Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
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View Package PricesSaturday24 April 2027Sunday2 May 2027
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View Package PricesSaturday5 June 2027Sunday13 June 2027
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View Package PricesSaturday24 July 2027Sunday1 August 2027
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View Package PricesSaturday25 September 2027Sunday3 October 2027
Overview
The Skye Trail is a 7-day walk on the Isle of Skye, a beautiful, mountainous island off the west coast of Scotland.
It is a challenging, unofficial long-distance route. It is unmarked, and some sections are not even on paths. However, the challenge is well worth the effort, as you will experience some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland.
Along the way, you will pass the ruins of deserted villages, destroyed during the Highland Clearances. You will enjoy multiple views of the Cuillin Ridge and walk over the spectacular Trotternish Ridge past the famous Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing.
You will also have the chance to see the Isle of Skye’s diverse wildlife, including seals, otters, and eagles.
Highlights of the Skye Trail
- Walking the cleared coast, a place full of Scottish history.
- Views of the jagged Cuillin Ridge.
- Trekking along the Trotternish Ridge – 10 summits in one day!
- Walking through the incredible rock formations of the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing.
- End at the most Northerly point of the Isle of Skye.
Itinerary
Each day, you will be guided along the Skye Trail by your qualified and friendly walking guide, and all the logistics of your trek will be managed by your trek manager, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
We will be with you from the moment you set off in the morning to the moment you arrive at your accommodation in the evening. You will only need to carry your day bag, with essentials to keep you warm, dry, fed, and hydrated for the day. Your main luggage will be transported to your next accommodation for you.
Everything will be taken care of so that you can just enjoy the walking!
Today is the day we will all make our way to Broadford to begin our Skye Trail adventure. In the evening you will get a chance to meet the rest of your group, as well as your guides, for a welcome evening and briefing. This will be in a local pub/restaurant where you will have the option of an evening meal.
Accommodation in Broadford
This is the first day of walking, when the trip truly begins. Once everyone has sorted their lunches, we will begin our walk to Torrin.
We will leave Broadford via a minor road then good track with excellent views of Beinn na Caillich. This section of the trail follows the old Marble Line, the route of a railway that once connected Broadford to a series of marble quarries until their closure in 1912.
Next, we will follow a rougher path towards the coast, continuing along the shoreline of Loch Eishort to the ruins of Boreraig and Suishnish. The inhabitants of these hamlets were forcibly removed during the Highland Clearances in 1853.
A good track is followed by a short but rougher coastal section (our Thistle Trekking alternative to the road), leading us to Torrin. Along the way, we will enjoy excellent views of Bla Bheinn and the Red Cuillin hills and mountains.
Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 km)
Total ascent: 460m
Time: 5.5-6.5 hours
Accommodation in Broadford
Today’s walk to Elgol is an easier, shorter day.
We begin by following a section of road around the head of Loch Slapin, allowing you to take in the breathtaking views of Bla Bheinn and Clach Glas. Once we leave the road, we will ascend through forest to reach the heather moorland above. The path here is less defined and can be boggy underfoot, but the spectacular views of the Skye Trail behind us make it worthwhile.
After a glimpse of the Sleat Peninsula, we will descend back to the road before following it through Kilmarie to a secluded pebble beach. From there, we continue along good footpaths and tracks until we reach the road to Elgol.
The official route follows the road into Elgol. However, if the group is enthusiastic for some additional off-path walking, we have a Thistle Trekking alternative. This takes us around the headland over rough terrain, passing Prince Charles’ Cave before reaching Elgol. This option adds just over 2 miles to the day and is more strenuous.
Distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Total ascent: 400m
Time: 5-5.5 hours
Accommodation in Broadford
One of the most scenic days of the Skye Trail.
Today begins with a very narrow path over steep drops, where great care will be needed on this dramatic section. If you are nervous about heights, let your guide know – they will provide extra encouragement and support as well as offer an alternative start avoiding this section. The views from here towards the Black Cuillin are some of the most spectacular of the trek.
Once we reach the beach at Camasunary, the path becomes a wider trail. The terrain underfoot is easier, allowing us to fully enjoy the inspiring views of the Black Cuillin to the left and the Red Cuillin to the right. This path leads us all the way to Sligachan and offers one of the most beautiful walks in the UK.
Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 km)
Total ascent: 350m
Time: 6.5-7.5 hours
(Note: The exposed section mentioned above is not the infamous ‘Bad Step,’ which is not on the main Skye Trail route. Our walk today does not require scrambling, just careful walking.)
Accommodation in Broadford/Portree
Today we will head out of Sligachan, crossing a small river. We will then be following the narrow coastal path that gives excellent views over Loch Sligachan until we reach an area known as The Braes.
Once we reach The Braes, we will be rewarded with views over the Narrows of Raasay and to The Isle of Raasay. This section of The Skye Trail is straightforward with quiet road walking. Changing into cushioned trainers might be worth considering here, and our trek manager will be able to meet the group with any reserve footwear.
As we near Portree, we will leave the road and follow the estuary before making our way into the town itself where you will be able to walk into your accommodation.
Distance: 12 miles (19.5 km)
Total ascent: 300m
Time: 5.5-6.5 hours
Accommodation in Portree.
Today’s walk is to The Storr from Portree. We will begin by following the Skye Trail around the outskirts of Portree, with beautiful views over the harbour.
We will then climb steeply up above the sea cliffs to a rough path. For much of the day we continue following this undulating route over some rough and often boggy ground. The walk is well worth the effort, and many an eagle has been spotted in this area. On a clear day, views of Raasay, Rona, and even Torridon on the mainland can be enjoyed.
Heading north, we will soon gain views of The Storr and the main bulk of the Trotternish Ridge, our challenge for tomorrow.
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Total ascent: 600m
Time: 5-5.5 hours
Accommodation in Portree.
Today we will be walking the toughest section of the Skye Trail, the Trotternish Ridge.
The day will begin by climbing past the Old Man of Storr until we are on one of the finest ridge walks in the UK. After reaching the ridge line we start up the summit of Hartaval and continue on to Sgurr a’Mhalaidh, Beinn Edra and 7 other tops! After completing our final summit of Bioda Buidhe, we begin a final descent to the road.
Although this is an incredibly hard day, it is also perhaps the best and certainly the most memorable of the trail.
Distance: 14 miles (22.5 km)
Total ascent: 1450m (more than Ben Nevis)
Time: 9-10 hours
Accommodation in Portree.
On our last day we will begin by walking through The Quiraing. This incredible area includes the rock formations of The Prison, The Needle, and The Table, and is one of the most famous features on the Island. We will then descend past Loch Langaig to reach the road and the outskirts of Flodigarry. After a short walk down the road, you will continue along a very rough path, which soon becomes a scenic coastal route.
Much of the rest of the day will be on moorlands, making use of rough paths until we gain sight of the headland itself. The Skye Trail is complete once we reach the cliffs above Rubha Hunish, the closest we can get to the northern tip of the Isle of Skye without climbing the vertical cliffs below. Once here, the route is complete, and a short walk back over the moorland will bring us out to the road, where the van will take you back through Skye to Portree.
Distance: 10.5 miles (17 km)
Total ascent: 500m
Time: 6.5-7.5 hours.
Accommodation in Portree.
Today you will have come to the end of your holiday with us, and it is time for you to make your way home.
There are bus links from the main square in Portree to Inverness and Fort William. The nearest train station is in Kyle of Lochalsh, near the Skye road bridge, which can also be accessed by those bus services. The line runs to Inverness.
We offer a free transfer to Broadford/Kyle of Lochalsh for those who need it.
What's Included?
The cost includes
- Accommodation for 8 nights (breakfast included on B&B package)
- 7 days guided walking
- Qualified UK Mountain Leader as your guide
- Luggage transfers
- Support vehicle
- Full Information Pack
- Training advice
- Maximum group size of 12
Not included in our packages
- Lunches, snacks and dinners
- Arrival and departure transport
Accommodation Options
All our Skye Trail guided walking holidays are offered with the option of B&B, hostel or camping accommodation. Bed and breakfast is our most popular option for all our treks.
Bed & Breakfast
The Bed and Breakfast option provides you with good standard Bed and Breakfast accommodation, with breakfast included within the price of the holiday. The B&Bs we use are located within the island’s main villages, Broadford and Portree. We will return to these locations each day so you will have access to local shops and a choice of pubs/restaurants for evening meals.
Hostel
We offer this holiday with the option of hostel accommodation. This will be a bed in a shared dorm within a local hostel. Bathroom facilities are shared and there is access to a communal kitchen. This is a more basic accommodation option and great for those travelling on a budget.
Camping
We offer a camping option for those who want to get closer to nature.
You will need to provide your own tent and camping equipment, ensuring that this equipment is familiar to you. However, you will not need to carry this during the walk.
You may wish to bring a cooking stove so you can have a hot drink in the morning and/or to cook your evening meals on-site (campsites may be further from the local pubs than the B&Bs are).
Although the campsites are small and remote, they all have toilet and shower facilities, with some also offering drying rooms and washing machines.
FAQs
General
This trek is graded 4/5 on our trekking scale.
A more challenging trek usually due to longer days, lots of hills and/or pathless sections over rough ground. Treks of this grade will include more remote days/stages.
Most of the days on this trail sit at 3/5 or 4/5 on our difficulty scale, but this trek includes some rough terrain and one long and committing day, which is closer to 5/5. This is the sixth walking day described in the daily itinerary when we walk along the Trotternish Ridge.
To help you decide if this trip is right for you, please also refer to the itinerary, which includes daily distances, ascent, and detailed descriptions of the terrain.
You can read more about our grading system in our Trip Difficulty Guide.
Please note: all long-distance walking is challenging, particularly if you are not used to walking/exercising on consecutive days. What makes a trek challenging is personal and depends on your fitness, strengths, and preferences.
The Skye Trail is a fairly new long distance trail and so it has not yet gained the exceptional reputation that it thoroughly deserves.
However, the unsung character of this trek only adds to the dramatic sense of remoteness and wilderness that makes it so special. Although the popular viewpoints near the roadside will be busy, once on the route you will likely see only a handful of other walkers tackling the Skye Trail.
The Isle of Skye comes from the Norse word Sky-a, meaning cloud island. It has both mountain and coastal scenery that is nothing short of remarkable. During your trek you will get to experience some of the breathtaking sights. This includes both the Red and Black Cuillins; Skye’s most dramatic mountain range. You will have coastal views out to the islands of Soay, Rum, Scalpay and Raasay. You will trek along The Trotternish Ridge, walk through the rock formations fo the Quiraing, along Glen Sligachan and out to the most northerly part of the island.
The island also gives you the opportunity to see Skye’s great variety of wildlife; eagles, kittiwakes, fulmars, gannets and if you are lucky even puffins, minke whales, and schools of dolphin and porpoises.
The wildlife, scenery and Skye’s amazing history, make the Skye Trail an exceptional trek. However, it is well worth remembering this has been graded as one of our harder trails for a reason. The walking can be on rough, boggy and exposed paths, and some sections are even off path completely. While the difficulty of The Skye Trail must be respected, for those who are willing and able, the experience is well worth the effort!
The Skye Trail is one of our harder walks. This is due to some of the trail being “off path”, making it tougher going underfoot than trails like The West and The East Highland Way. There is also one very long day over the Trotternish Ridge which is committing and requires a good level of hill-fitness. The other days are less demanding in length but most include sections that are rougher underfoot than say the West Highland Way.
If you have enjoyed walking a long-distance trail before and got home feeling you could have managed something just slightly harder then this is a great trail for you. If you felt The West Highland Way or East Highland Way pushed you to your walking limits you may find this trail is a greater challenge than you would like.
Our first night is spent in Broadford. The best route to Broadford ousing public transport is either the bus from Glasgow or from Inverness by a combination of a train to Kyle of Lochalsh and a short bus/taxi journey to Broadford.
We do offer a free transfer from Fort William on arrival day as our support vehicle passes this way on route to Skye (limited spaces - 2.30pm departure). Going via Fort William isn't always the most efficient route so do explore your options before requesting a place on this transfer.
We use accommodation in Portree and Broadford since these are the only villages with options for eating out in the evening and shops to purchase snacks and packed lunch items. This means you will be better placed to fully recover after each day of walking and then be prepared for the next. There will, therefore, be a short drive before or after each day of walking.
Broadford - located on the beautiful east coast of The Isle of Skye and one of the larger villages on the island. However, by most people’s standard it would still be seen as a small village. It does have a large shop so you will have plenty of opportunity to buy your lunches there and it also has a good variety of hotels, pubs, and restaurants for your evening meal.
Portree - the biggest town on Skye, but it is still a small place. It does have a supermarket for lunch supplies, numerous pubs and restaurants to eat in, as well as a few take-aways. A walk around the village is worthwhile too and it also has some lovely views.
You will be provided with a full kit list, but as a guide the basics you will need are:
A small/medium rucksack (around 30 litres), walking boots, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket, hat, gloves, a spare warm layer and walking trousers (not jeans or denim), a water bottle, sun and midge protection.
With Thistle Trekking you get a personal service. We are happy to answer any questions and queries and help where we can with all aspects of your trip.
Your point of contact will be the same person from the first enquiry to the final communication before your Skye Trail trek.
Our guides are all qualified, experienced, and fun companions on the trail.
What our walkers said about their Skye Trail trek
We walked the Skye Trail with Thistle Trekking, and we cannot recommend it highly enough. Thistle Trekking is a small, Scottish company. If you want to “go local“ this is the way to go. Everyone involved in our trip went out of their way to ensure that we had the best possible experience.
All our accommodations were carefully chosen and run by the most lovely BnB hosts. What we did not realize when we booked our guided tour (it was our first) was that we got not only a guide but also the luxury of a trek manager who worked in the background and made sure that everything ran as smoothly as possible.
In our case, we had the pleasure of walking with Harry, who is not only incredibly kind-hearted and funny but also very knowledgeable about Scottish wildlife. He managed to instill a beautiful atmosphere in our group and was very considerate of everyone’s individual needs.
In addition, we had the pleasure of experiencing David as our trek manager, whose infectious smile and good-humoured nature made everyone enjoy the experience even more. Walking for hours in heavy rainfall feels like a walk in the park when you are greeted by David at the end of the trip. David really excelled at taking care of each of us individually.
Anita W
We cannot thank Harry, David and Thistle Trekking enough, and we would hike with Thistle anytime again.
It was a fantastic trek with stunning views and the guides Chris and Dean were excellent and very friendly. Thank you all!
Nicole S
It was a pleasure to spend the time with both Ed and Ian. Nothing was too much trouble and their navigation skills and knowledge of both the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the wildlife was to be admired.
John
Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
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View Package PricesSaturday24 April 2027Sunday2 May 2027
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View Package PricesSaturday5 June 2027Sunday13 June 2027
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View Package PricesSaturday24 July 2027Sunday1 August 2027
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View Package PricesSaturday25 September 2027Sunday3 October 2027
