Skye Trail 3: The Storr to Portree - coastal route

Summary

The third stage of the Skye Trail long distance route, takes a short section of road to an unpromising start across rough moorland at the coast. This soon leads to a fabulous parade along the top of dramatic coastal cliffs with superb views. The stage ends in Portree where there is a hostel, campsite, B&Bs and hotels, restaurants, shops, ATM and post office.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Pathless, boggy and rough for the first 3km after leaving the road; excellent but pathless cliff-top walking follows but with some steep ground.

Public Transport

Bus from Portree - get off near Storr car park.

Start

Storr car park on the left side of the A855 heading from Portree towards Staffin. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 4.5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 509m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG509528

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

This stage along the coastal cliffs north of Portree can be combined with a visit to Bearreraig Bay, or if time and energy are abundant, an ascent of the Storr. If starting from the Storr car park (parking charge, toilets and seasonal coffee kiosk), turn right facing the road and head south along the A855 towards Portree for a short way to the bus stop. Turn left to take the minor road towards the coast passing a house on the left. Pass the parking area and cross the Loch outflow, most of the water is siphoned off through the giant pipes to power the hydro-electric scheme. Before the house and the building housing the funicular railway which serves the power station below, turn right to leave the road at a path sign. Follow a short section of path skirting the house. Before the path bends left to head down the side of the funicular building turn right onto a faint path marked with paving slabs at first to head uphill aiming for a post seen ahead on the highest ground. It is however first worth detouring down to the left to admire the view over Bearreraig Bay.

Stage 2

Head south across the soggy moorland. Rather than following the traces of a path veering left towards the fence, it is better to head up to the minor hilltop ahead (marked by a wooden lookout post). From the hilltop, there is a good view back of the Storr. Continue south, always keeping to the highest ground; grassy knolls are broken by occasional descents across boggy cols. After a couple of kilometres, the grassy crest you have been following ends; from here, make a beeline across the moor, aiming for a grassy gully breaking the line of cliffs ahead. Ascend this easy gully to reach better ground.

Stage 3

The route now follows the edge of the escarpment, first southeast and then turning south once more. Soon you will reach the foot of a steep crag - don't follow the obvious sheep track keeping left of this, but instead head right and ascend to the clifftop. The views from here are superb, both back to the Storr and across the sea to Raasay, Rona and Torridon. The next section of the walk is a delight on excellent turf. Follow the clifftop over the summit of Fiurnean, then cross a col before ascending Craig Ulatota.

Stage 4

The trig point on the summit of Sìthean Bhealaich Chumhaing comes into view and is soon reached. At 392 metres, this is the highest point of the walk; the reward is a view of the distant Cuillin. As you continue south along the clifftop, the view seems to get even better. At Rubha na h-Airde Glaise the escarpment turns southwest, before ending at Creag Mhor.

Stage 5

There are good views towards Ben Tianavaig. The direct descent from here to the Bile pastures far below is barred by crags, so head right as you descend steep, rough and boggy ground to reach a post and wire fence. There is a stile just up to the right, after crossing this return down alongside the fence and then descend a faint path alongside the stream. At the bottom head right to cross a broken down stone wall to reach the flatter pastures. Head across these, passing through gates at each of the two fences.

Stage 6

At the far end of the pasture is a drystone wall; keep left of this until you find a soggy path which leads to a wooden gate in the wall, don't be tempted to cross the broken down gaps in the wall, the gate is right at the far end of the wall near the sea. Go through this and turn left on the now excellent path which heads round the coast into Portree, emerging on Scorrybreck Road. Follow this road around the coast and uphill slightly to join the main road where you turn left to follow Bosville Terrace into the centre of the village.

Next stage: Portree to Sligachan

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