Portree Forest and bay

Summary

A lovely mixed walk starting from Las (formerly 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.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Woodland path (steep at first), track, road and salt marsh path - always soggy, could be impassable at highest tide.

Public Transport

Regular buses to Portree.

Start

Las theatre, cinema, cafe, shop (formerly Aros Centre), just south of Portree. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 120m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG477424

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

The walk starts from the Las venue and shop, just south of Portree on Viewfield Road. If driving, you can either park at Las (gates are locked after 5pm 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 from furthest end of the car park from the Las building. Although planted forestry, this woodland is packed with bluebells and other wildflowers in spring.

Stage 2

Ignore the first turning to the left and instead continue up to an open area of ground, beneath the transmission lines. After the path re-enters the forest and heads uphill; ignore another turning on 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.

Stage 3

After a dark section of forest the path emerges at a viewpoint (largely obscured by trees) 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.

Stage 4

After almost a kilometre a junction is reached. 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.

Stage 5

The road is often very busy and care needs to be taken. Cross the road and turn left to head along the verge for a short distance. At the first junction turn right downhill following the road for the Braes. 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. Follow the path which soon emerges onto the salt marsh surrounding the bay. This section of path is passable except at the highest tide, but it is usually soggy underfoot. There is a faint path but look out for the watery holes in the spongy ground.

Stage 6

Follow the path as it skirts the edge of the shore. At low tide this is a great place for wading birds and is also 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.

Stage 7

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 Las during opening hours.

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