Hiking on Skye

One of the most enjoyable of many hikes we did in Scotland was Dun Caan. It isn't actually on Skye but on the nearby Isle of Raasay (quick beautiful ferry ride). You would need your own transport.
Amazing views from the summit, lovely hike, it was just me and the wife both up and down.

Hello Laurie,
Here's the link to WalkHighlands website. It is an interactive map that provides exceptionally useful information. You might enjoy reading about some of the walks on Skye while awaiting replies from people who have actually walked the trails. We walked the Fairy Pools trail in early October and it to be busy but not overly so. Perhaps April will be the same.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/

Old man of storr. Go early as possible. Uphill walk may limit some from going. If you want less people go beyond around and up to the top of the plateau.

In late April the Fairy Pools and Old Man of Storr will be busy. They have reasonable car parking now, but still inadequate to cope with the number of visitors.

Use the walk highlands website listed above to search out other hikes. That website lists by distance, but also gives and indication to difficulty and also the 'bog factor' i.e. how wet the ground is likely to be. The hikes here generally do not have gravel or stone paths, so the bog factor is an important consideration. Depending on how far you want to walk there are some absolutely superb options off the beaten track. If you want to message me with any that you are considering I can give an opinion (based on living here and having done many hikes here). However, I am loath to recommend 'off the beaten tracks' hikes on the public forum in case they become new 'honey pot' sites. I'd prefer people to discover the gems for themselves.

We enjoyed hiking the Quiraing until the winds hit 80mph. Four mile trip to circumnavigate.

Hi, Laurie,

One walk in particular stands out in my experience, a hike from Loch Coruisk to the Sligachan Hotel through Glen Sligachan. It's eight miles one way, and depending on whether you are starting at the hotel or Loch Coruisk, you need to arrange transportation to or from Elgol by boat, in order to avoid having a long walk back via the Bad Step. You also need to arrange transportation between Sligachan and Elgol. The Stagecoach bus will get you from "The Slig" to Broadford. If you don't make the connection with the Broadford to Elgol bus, it's a taxi or a thumb!

If you start in Elgol, you could catch the first bus to Broadford, then the first connecting bus to Sligachan. After you reach Loch Coruisk, you can then catch the boat back to Elgol.

I would not try this hike if there has been several days of rain prior. There are a couple of stream crossings in the glen, and the final leg of the hike involves a crossing over the River Scavaig, which would be extremely difficult if it's in spate.

When Mrs A and I did this hike, there had been a long spell of dry weather, so the Scavaig crossing was easy, and all of the streams along Glen Sligachan had dried up. However, it took so long for us to make the hike that we missed the last bus, and had to take a taxi all the way back to Elgol! I still have nightmares about watching the taxi fare clicking higher and higher!

Another hike which you may consider is the Loch Coruisk circuit, which involves taking the boat from Elgol. That hike is on the Walk Highlands website. The west side of Loch Coruisk is extremely boggy, and wellies are almost mandatory. The Walk Highlands website gives it a bog factor of five (the highest)! Again, not recommended after heavy rain, as the circuit also involves a crossing of the Scavaig. We tried this hike once, but the non-existent path was so boggy that we had to turn around and head back to the Coruisk jetty. Wellies would have been helpful!

Whatever hikes you plan to take on Skye, you will be rewarded with some beautiful scenery.

Happy hiking, and Happy New Year!

Mike (Auchterless)

p.s.: A reservation is pretty much a necessity for the Elgol to Loch Coruisk part of any trip involving Loch Coruisk. Bella Jane and Misty Isles both serve that route

The circular walk...kilmarie_ Camunsuary bay_Elgol is a favourite.I have spent time at the bothy too as I am an MBA volunteer.
There's a few spots you need your witts about you on the coastal part of the walk after the bothy.

The walk out Rubha Hunish ,the northern tip of Skye is short ,on good trails and has an astonishing views.Seen eagles,dolphins and whales while there before as well as the northern lights on my birthday

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've downloaded the Walks Highland app and am finding it really helpful, especially their star ratings of how scenic each hike is.

So many options outside the usual suspects….

My own favourite hikes here if of interest with photos:

https://annestravelsandhikes.com/2017/05/25/my-favourite-skye-walks/

Kilmarie to Camasunary is probably my No 1 favourite relatively easy hike.Stunning, stunning scenery and usually very few people there.I’d caution going on to Elgol as the cliff sections have become very eroded and there have been recent serious accidents amongst walkers.

If you don’t mind an uphill hike, then the walk into Coire Lagan and the beautiful high Lochan there is a belter.

The walk out to the shelter at Rubha Hunish is excellent with gorgeous views to Harris’s mountain ranges.

The walk to the tidal island of Oronsay is wonderful, easy too though check tide tables.

If you don’t want to join the many walkers at Neist Point you can (carefully) park a mile or so before that and make your way up the rougher track that takes you to the top of Waterstein Head, the great prow overlooking the bay.The views are astonishing for a relatively short slog up.

The Dun Caan hike on Raasay is stunning..we did it in the New Year of 2024 ,using the short route from the parking area a few miles above the village itself and signposted to Dun Caan.

Some photos below albeit very wintry!

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBdKPF

I was hiking in Skye last May. I went to the Quirang and Old Man of the Storr and Fairy Glen for sunrise. Very few others around. Views Spectacular. Totally worth the early hour.

No traffic and no problems parking.

Fairy Pools I did later in the morning and the drive was harrowing. It was crowded and due to lack of rain, the waterfalls weren't spectacular.

We have a just about a matching set of Raasay photos Scotmac. Great shots and the wintry mood enhances them.

My husband hiked the fairy pools when we were there a few Aprils ago. It was busy but not wall-to-wall. It's an out and back, pretty touristy place. The Quaraing is not to be missed.