We've got 6 days in Skye in a couple of weeks.
Never been before.
Will be taking our gravel bikes with us, not planning on riding all the time, would like to do some sightseeing/walking/eating/drinking.
Where's good for a pootle on the gravel bikes? Nothing too technical, last time we went on a cycling holiday my partner fell off the first day and spent the next 8 days in hospital having to have her eye socket put back together........
And apart from a wild swim/dip in the Fairy Pools what/where else should we plan to visit?
Thanks
You’ll probably have to queue for 6 days to get that dip in the fairy pools.
Look at walkhighlands.co.uk for ideas of walks but obviously stick to your comfort level for hiking.
This blog has lovely photos to entice you and their 'best of' which you can extend by doing some hiking: https://annestravelsandhikes.com/2017/05/25/the-best-of-skye/
I found the north half of the island Quiraing's amazing. Food is all pretty top notch, we ate in Portree mainly and Jann's Cakes in Dunvegan (opposite a certain MacAskill residence)
Neist Point also cool
The Cuillin ridge is truly awesome but pretty challenging unless you're very confident/experienced with heights and scrambling/climbing etc. Probably the most spectacular place I've been in the UK though. We hired a guide the first time and did some stuff we'd never have dared do without
https://skyeguides.co.uk/your-guides/mike-lates/
If you want a non-scrambling peak on the ridge Sgurr na Banachdich is doable but a bit of a slog to get up there.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/sgurrnabanachdich.shtml
For another non-scrambling (ie hands can pretty much stay in pockets) walk up onto the Cuillin Ridge, Bruach na Frithe at the northern end is the one to go for. And you can start/finish at the Sligachan Hotel. Head NW from the road towards the Bealach a' Mhaim, then take the NNW ridge of the hill. It gets you tremendous views of Am Bhasteir, Lota Corrie and the southern end of the ridge, without ever being at all technical.
Bruach na Frithe is probably the easiest peak to access on the Cuillin ridge.
Bla Bheinn is a great view point to see the whole ridge and most of the Red Cuillin. No scrambling required for either.
If you go to The Old Man of Storr walk up on to The Store for amazing views.
Raasay is worth a trip too.
You can ride to Neist Point from Dunvegan on a hybrid - there's a couple of short sheep hills but it's fine
The walk from Elgol to Camasunary is lovely
@scotroutes will have some ideas too
Spend your days travelling back onto the mainland and enjoy your holiday.
We did the Cuillin ridge in stages every other day and then on the off days went sight seeing / climbing. IIRC we climbed onto the rock from Highlander where one of the fight scenes in the movie was shot.
Lots of stuff already mentioned, but...
Walk - Sligachan, over the shoulder of Sgurr na Stri to Loch Coruisk, past the "Bad Step" to Camasunary and back to Sligachan.
Walk - up to Coire a Ghrunnda from Glen Brittle. It's up to you how far you go but even if you don't make it all the way to the ridge there are some nice wee scrambles over bigger boulders and you can skip the worst by sticking to a path on the left side of the corrie.
Walk or ride - Broadford up the old railway line to the marble quarries and back (also in Broadford, pizza at Cafe Sia).
Walk - a short walk in to the Lookout Bothy at Rubha Hunish
Coral beaches up at Dunvegan.
For swimming in a pool, head up the Bruich na Frithe path from the Sligachan end. The terrain is almost identical to the Fairy Pools and you'll see no one.
There's somewhere to park your bike too 😉
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If you're passing through Dunvegan do stop for cake here;
https://goo.gl/maps/BZZRoBJmPg4JgkVp7
Much more appetising that @scotroutes ass.
Get on instagram and look for the top ten #skye destinations.
Don't go there between 9am and 6.30pm. Enjoy them outside those hours.
Day on the Trotternish Peninsula- Old Man of Storr and Quirang.
Glen Brittle up to the Corrie, and if feeling brave the Cioch or “rock from Highlander”. Walk around shore to Loch Coruisk is another option.
Thought that Jann’s Cakes was overpriced and too sweet - obviously used to tourists paying ripoff entry prices Dunvegan Castle (Not worth bother either)
If weather is good, wildlife boat trip might be worthwhile - seals, dolphins, basking sharks etc
The scenery is beautiful, as is the drive up. Thankfully I never saw that when I went 👆 or I might not be saying that!
We stayed in Plockton which is a lovely town just over the bridge with some nice pubs
I'd love to have climbed the Cuillin ridge but too hardcore for me and my wife!
Loads of nice gentler walks including Old Man of Storr which is great but quite busy. We saw seals, otters and dolphins on a coastal walk on the southern bit.
For a nice day trip we took the ferry down to Mallaig and the train to Fort William which is a fantastic journey through the Highlands, and they run a steam train sometimes.
You can pick up fresh langoustines in the fish market in Kyle of Lochalsh, perfect for the barbie
I'm biased but Raasay is worth the trip. Take the bikes over and the road north has it all. Very little traffic and lots to see. I think Raasay House might be serving food again but worth checking
Raasay nice on a bike and not too challenging, look up to the sky you will probably see a white tailed eagle floating about, feed yourself at the big hoose and buy some gin at the distillery
Thanks for all the replies!
A bit of a list to get started with.
Don't mind a bit of height and an easy scramble but not a fan of anything too exposed
(Jack's Rake is about my limit).
And err, thanks for the tip scotroutes (maybe not the pic!) regarding the Bruich na Frithe path.
Would love to go find "the rock from Highlander" (loved that film), but perhaps a little too extreme for someone who finds Jack's Rake a bit of a challenge.....?? (edit: forget that, just read the route info)
Thanks again.
Walk – up to Coire a Ghrunnda from Glen Brittle
An excellent walk.
Just as a heads up, we were up here visiting family. The petrol station at Sheil Bridge was shut with no plans to open any time soon. The next two at Inverinate and Kyle were both shut on Sundays. We were travelling on a Sunday and managed on vapours to get to the 24hr Coop Petrol station at Broadford. We weren't going to Skye but need to do the detour to get fuel.
Instead of the Fairy pools, how about a swim in Lock Courisk? Near deserted when I've been,very dramatic surroundings. Stunning. Boat from Egol.
Also recommended Neist, the Quiraing, exploring Sleat peninsula especially, very different and quieter quite a few estate tracks and roads heading over the west side iirc, stunning sunsets there sometimes. Lastly Kyle Rhea, very out of the way down there and think there's gravel friendly trails along the west side, otters if you're lucky.