Skye Trail, Scotland: 4 places on the route from Am Mam Pass
Explore the Skye Trail, an unofficial 120km hiking route across Scotland's Isle of Skye, traversing glens, mountain ridges, and rugged terrain from south to north. This challenging self-navigated path gains over 5,000 meters in elevation through remote landscapes with opportunities for wild camping.
- Distance
- 549.5 km
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Am Mam Pass
- End
- Isle of Skye
- Stops
- 4
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Am Mam Pass — Mountain pass on the Skye Trail offering panoramic views; marks transition into challenging ridge walking sections with exposure.
- Am Mam Pass Mountain Crossing — High mountain pass offering panoramic views across the Scottish Highlands, a challenging waypoint on remote backcountry trails.
- Trotternish Ridge — Extremely exposed and challenging ridge section in northern Isle of Skye resembling the back of a sleeping dragon; most difficult portion of the trail.
- Isle of Skye — Remote Scottish island famous for dramatic mountain ridges, glens, and rugged wilderness; popular hiking destination covering 120 kilometers south to north.
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- The Skye Trail is an unofficial unmarked 75-80 mile route across Isle of Skye. You must be able to read a map well for self-navigation over glens, valleys, ridges, mountains, and cliffs.
- Timing
- Plan for approximately 120 kilometers and 5,000 meters of elevation gain on the south-to-north Skye Trail route. The hike typically takes 5-6 days to complete.
- Where to stay
- Wild camping is legal on Isle of Skye as long as you leave no trace, do not disturb wildlife, and act as a respectful visitor. Scottish right to roam laws permit this.
- Tip
- Bothies are free shelters accessible to anyone across Scotland for sleeping, seeking shelter, or having lunch. Use them to escape bad weather on the trail.
- Avoid
- There is a 15-kilometer tarmac section on the Skye Trail that hikers commonly skip. Consider taking a taxi or bus instead of hiking this asphalt stretch.
- Transport
- If ordering a taxi in remote areas, be prepared that it may not arrive. Local buses are a reliable alternative for skipping undesirable sections of the trail.
- Avoid
- The Trotternish Ridge is the most challenging section of the Skye Trail—extremely exposed with steep climbs across the northern section of Isle of Skye.
- Food
- Carry extra water on exposed sections. Streams marked on maps may not be running. Even though water is heavy (2kg per 2 liters), collect it for safety rather than risk dehydration.
- Tip
- Wear quick-drying trail running shoes rather than Gore-Tex for wet Scottish conditions. Quick-drying shoes dry out much faster than waterproof boots that stay wet.
- Avoid
- Waterproof trousers are recommended for the Skye Trail. Rain is frequent and regular trousers become wet, especially at the bottoms by day's end.
- Timing
- Allow recovery days on long-distance hikes, especially after high-mileage sections. A shorter day with bus transport helped prepare for the challenging Trotternish Ridge.
Video on this route
I Took My Dog on Scotland’s Most Dramatic Trail (75 Miles)