Isle of Skye
28km/17½ miles 10-11 hours
1
NG495510 From the parking area by Loch Leathan, follow the path north-west across moorland. Head to the right of the bealach and as you gain height, make for a path climbing diagonally right to left across the escarpment and follow this up to the ridge at Bealach Mor. Head north-east along the escarpment, gaining height before dropping a little into the Bealach Beag, skirting above the bowl scooped out of the escarpment’s edge. Begin the steep 260m pull northeastwards up
The Storr’s grassy southern flank. Near the summit there are fantastic views into Coire Faoin and the Storr Sanctuary with a grandstand view of the Old Man of Storr – a jutting 535m rock pinnacle. Continue to the summit trig point of The Storr, the highest peak of the Trotternish Ridge at 719m.
2
NG495540 From the summit head north-westwards away from the north ridge and descend steadily towards the Bealach a’ Chuirn (489m). Climb northwestwards from the bealach, steeply at first then more steadily to the summit of Hartaval at 668m. From Hartaval the ridge bends initially northwards then around to the north-west as you descend to Bealach Hartaval. The next hill on the traverse is Baca Ruadh (639m) with the lower top ofSgurr a’ Mhalaidh (615m) crossed just before the main summit. The promontory of Sgurr a’ Mhadaidh Ruadh juts north-eastwards from the ridge and is reached by following the edge of the escarpment around in a big curve, first north-west then north-east. The summit (593m) gives fine views along the escarpment, particularly northwards to the distant Quiraing.
3
NG473584 Return along the promontory, swinging north-west to continue along the ridge, then descend to a bealach before making the short, steep climb to Creag Liath (609m). Make the short descent to Bealach na Leacaich, crossed by a fence and dilapidated drystone wall, before climbing to the whalebacked summit of Flasvein (599m). Drop down into Bealach Chaiplin then make the short ascent of Groba nan Each (575m). From the summit continue along the narrowing ridge close to the escarpment edge, avoiding crags on the north-western flank, and descend to the Bealach Amadal. Cross Beinn Mheadhonach (579m) to reach the Bealach Mhoramhain beneath Beinn Edra. The easy ascent along the ridge benefits from a path leading to the summit (611m) marked with a trig pillar and drystone shelter wall.
4
NG455626 Continue northwards, keeping close to the cliffs as you descend for over 300m to the Bealach Uige – arguably the best camping spot along the ridge; fresh water can be collected from a small cascade (NG444639) nearby. Continue north-westwards over the slight rise of Druim na Coille at 321m and follow the ridge as it dips down to the Bealach nan Coisichean at the foot of Bioda Buidhe’s steep southern flank. Climb steeply north with the edge of the escarpment to your right then, as the gradient slackens, bear north-east towards the summit of Bioda Buidhe (466m).
5
NG439664 From the summit follow a trodden path descending along the escarpment edge. The path follows a cliff edge north-west a short way as it angles obliquely away from the main escarpment. Descend from this low cliff to follow the main path along the escarpment edge; this leads down to a car park on the Bealach Ollasgairte (the only road crossing the Trotternish Ridge runs between Uig in the west and Staffin in the east).
6
NG440679 Cross the road and join a signposted path heading initially north-eastwards, towards the Quiraing. After 1.5km the path leads between a cluster of pinnacles including the remarkable spire-like Needle above to the left and the sinister edifice of The Prison on the right. The path rounds a bend at an overhanging rock and continues north, passing beneath The Table, an expanse of level, close-cropped turf sitting atop a raised rock platform. A short way beyond The Table a fork in the path is reached; turn right and soon descend past Loch Hasco. Continue on past Loch Langaig before reaching the A855 just south of Flodigarry.