Skye Trail - May 2012

[TyFLy]

Hello all,

First thread in this forum so firstly I'd like to say hello to everyone !

My question concerns - as stated in the title - the Skye Trail, which I'd very much like to do between May 5th and 13th, as I have managed to secure a few days off work at that time.

I've read all that I could find about that path, including parts of the sweet book by Cameron McNeish.

It is stated many times that the hike is quite difficult. I'm a young man (23), in good physical condition (do quite a lot of sports), have walked a few times around the alps and the Ecrins (in France), and would say that I cope well with steep ascents.

I'm trying to figure out whether this trail would be suitable for a guy like me, provided I get myself all the necessary gear (especially the waterproof clothes/compass/detailed maps), or rather, is it really too complicated for someone who doesn't already have a strong backpacking experience.

I'm really keen on taking this journey but wouldn't want to stick myself in a situation I couldn't handle, so this is why I'd be happy to have some advice from people who have already taken this trip, or know about it.

I've considered trying to WHW also, but after doing some research it seemed to me that this hike, although apparently splendid, was slightly lacking the rugged mountainous terrain I enjoy so much (but I might be wrong).

Thanks for your advice on this !

Cheers,
Loic

[Caberfeidh]

I reckon the Alps should make a good training ground for Skye ! I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck with the weather.

[The-Big-Grey-Man]

Why dont you do the west highland way first. One thing to bear in mind that hill walking and back packing are different beasts entirely. For doing a longer trail like the Skye trail you have to take a larger rucksack with mayby 25 pounds worth of gear which will become hard to humph about if your not used to it. You should try and do a few days of long walking in the hills, camp out over night, to get used the weight on your shoulders. I did the west highland way a few years ago and found carrying the extra weight in the rucksack quite hard.

[Caberfeidh]

Why dont you do the west highland way first. One thing to bear in mind that hill walking and back packing are different beasts entirely. For doing a longer trail like the Skye trail you have to take a larger rucksack with mayby 25 pounds worth of gear which will become hard to humph about if your not used to it. You should try and do a few days of long walking in the hills, camp out over night, to get used the weight on your shoulders. I did the west highland way a few years ago and found carrying the extra weight in the rucksack quite hard.

Do what you want. Carrying a pack with your food and camping stuff is all part of it. Remember on the route you can pick up food at shops in Staffin, Portree and...well, that's about it. There is a tiny food store at Elgol. And off route in Broadford and Kyle. Have a look at these photies and make up your own mind.

And beware of the sheep monster!!!

[LDPWalker]

Caberfeidh

One could almost get the impression that you were trying to put him off the Skye Trail........

[RicKamila]

Have you tried this book aswell?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Long-Walk-Isle-Skye-75-mile/dp/0952190842/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330607545&sr=8-1

[johnkaysleftleg]

Have you tried this book aswell?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Long-Walk-Isle-Skye-75-mile/dp/0952190842/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330607545&sr=8-1

Worth buying just for the photography alone. Some stunning pics.

[RicKamila]

Have you tried this book aswell?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Long-Walk-Isle-Skye-75-mile/dp/0952190842/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330607545&sr=8-1

Worth buying just for the photography alone. Some stunning pics.

Bought it after the B&B we stayed at near Uig 2 years ago had it on the coffee table. Stunning photos, but a great read too.

[TyFLy]

Thanks a lot for the replies, indeed I'm sure that carrying a heavy backpack around isn't something i'm really used to. I'm still undecided between the Skye Trail and the West Highland Way.

My dates have changed though, I'll be taking the trip from June 2nd to June 10th, so I'm guessing that the weather might be friendlier at that time of year, along with other people taking the trail also.

Hard to get a good idea of the difficulty of the trip, but these pictures sure look amazing, and it was looking at similar ones that sparked my interest in taking the trip.

I'll still be glad to hear advice from anyone who's taken the trail !

Cheers,
Loic

[Liathach]

I did the trail last year with a few friends albeit in two parts due to blisters. We saw no other folk on the route but we did enjoy it. The north section along the cliff edge is interesting but it's a wee bit of a chav as it's crofting land and there are barbed wire fences to negotiate! The Glen Sligachan section is spectacular.

[Paul Webster]

it's crofting land and there are barbed wire fences to negotiate

Our Skye Trail route avoids most of that section across the crofts at the start by instead making a start along the spectacular coastline to Flodigarry,.

[Liathach]

That was where we found the barbed wire fences!