Hiking by Skye Trail: an unofficial route of 80 miles through the island of Skye

Skye island has always seemed a mystical and magical place for me. It is where the mountains meet the sea. I wanted to make a walk of less than 100 miles to return to the basics after my attempted CDT. Rediscover the joy of hiking and backpack. I didn’t like West Highland Way, so I went in search of something more remote. This path was more difficult and beautiful than I expected it to be. I met very few walks even though in August, this was the maximum hiking season.

Length/ elevation:

80 miles/ 128 km. 15,213 feet Total elevation gain.

Navigation:

I used Walk Highlands maps downloaded in the application of orderly survey maps. There are 7 stages. I also had the map downloaded in Alltrails, but I advise having a more detailed map too. I managed to lose myself a couple of times and expanded a cliff edge.

It’s time to take:

I planned 4 and a half days for my walk. The land was much more difficult than I expected. Walking on rough and unequal herb tufts is much more challenging than dirt roads! You could do it faster or much more depending on what rhythm you like.

Requirement:

It can refue in half of the small cooperative in Portree. (7 am-11pm open)

I also spent the time for a few hours in the community library in Portree carrying my energy bank and furtively drying my store. There are many restaurants and coffee shops in Portree if you want to obtain food from the Royal city.

The COOP had a good gluten -free section. I recommend fish and french fries next to the port, although it is only effective.

When to go:

My trip was spontaneous but it was a perfect moment! I went at the end of August and purple heather and foliage were impressive. The path was framed by Rosehips with Blossom and early autumn red berries. Even in the rain it was perfect! I think the summer months would be the best, spring and autumn, cold and winter are unpredictable with snow and ice potential. It would be beautiful in winter, but it definitely bring the right team and has an experience in snow and navigation!

Novo or Sobo?

My decision was made by the weather. I wanted to make the most difficult part of the path In the best weather he offered me the window. I went to Sobo. (Maps are also designed for Sobo). You could easily decide at that time what path to continue depending on the weather.

The challenges:

• Find on the route on the trotternish crest in heavy wind and fog (stage 2- Flodigarria al Storr)
• Cliff walking after leaving the hills of Cuillin on the way to Elgol (stage 5- Sligachan to Elgol) I had a terrible climate for this and the cliff was very narrow and slippery without anything that catch your fall if I lost my balance: I would hit the rocks or the sea.
• The weather: I was wet for 3 days in a row and I cannot dry correctly. Everything was wet.

Water:

I leaked the water at least once a day and filled with tap water in the old man of Storr Carmar, the library of toilets and Elgol coffee. Water on the road would often be of small streams, springs, waterfalls or alpine scarves. I drank from a lake once. It had 2 1L bottles.

Equipment to definitely bring:

Jacket and rain pants, waterproof gloves, waterproof socks, trekking posts. He would not have survived without these. Maybe even a rain poncho would be a good idea. The path is very swampy, so waterproof socks are essential!

My 3 greats for this trip were my pa’lante desert package, my Durston Xmid Pro 1 and my katabatic gear bankruptcy. He wore Prana hiking pants, a Ridge Merino Sun hoodie and top trail runners. I wore shorts, but unfortunately they never left my backpack.

How I broke my days:

Day 1: Bus from the Portree camp to Rubha Hunish (beginning of the Skye path). Completed stage 1 and half of stage 2. Cample on the crest. Around 15 miles.

Day 2: Stage 2 and most of stage 3 ended. Camping near Portree overlooking the sea. Around 15 miles.

Day 3: I walked in the Portree, completing stage 3. Repilation in Coop, hung for hours charged by the Energy Bank. I walked stage 4 and a few miles from stage 5. Around 17 miles.

Day 4: Finished Stage 5. I stopped at Cafe Elgol to drink tea and hot lunch and tried to dry/ load. Completed stage 5, the entire stage 6 and the first part of stage 7. Around 20 miles.

Day 5: Stage 7 completed, finishing my walk on Broadford. He took the bus back to Portree.

Where to stay in Skye:

I stayed at the Portree camp the previous day and the day I finished my walk. They allow to camp the store and have good facilities, including Free laundry and hot showers. Reserve in advance. (It was £ 20 per night to camp of stores).

If I did something different with this walk or could advise anyone, if you plan/ reserve well in advance one night in a B&B in Portree to dry halfway it could be really pleasant. Skye accommodation is reserved very much and is very expensive, so this should be for someone who likes early planning! (I don’t)

How to get to Skye:

If you don’t have a car, you can take a bus from Edinburgh or Glasgow. I took a bus from Edinburgh and it was £ 92 for a return ticket.

Another needs to know:

• There is a team store in Portree, but it doesn’t sell anything ultralight! (Let’s not talk about when I lost my tent on an island with very few trees …)
• Be very prepared for wind and rain. It rained every day, apart from the first day, even if the weather had previously said the opposite.

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