I have hiked and scrambled many alternatives to the standard Skye Trail over the years and describe them here. To be honest the standard route is great as well, but particulary the first alternative, Coruisk-Sgurr na Stri is fantastic if you are up for it. You can click the map below for an interactive version.
All require solid navigation skills – and some scrambling for 1,2,3 and 4. If you are considering any of these you should do your own planning with maps and further resources such as Ralph Storer’s ’50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay’ book (lots in there for a lifetime of great adventures on Skye). ‘Skye Scrambles’ by the Scottish Mountaineering Club is also good…..
Red- Main Skye Trail
Purple- Alternatives
1. Coruisk – Sgurr na Stri
A superb trip that requires good navigation skills with a short scramble. A few hours longer than the main Skye Trail.
Leaving the Skye Trail at Camasunary I headed west along the lovely beach then crossed the river in September 2022 (tidal and I had to wade) and followed the rough coastal trail to the west past the ‘Bad Step’ (Grade 2 scramble) to Loch Coruisk. I have been here many times over the years and the scramble looks a little intimidating being perched above the sea but has good solid handholds and is a very short crossing of a steep slab (maybe 10 meters?)
I took the trail north over a pass before descending down into Glen Sligachan to connect again with the main Skye Trail.
Better still is to also cut back south near the pass on a trail to the summit of Sgurr na Stri for some brilliant views. Return back to the trail to Glen Sligachan.
2 Loch Coruisk and Bealach na Glaic Moire
This route includes the same scramble (Bad Step, Grade 2) but mostly the challenge is navigating over some pathless, rough mountain territory. Not recommended in misty weather.
This is an interesting and atmospheric mountain route round the coast to Loch Coruisk via the ‘Bad Step’ (Grade 2 scramble) as per route 1, then along the south of Loch Coruisk, up over the Cuillin ridge at Bealach na Glaic Moire (pass of the big glade) then a scrabbling scree descent to connect with trails on the west of the mountains to Sligachan.
I followed route 1 in September 2022 to Loch Coruisk then left it by crossing the loch outlet using stepping stones (very tricky if the river is high) and picked up a rough trail along the south side of Loch Coruisk.
The going was very rough, steep and slow all the way up to the Bealach but the views are superb and this route takes you into the heart of the Cuillin mountains and over the crest to the north side.
On the descent I carefully traversed right along a grassy shelf to find the top of the steep scree descent to easier grassy ground and alpine meadows.
From the grassy ground and river, I trended right away from the river gorge on a faint trail down to pick up a better trail heading northward skirting the edge of the hills to the gentle Bealach a’Mhaim. A good path now follows the river with lovely waterfalls to Sligachan.
3 Druim nan Ramh ridge
This route is a varient on routes 1 and 2 needing the ability to scramble (Bad Step, Grade 2 plus another short Grade 2 near the top of the Druim nan Ramh ridge) but again the challenge is navigating over some pathless, rough mountain territory. Not recommended in misty weather.
Purple dotted line above. This is a varient on the above two routes and involved following the long ridge on the north side of Loch Curuisk. I took the Bad Step route as per 1 (Grade 2 scramble), then the trail north over to the pass, then split north west along the Druim nan Ramh ridge. This offered great views and was easy until near the top before the junction with the main Skye ridge. The least difficult route involved some Grade 2 scrambling avoiding the ridge on the left looking up for the final stretch. The book ‘Skye Scrambles’ by the Scottish Mountaineering Club was helpful. I arrived at Bealach na Glaic Moire as per route 2, bivouaced for the night then I followed that route to Sligachan.
4 Blaven south ridge
This ascends Blaven, a 3,000-foot mountain with some scrambling and navigation required.
We have only done this route as part of a day trip, and it would be tougher carrying backpacking equipment if on the Skye Trail as it involves a steep 3,000 foot ascent from sea level. That said, Blaven is a great mountain, visible and distinctive from afar, that calls out to be climbed with fab views.
5 Camasunary short cut
A good quality trail. We have hiked this a few times. It’s included here as it offers a shortcut between Camasunary and Kilmarie if required. Although by doing so you miss the fine coastal walk between Elgol and Camasunary on the main Skye Trail.
6 Spar Cave
This is the one alternative, more of a side trip, that we haven’t done…although we would love to as the cave looks fantastic. Note that access to the cave is tidal but Walkhighlands provides all the details.
7 Storr ridge
This is the southern continuation of the Trotternish ridge on the Skye Trail. It’s less frequented though and involves some similar trackless and occasionally boggy ridge walking.
From Portree you need to walk up the A855 main road for about 1.5 miles before heading out cross country up the hills.
This is worthwhile and there are some really nice views including hiking to the top of the hill, The Storr above the Old Man of Storr, but to be honest I think the main Skye Trail route is better.
8 Quiraing north ridge
This is a route I did about 20 years ago northbound by splitting from the Quiraing trail before it descends to Flodigarry and following a trail to climb onto the north end of the Quiraing ridge.
I traversed some really scenic tops before descending boggy ground north west to the road at Kilmaluag. A short local road north took me to Kilmaluag bay and connecting with the main Skye Trail for its final flourish along the coast to Rubha Hunish.
Given the choice though I think the main Skye Trail has more merit with greater variety and drier ground for walking!
A wee walk 