The Dirty 30 'mini-challenge' is an excellent circuit. The walk around the coast from Glenelg to Ardintoul is stunningly scenic and is followed by a tramp over the forest hill road back to Glenelg.
Summary
A mixture of minor road, forestry track, and footpaths.
Terrain
Users'
rating
1. From the Village Hall in Glenelg head inland along the main road away from the shop. Cross the river and turn left at the junction to walk along the road leading to the Skye ferry (summer only). After passing the first house, there are good views back to the remains of Bernera Barracks. Keep on the road as it climbs away from the shore until a small car park is signed to the right just before the road descends to the ferry. Turn in here and go through the gate onto the track at the far end of the car park. Ferry House can be seen below through the trees and across the narrows, the houses at Kylerhea. Continue on the track, passing through two farm gates and into an area of open ground where the lighthouse can be seen on the far side of the water and a bench is passed.
2. The track now heads uphill and inland slightly and goes through a gate into forestry. At a junction turn left towards the shore and pass under a pylon after which the track narrows to a lovely path through mixed woodland with glimpses of the water below. Descend to cross a stream and after climbing up the other side, the path gradually leads down to the shore at Camas nan Gall. Here forestry operations have recently cleared pine trees on the shore side of the path so care needs to be taken. The path is clear to follow as it keeps to the edge of the shore along this delightful bay where otters and sea birds can often be seen.
3. Keep on the shore path alongside the stone wall as the path heads towards Ardintoul Point. Half way out to the point, turn sharp right through a break in the wall to follow a track inland going through a gate. At the junction, just before a large barn, turn left and pass some sheds and Ardintoul House. This is the first checkpoint on the Dirty 30 Challenge day. At the shore turn right and follow the road round to the right, ignoring the turning to the left to the other house and keeping right to pass a ruined barn on the left and then the road curves to the left and heads steeply uphill.
4. There are great views back over Ardintoul and Loch Alsh. Continue following the road as it climbs up through the forestry to the Bealach Luachrach. From the top of the bealach it is downhill all the way. Continue following the road on the descent; it eventually swings sharply left and leaves the forestry. Follow the road as it turns right and heads down Gleann Bernera to reach the Glenelg Ferry road. Here turn left and retrace your steps back to the start, finally turning right at the junction to return to Glenelg.
Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?
Please let us know by using the error report form.
Route profile
