The fifth stage of the Skye Trail follows remote Glen Sligachan to the beautiful bay at Camusunary. From here a vertiginous cliff path with fantastic views across the water to the Cuillin reaches Elgol which has a shop, cafe, B&B and seafood restaurant. This is a good place to have a rest day and take the boat trip to Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillin if the weather is good.
Summary
Path along Glen Sligachan, narrow exposed cliff path to Elgol - great care needed as there have been serious accidents here.
Terrain
NG485299
Grid ref
18km/11.25 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
Buses from Portree and Broadford to Sligachan and Elgol (no. 49).
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. From the Sligachan Hotel cross the Dunvegan road and the old stone bridge, built by Thomas Telford and take the path up Glen Sligachan. Soon a gate is reached in the fence and one path goes through it to the left; continue straight on here, up a pitched section of path. The path continues clearly up the glen, although it becomes stonier and boggy in places. There are fine views of Sgurr nan Gillean to the right, and the Red Hills and then Marsco to the left. The path crosses numerous small streams, and after 3 km reaches a much larger one - the Allt na Measarroch. Cross this on large stones. After another boggy section, the path becomes drier.
2. The almost imperceptible watershed is reached after another 3 km, where two small lochs are in view to the right. Shortly after this, the path forks at a large cairn. The right fork heads up towards Sgurr na Stri, a fantastic viewpoint, and can also be used to reach Loch Coruisk and the boat to Elgol as a possible alternative summer route (make sure you have booked on the boat first). The Trail route instead continues down the glen on the left fork. Bla Bheinn (Blaven) dominates the view from here, its great western face looking unclimbable.
3. Pass Loch an Athain on the right and then the much large Loch na Creitheach, keeping to the lower path near the loch. Eventually the flat green land at Camusunary is reached. Here there is an open bothy, looked after by MBA volunteers (but due to close in 2012) at the far west side of the bay, and a house towards the east. If visiting the bothy, please carry out any rubbish and submit a report on its condition via its page on the MBA website. This route passes the house and follows the track to the bridge. From here follow the path to the south along the shore, which is a little boggy at first but soon improves and climbs the grassy slopes.
4. The path climbs a little across the hillside and crosses a stile over a wire fence. Looking back there are truly magnificent views across the waters of Loch Scavaig to the Cuillin - often reckoned to be the finest coastal view in the British Isles. There is a short rocky section above a steep drop, and after a couple of kilometres the path passes above another steep cliff, at times perilously close to the edge. Take great care on this section as walkers have fallen here. Soon the path descends to the safety of the bay at the foot of Glen Scaladal.
5. Beyond the glen, the path climbs again to a similarly vertigo-inducing section, before leaving the edge of the cliffs and eventually emerging through a gate onto a path between two fences and then a lane at the top of Elgol village with a house on the left. Follow the lane past another house to reach the road and turn right down the hill through Elgol. There is a tea-shop on the left hand side. From the harbour there are boat trips to Loch Coruisk and out to the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck. Continue on the road signed for Glasnakille to reach the public toilets, community centre and shop.
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