Top 10 Skye Beaches

Discover the best beaches on the Isle of Skye

Learn More

Loch Eynort Trail Run/walk

Run or walk a forested trail with incredible views of the mighty Cuillin

Learn More
57.503447, -6.215837
Coral beach

White sandy bay; wild swim spot

Caora Dubh Coffee

Best coffee in the Highlands

Flora MacDonalds House

Birthplace of Flora MacDonald

Highpoint

Sgurr Alasdair

About Us

Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
Learn More

Join our Islandeering community

We continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Distance: The Skye Trail 128 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Method: Walking; trail running
Wow Factor: 10 out of 10

Key Facts

  • Location: Inner Hebrides
  • Size: 165,600 ha
  • Terrain: Mountain; moorland
  • Access: Road bridge
  • Height gain: 5206 metres
  • Map: Harvey Maps, The Skye Trail. Ordnance Survey 408 Skye, Trotternish and The Storr 409 Raasay, Rona and Scalpay; 410 Portree and Bracadale; 411 Skye Cuillin Hills; 412 Skye - Sleat
  • Starting point: Rubha Hunish (Grid Ref: NG640038)
  • Accommodation/food:

    The full route requires a combination of wild camping with overnight stays in villages or bothies.

    Rubha Hunish – The Lookout (Bothy)

    Flodigarry has a hotel and an independent hostel.

    Portree has a choice of shops, hotels, B&B’s with a campsite at Torvaig on the northern edge of town.

    Sligachan has a hotel, campsite and bunkhouse.

    Elgol has a choice of B&B’s along with a small shop. There is also a B&B in Torrin.

    Broadford has a choice of hotels, B&B’s and a well-stocked Co-op supermarket.

  • Island Summary:

    Every superlative is used to decribe Skye’s dramatic landscapes, seascapes, history and legends. There is quite literally a lifetime of exploring here. For the adventurer the Cuillins mountains are arguable the best in Britain, there are caves to explore, secluded beaches and forest trails to run. The island is blessed with some of the finest dining and incredible seafood and has the full facilities expected of holiday makers of all types. This is my home island.

  • Look out for:
    • The magical Quirang
    • Sea eagles, otters, dolphins
    • The dramatic Old Man of Storr
    • The mythical Loch Coruisk
  • Route description:

    At the moment there isn’t a waymarked round island route on Skye. For this reason I have included The Skye Trail instead – a long distance footpath travelling most of the length from the north to south of the Isle of Skye, traversing mountain, moor and coastal regions. Starting on the northern tip of the island at Rubha Hunish the route passes the significant attractions of The Quiraing, Trotternish Ridge, Old Man of Storr, Portree, the Braes, Loch Sligachan, Glen Sligachan, Camasunary Bay, Loch Coruisk, Elgol, Kirkibost, Loch Slapin, Torrin and the Marble Line to reach Broadford.

    We plan to run the Skye Trail Ultra in 2020, so I have included the GPX download provided by The Walking Englishman (visit his site here for more details and great walks)

  • Getting there:

    Road bridge from mainland Scotland. More detail on travel to and within Skye is available from www.isleofskye.com.

Download file for GPS

Gallery