Balmacara Woods and Reraig circuit

Summary

This waymarked trail can be started from Balmacara Square, and follows a series of signposted wooded paths on the slopes of Sgùrr Mòr . It visits the hamlet of Reraig before returning to Balmacara - with some great views over Loch Alsh, Skye and through the narrows of Kyle Rhea.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked paths throughout; a fair amount of ascent is involved and there is one very steep descent - which can be avoided by taking the short cut.

Getting there

Start

Balmacara Square.

Public Transport

Balmacara is 1km off the A87(T) which is served by Citilink buses.

Start Grid Ref

NG806284

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.25km / 3.25 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 236m (Profile)

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Explorer 428 - Kyle of Lochalsh

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Park in the car park at the south end of Balmacara Square. This is a picturesque spot with several old cottages around a village pond. Part of the old stable block is a National Trust interpretative centre. The walk begins along the road south towards Reraig - there is a Forest Walks sign by the car park. After a very short distance along the road, turn left ('Skye View' walk sign with blue marker) - passing through a pedestrian gate and following a path which almost doubles back the way you came - ignore the track - also signed - just beyond. Once the path reaches the stream the path bends right, and then enters a recently felled area of forest through a gate.

Stage 2

The path soon begins to climb and gives good views back towards Balmacara. After a steep final section emerges on a broad forestry track. Head uphill along the track, and left at the fork; after a short distance further on turn right off the track onto another path (signed Skye View Trail and Kirkton).

Stage 3

The path continues to gain height through the trees. Soon it reaches a fork; if you wish to shorten the route, bear right on the route signed 'Skye View Trail' which avoids the steep descent and visit to Reraig, rejoining the route at the end of stage 5. Otherwise, bear left (signed Kirkton) and continue on the path, climbing gently across the slopes. In winter there are good views over Loch Alsh, but in high summer the leaves on the trees impede the view. The path doglegs slightly right at one point before continuing to ascend alongside an old moss-grown drystone wall.

Stage 4

The path soon begins to descend across steep ground, with a glimpse to the mountains of Kintail. It turns very sharply right at one point to continue its increasingly steep descent through beautiful woodland. At the foot of the slope it reaches another path at a 'T' junction (red marker post)- turn right here. Follow the main path to the hamlet of Reraig. The path passes round the left side of the garden of the first house before reaching the road. Continue along the road, keeping right at the junction with another road.

Stage 5

Shortly after this and before the last bungalow fork left onto a path once more, still following the marker posts. Ignore another path which goes off left to the main road and instead continue on the 'red' trail. The path now crosses more open ground with fine views across Loch Alsh to the Isle of Skye. At a junction, the Skye View trail joins back in from the right (this is where you will rejoin the route if you took the short-cut earlier). Keep ahead.

Stage 6

The trail has excellent good views, both behind, across to the Skye bridge and the Cuillin, or down the narrows that separate Skye from Lochalsh. After a short distance you will reach the Balmacara road. Turn right up the road to return to Balmacara Square.

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