A lovely mixed walk starting from the Aros Centre on the outskirts of Portree and including a steep walk through forestry and then open views over Portree bay followed by a walk along the salt marsh next to the water. Good opportunities for bird watching on this pleasant circuit.
Summary
Paths, track, road and salt marsh path (which can be wet or impassable at very high tides) - one very steep uphill section.
Terrain
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1. The walk starts from the Aros Centre, just south of Portree on Viewfield Road. If driving, you can either park at Aros (gates are locked after 6pm unless there is an event on - ask at reception) or in the layby for the Cemetery on the other side of the road. To start the walk, take the footpath marked Forest Walk from the car park at the furthest point from the Aros building. Although planted forestry, this woodland is packed with bluebells and other wildflowers in spring. Ignore the first turning to the left and soon you cross an area of open ground with a bench.
2. After the path re-enters the forest continue uphill, ignoring another turning to the left. The path now climbs steeply through the pines. The path curves to the left and levels off a bit, keep to the right, passing the next two turnings to the left which head downhill. After a dark section of forest the path emerges at a viewpoint with a picnic bench and then continues uphill at the edge of the forest until it meets a forestry track. Turn left onto the track (the path to the right returns to the Aros Centre for a much shorter walk). and follow it as it rises slightly and passes an area of cleared forest with good views over Portree bay and Ben Tianavaig directly across the valley.
3. At a junction keep left and head gently downhill, passing another area of pine trees. Keep following this track as heads downhill, zig zagging on the last section before you pass through a gate and onto the main road. This road can be busy and care needs to be taken. Cross the road and turn left to head along the road for a short distance. At the first junction turn right downhill following the road for the Braes.
4. Just before the river, go through a metal farm gate on the left to follow the river bank. The track soon narrows to a path between large gorse bushes which can look (and smell) spectacular when in bloom. Ignore the small path off to the right and follow the route which soon emerges onto the salt marsh surrounding the bay. This section of path is passable except at the highest of neep tides, but can get a little soggy at high tide. There is a faint path but look out for the watery holes in the spongy ground.
5. Follow the path as it skirts the edge of the shore. At low tide this is a great place for wading birds and at anytime is a good spot to look for sea-eagles circling above. There are good views ahead to Portree, with the pine-clad “lump” which overlooks Portree harbour prominent.
6. Keep following the path on the shoreline which passes through bracken in summertime. After crossing a stream, there is a grass and bracken slope on the left with a few rowan trees on it. Take the indistinct path up through this ground to emerge onto the road just opposite the entrance to the Aros Centre and the start of the walk. If you get as far as the hut on the shore you need to retrace your steps to locate the path up to the road. Refreshments and toilets are available at the Aros Centre during opening hours.
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