Glen Sligachan

Glen Sligachan is one of Skye's special places, and that is of course saying something. 

This long glen runs from sea to sea, dividing the Black from the Red Cuillin mountains, a deep gash between Skye's two great ranges. As you walk along it, you get close-up views to your west of the cliffs and summits and great jagged ridge of the Black Cuillin, which are famed as Britain's most exciting ridge walk, with superb views of their Red counterparts on the other side (east). It is a miraculous place, grim on a dark day, and laden with myth and history of clan battles.

You follow a good path much of the way, although this is a rough and frequently boggy route (much harder after rainy conditions than dry). The floor of the glen is boggy and sprinkled with tarns and lochans for much of its way, so the path winds along the bottom of the eastern (Red Cuillin) slopes. 

At its southern end, the cliffs close in and you pass a small loch and then larger Loch na Creitheach, gloriously beautiful on a good day, dramatic at any time; not long after, you emerge onto the wide, pale sand beach of Camasunary, an extraordinarily lovely destination.

To its right (west) is Sgurr na Stri one of Skye’s finest summits.

See Michael Harrison’s account of walking here

With its 12.5km length, this is a proper walk. And then you face the question of how to get out. A full retracing of your route will make a very long day. You can also take the 4km from Camasunary beach across the ridge to the east to the Elgol road. And, indeed, you can cross the ridge before Sgurr na Stri to walk to wonderful Loch Coruisk in under the southern Black Cuillin (or climb Sgurr na Stri and drop to Loch Coruisk for the night).

Skye has notoriously fickle and often bad weather, and conditions on top can be appalling. It is easy to lose your way in cloud/mist,so not recommended if bad conditions likely. Always come fully prepared.

For more information and photos, including detailed practical information, see our Isle of Skye walk page.