
- Best direction
- North to South
- Water sources
- Portree, Sligachan, Elgol and Broadford have tap water. The Trotternish ridge and Glen Sligachan sections are demanding — burns are frequent but exposed to sheep. Treat all water. Carry 2L for the ridge crossings.
- Mobile signal
- EE/Vodafone in Portree, Sligachan, Broadford and most settlements. The Trotternish ridge crossing is out of signal for most of the day. Glen Sligachan and Camasunary are largely signal-free; expect coverage only at Sligachan.
⚠ Not waymarked — navigation skills required
Planning to walk it? Read the full Skye Trail guide — day-by-day itinerary, kit and logistics.
Approximate profile derived from per-stage ascent — accurate on total climb and pattern, not a pixel-precise GPX trace.
Our take
The Skye Trail is not a waymarked path — it is a linked series of routes through terrain that punishes the unprepared. The Trotternish Ridge section is exposed and serious in poor weather. The Cuillin approach is rough and boggy. Weather on Skye is famously hostile. But on a clear day there is nowhere in Scotland more spectacular. Navigation skills are essential. Midges in July are biblical.
Highlights
- The Quiraing
- Trotternish Ridge traverse
- Old Man of Storr
- Views into the Black Cuillin from Sligachan
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 7-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Rubha Hunish to Flodigarry11.5km
From the northernmost point of Skye along dramatic sea cliffs to Flodigarry. The views to the Outer Hebrides are immense on a clear day.
- Terrain
- Cliff-top paths, rough moorland, steep descent. Exposed.
- Overnight
- The Dun Flodigarry hostel has closed permanently. There is a hotel at Flodigarry and B&Bs nearby (Cicerone update, 12 November 2024, read 2026-10-27).
- Stats
- Rubha Hunish → Flodigarry · 11.5km
2Flodigarry to The Storr28.5km
The longest and hardest stage: through the Quiraing's pinnacles and landslip terrain, then the whole Trotternish Ridge south to the Old Man of Storr. Exposed and serious in poor weather, sensational on a clear day.
- Terrain
- Landslip terrain, mountain ridge, exposed plateau, rocky paths. Serious navigation in cloud.
- Overnight
- No facilities on the ridge. Wild camping, or a road pick-up near the Storr car park.
- Stats
- Flodigarry → The Storr · 28.5km
3The Storr to Portree14km
From the Storr down to Portree, the capital of Skye. A shorter day ending in a harbour town with shops.
- Terrain
- Paths, quiet roads, town walking.
- Overnight
- Portree has hotels, hostels, B&Bs and restaurants. Book ahead in summer.
- Stats
- The Storr → Portree · 14km
4Portree to Sligachan19km
South from Portree via the Braes and along Loch Sligachan to Sligachan, with the Black Cuillin growing ahead.
- Terrain
- Coastal and moorland paths, quiet roads, boggy sections.
- Overnight
- Sligachan Hotel and campsite.
- Stats
- Portree → Sligachan · 19km
5Sligachan to Elgol18km
Down Glen Sligachan between the Black and Red Cuillin to Camasunary bay, then along the coast to Elgol. The views of the Cuillin from Elgol are legendary.
- Terrain
- Glen path, rough ground, coastal walking.
- Overnight
- Elgol has limited B&Bs. A Mountain Bothies Association bothy now stands directly on the trail at Camasunary Bay, where the route turns east (Cicerone update, 27 August 2024, read 2026-10-27); the bothy position on older maps is out of date.
- Stats
- Sligachan → Elgol · 18km
6Elgol to Torrin16.5km
From Elgol to the hamlet of Torrin.
- Terrain
- Coastal and moorland paths, some quiet road.
- Overnight
- Torrin Bunkhouse must be booked in advance and now takes bookings of at least 2 nights only (Cicerone update, 14 November 2024, read 2026-10-27). Mrs Mack's Takeaway, a seasonal food truck, is usually parked on the trail just before Torrin. Otherwise wild camp or book in Broadford with transport.
- Stats
- Elgol → Torrin · 16.5km
7Torrin to Broadford20km
The final stage to Broadford. A gentler finish after the Cuillin drama.
- Terrain
- Moorland paths, tracks, quiet road walking.
- Overnight
- Broadford has hotels and B&Bs. Bus connections across Skye.
- Stats
- Torrin → Broadford · 20km
Hills along the route
Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and Donalds near the route line — extensions or rest-day options.
Transport
To start (Rubha Hunish)
Bus · Stagecoach
Local bus from Portree round Trotternish towards Duntulm (for the Rubha Hunish start) — check route and times on Traveline Scotland
Walk the last stretch from the road out to the Rubha Hunish headland.
Check times & book →
From finish (Broadford)
Bus · Scottish Citylink
Broadford over the Skye Bridge towards Glasgow and Inverness — check which services stop at Broadford
Check times & book →Ferry · CalMac
Armadale (Skye) to Mallaig — alternative onward via West Highland Line
Several daily, seasonal
Check times & book →
Best months
Accommodation
Mix of wild camping, hostels and B&Bs, concentrated in Portree, Sligachan and Broadford. Uig is not on the route. The Dun Flodigarry hostel at the end of stage 1 has closed permanently; there is a hotel at Flodigarry and B&Bs nearby. A Mountain Bothies Association bothy stands on the trail at Camasunary Bay, and Torrin Bunkhouse takes advance bookings of at least 2 nights only (Cicerone updates, August–November 2024, read 2026-10-27). Book Portree well ahead in summer.
Night-by-night guide: where to stay →Resupply
Portree and Broadford are the main resupply points. There is no shop on the long Flodigarry–Storr stage over the Quiraing and the Trotternish Ridge, so carry food for the first two days from the start. Carry food for the southern sections between Sligachan and Broadford.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Rubha Hunish)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:28
- Sunset
- 16:50
- Civil dawn
- 06:47
- Civil dusk
- 17:31
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
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Getting to and from the Skye Trail
Train and town anchors at each end of the route — on TripSCOT.