As I started to “walk down the aisle” to the bagpipes, the sun broke through the clouds and it felt as if we being watched over by someone, just amazing. Standing at the outflow of Loch Coruisk and looking out towards Eigg (I think Rum is off to the right an Soay just out of shot) The walk day My buddies on the trip to Skye had awoken in the drizzle and pretty much all headed up the Dubh Slabs, to then climb the Cuillin Ridge. En route there are a number of bad steps of which the Bad Step itself is probably impassable without some basic climbing skills. Loch Coruisk (in Scottish Gaelic, Coire Uisg, the "Cauldron of Waters") is an inland fresh-water loch, lying at the foot of the Black Cuillin in the Isle of Skye, in the Scottish Highlands. In addition shortly after leaving Loch Coruisk you have to contend with the "bad step" and an awkward section of path with some exposure. We used the excellent boat service provided by Anne and Gordon Smith aboard "Kaylee Jayne". The Loch is almost enveloped by the curling and foreboding mass of the main Cuillin ridge and Druim nan Ramh. You can either take a boat from Elgol or do a long walk in from Sligachan as I did. Volume 1 of two guidebooks.More information, An instructive guidebook explaining map and compass techniques, to help readers enhance their outdoor experiences. There’s a well trodden coastal walking route from Elgol to Loch Coruisk along the cliff top taking in Glen Scaladal, the beautiful bay at Camasunary, round the slopes of Sgurr na Stri and taking in the notorious Bad Step before reaching the head of the sea loch at Scavaig. Start - OS grid reference NG516135 Lat 57.144986 + Long -6.1079706 Postcode IV49 9BJ (approx. Length 6.6 mi Elevation gain 682 ft Route type Loop Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers. It’s a 11km one-way hike from Sligachan and 9km from Kilmarie. We booked the standard trip which includes 90 min on land, enough for short hikes and plenty of pictures :) (you could book a … is Loch Coruisk, on the Scottish island of Skye. General fitness needs to be good for both walks. The Path Less Traveled – A Walk Around Loch Coruisk Our group (minus eldest daughter who is taking the picture) ready to explore Loch Coruisk. Loch Coruisk, at the very heart of the Cuillin, is the most magnificent of all Scottish freshwater lochs. The journey to Elgol is a fine excursion with excellent views of mighty Blaven as you skirt the shores of Loch Slapin. The path raises and drops as you pass over this first section. I find it hard to describe just how incredible a day it … Some undoubtedly would prefer to be led up by a rope. Describes 69 challenging routes across 139 of the iconic 3000ft+ mountains covering areas such as Glencoe, Bridge of Orchy and Mull. Length - 2.0 miles / 3.3 km. The trip across Loch Scavaig passes quickly with your attention focused on the jagged skyline of the Black Cuillin. The full circuit around the loch is 7 km and takes 3.5 to 4 hours. They have different lengths of trips, but the 3-hour one is standard (this gives you about an hour and a half to walk around at the loch) Sailings run from Easter til around end of October, and all sailings are weather-permitting; Other “I’m on a boat” stories: Renting a Sailboat in Sweden; A Day on Scotland’s Magical Isle of Staffa From here a vertiginous cliff path with fantastic views across the water to the Cuillin reaches Elgol which has a shop, cafe, B&B and seafood restaurant. List of Skye guides http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/guides.shtml, Budget Silgachan campsite http://www.sligachan.co.uk/sligachan-campsite.php, Cordee Skye Scrambles guide book www.cordee.co.uk, © Copyright Double A Media 2021, All Rights Reserved, https://www.active-traveller.com/media/reviews/photos/thumbnail/650x433c/cf/10/d2/1934_loch-coruisk-isle-of-skye-1370857292.jpg. HIKING AROUND LOCH CORUISK ON SKYE A fantastic walk into the heart of the Cuillin mountains without any need to scale the heights. Can be reached by booking a boat trip with Misty Isle Boat trips from Elgol, highly recommended. below its mighty crags is picturesque Camasunary with two white-washed buildings helping to add scale to the rocky mass of Blaven. After moving slowly past the colonies of common seals basking on the rocks just off the coast, Anne and Gordon drop you off at an isolated jetty in Loch na Cuilce, which is close to the Loch Coruisk memorial Hut marked on Ordnance Survey maps. From the carpark cross the road to a gateway, there will be a Green Sign confirming the route. This is a truly wild, special place. Interesting hosts they have an on-board library and as you head across Loch Scavaig they provide an interesting perspective on life in this wild and scenic part of Skye. Hiking - There is a famous hike between Elgol and Sligachan. Walk: Coruisk via the Bad Step. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Start - OS grid reference NG516135Lat 57.144986 // Long -6.107971Postcode IV49 9BJ (approx. Take a Misty Isle boat trip from Elgol to the landing across the bay. Our map showed a path, but it was difficult to see on the ground. The following notes received from I H Cairns may help put the overall difficulties into perspective on the two options outlined above - "You should not underestimate walking to Coruisk via the Bad Step or from Coruisk to Sligachan. Copyright © 1997 - 2020 Walking Britain. After around 3 ½ miles' following the valley floor, head right towards Druim Hain before eventually climbing up to be rewarded by fantastic views of the loch. Ascent - 200 feet / 61 metres . Once at the loch you can either retrace your steps (7miles) or, in good weather, leave Coruisk via its south seaward shore. I’m sure I’m not alone in considering this walk from Elgol to Loch Coruisk as the most scenically spectacular coa… Strategy, gear, training, navigation and logistics are covered, and 10 classic scrambles are described. Once we had descended almost to the shores of Loch Coruisk itself, we picked our way around the edge towards the stepping stones and the Scavaig River. Loch Coruisk (in Scottish Gaelic, Coire Uisg, the "Cauldron of Waters") is an inland fresh-water loch, lying at the foot of the Black Cuillin in the Isle of Skye, in the Scottish Highlands.. Loch Coruisk is reputed to be the home of a kelpie or water horse, a shape-shifting creature that … We met Penelope and Martin at the jetty and sailed to Loch Coruisk. A first glimpse of Loch Coruisk, next to Loch a Choire Riabhaich. location only). You can take a train from Edinburgh to Loch Coruisk via Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh in around 7h 48m. The Loch Coruisk boat trip | Out Distance: 4 nautical miles / 7km You … Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices. Don’t tell anyone else or it might be spoiled! It’s then a short walk to the freshwater Loch Coruisk. Or walk up to the Old Man of Storr, or walk The Quirang, all good if … Coruisk to Sligachan again requires good boots and energy but this is simply a hard walk and no more. Grade - easy. Author - Lou Johnson. So you can walk from Loch Coruisk to Siglachan for 8 miles (3 to 5 hours). Regular updates on how Covid 19 will impact on walking in the UK More info. The path is rough and very boggy, with numerous river crossings. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies from this website. In places the path around Loch Coruisk is rather boggy but this discomfort is soon forgotten as you gaze around trying to absorb the detail of the scene. The route begins at a parking area just south of Kilmarie, on the Broadford to Elgol road (signpost for Camasunary and Sligachan), and leads over a hill pass to the bay of Camasunary, following a stony … As soon as you have turned the corner you are in a magnificent rocky amphitheatre. You'll love Skye, save a bit of energy after getting to Glenelg for a couple of walks on Skye - take the boat from Elgol to Loch Coruisk if you get good weather. Coruisk to Camasunary via the Bad Step is described in the Scottish Mountaineering Club's "Skye Scrambles" as a grade 1/2 Scramble. To make a round walk, you can follow the army track over Am Mam to Kilmarie and return to Elgol by road. They also do a flexible return trip, to give yourself 3 hours, 4.5 hours, or 6.5 hours onshore. Loch Maree Loch Maree Lunch stop. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Sadly all good things come to an end and disembarking you know that some day you will return perhaps to spend more time in magical Loch Coruisk. On the return boat journey you should sea birds, eagles, seals and perhaps even otters or whales. And even better at 27 degrees (although not so good in my thermal underwear). Take a picnic or just walk around this beautiful loch. location only) Go to Highland Walks Down on our right hand side in the distance you will see a small fresh water loch which has been dammed. Loch Coruisk is surely the most dramatic of all Scotand’s freshwater lochs, surrounded on all sides by the jagged dark peaks of the Cuillins. Once at the loch you can either retrace your steps (7miles) or, in good weather, leave Coruisk via its south seaward shore. After passing the southern flanks of Blaven you get you first glimpse of the Black Cuillin across the bay and this easy half day will take you into the bowels of the jagged Cuillins. It’s an easier alternative that is still incredibly dramatic. Follow Walking Britain for the latest news. If walking only one side of the loch, the south side has easier going and the best views. Good for you, well done and glad you enjoyed it! There are many great hiking routes to get there, but our favourite is a route through Glen Silgachan and then over the 'Bad Step' to exit. There … Other Options which are NOT easy - It is possible to use the boat to travel out to Loch Coruisk and then walk back to Elgol or across to Sligachan. Only accessible by boat or a long walk, but you can stay here and explore the area. Loch na Cuilce from summit of Sgurr na Stri: Loch na Cuilce and Loch Coruisk from the summit of Sgurr na Stri: We returned to the Coruisk Hut via the same route before spending our first night in the hut. Sadly Loch Coruisk is not as well loved as the view of Wasdale Head in the Lake District because it is really difficult to get to Loch Coruisk as I found out on this walk. Loch Coruisk is a beautiful place and so serene. Everywhere you look there are crags and mountains of spectacular proportions. The superbly sited but inaccessible Loch Coruisk is surrounded by the bleak grandeur of Black Cuillin peaks, with island-speckled sea at its back. The hike from Kilmarie to Coruisk via the Bad Step is one of the most spectacular and challenging of Skye's low-level walks (11 miles round-trip; allow at least six hours). The exposure is significant - 40 to 60 feet down to deep and cold water and there is no alternative route. Photograph: Alamy. Continue up the path. This site uses cookies and similar technologies. The metal farm gate has a wooden kissing gate on the left hand side. This is a challenging walk suited for experienced long distance walkers. Descriptions are hard to put into words - it is really somewhere that every lover of mountains must go to experience for themselves. NOTE! Sailing to Loch Coruisk is only the start of the adventure. Includes advice and useful links. The fifth stage of the Skye Trail follows remote Glen Sligachan to the beautiful bay at Camasunary where there is an MBA bothy. You can also book a “one way in” trip for walkers/climbers. Name: Loch Coruisk, Highland Place type: Inland Water Location: Grid Ref: NG 4842 2057 • X/Y co-ords: 148422, 820570 • Lat/Long: 57.20660019,-6.16750089 There are also tips for GPS and digital mapping technologies.More information. Loch Coruisk Everywhere you look there are crags and mountains of spectacular proportions. As expected this Isle of Skye tour is unique and it takes you away from the crowds. A fire beside the Sea and the Coruisk outflow/river. Whilst you are very likely to get wet feet from the boggy terrain, this is a small price to pay for the superlative mountain scenery along the way. But taking the Loch Coruisk boat from Elgol and completing the lap around the loch skips all that out. Includes routes up Ben More, Ben Alder, Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. This 2-volume set provides all the information required to complete the main ridge traverse on Skye's Black Cuillin. Further south the wind eased off enough for me to venture into the heart of the Cuillins of Skye at the foot of Loch Coruisk, surely one of the most spectacular locations in Scotland. Once over the step you will make your way inland to find a suitable crossing of Loch na Creitheach drainage stream (boots off) before hiking its eastern shore back towards Glen Silgachan and a well-earned malt from the hotels excellent collection. Falling creates further problems as it is a lonely place. After around 3 ½ miles' following the valley floor, head right towards Druim Hain before eventually climbing up to be rewarded by fantastic views of the loch. However be warned if you return to Elgol there are two river crossings which can be difficult in spate. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Edinburgh to Loch Coruisk via Inverness, Bus Station and Luib, Road End in around 7h 50m. Take the short walk over a rocky and sometimes wet path to Loch Coruisk, a freshwater loch surrounded by the Cuillin and not accessible by road. With well over an hour to explore follow the path up to the point where the waters of Loch Coruisk flow down to the sea. For those who don't fancy a long hike and just want a little perambulation, don't despair, as there is even a boat from Elgol to get you very close to this fantastic spot. As soon as you have turned the corner you are in a magnificent rocky amphitheatre. A rucksack with spare clothes and a decent food supply would be needed. Crossing from Coruisk this would bring you out by the SYHA in Glen Brittle and a long walk south of the Fairy pools. As long as you take the correct route it's not too tricky, when dry, for the sure footed. Start your hike from the old road bridge by the Sligachan hotel, whose Seumas bar has been the venue for the retelling of many a tail of daring and danger in these famous mountains - there's plenty of parking. This would be enough time to walk around the lake (which is meant to take about 3 hours), or even more major walking! The beauty and draw of Loch Coruisk has always been well known, and even dragged Turner away from his Suffolk landscapes; but viewing a painting or even a great photo can't do this place justice, and the only real way to breath in the true drama of Loch Coruisk is to hike in and see it with your own eyes. Loch Coruisk is a 6.6 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Isle Of Skye, Highland, Scotland that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. With well over an hour to explore follow the path up to the point where the waters of Loch Coruisk flow down to the sea. Distance 1½ miles Start Kylerhea Otter Haven car park, grid ref: NG786211 Further information and maps The Isle of Skye is a hot spot for otters and this easy walk … It includes a traverse over the ledge of rock called the ‘Bad Step’, which is ominous. The highest peak in the Cuillin is Sgurr Alasdair at 3,255 ft, it is also the Highest on the Isle of Skye. Returning to the jetty you head back to Elgol with the great bulk of Blaven dominating the scene to your left. Its dark reflective fresh waters make for a bracing wild swim spot; in fact the base of Loch Coruisk is actually 30 meters below sea level and it's icy cold, so take great care if you do dive in. The loch itself can be got to on foot. Key information: Loch Coruisk . In our humble opinion the most beautiful spot in Britain, if not possibly even the world (yes - honestly!) Walk grading - Learn how each walk is assessed and select a walk to suit your ability and experience by going to Walk Grading Details. This walk starts from the jetty at Elgol (grid ref NG516135), situated at the end of a minor road which starts at Broadford. A lightweight second guidebook gives the scrambler detailed maps, topos and route description for the ridge traverse itself.More information, Walking the Munros Vol 1 - Southern, Central and Western Highlands, Guidebook to walking the Munros in southern, central and western Highlands. Ruined villages walk: 16.5km, 350m ascent/ descent, 5 - 7 hours Loch Coruisk walk: 7 km, 122m ascent/ All rights reserved. The ridge is a very challenging traverse, and although its only Seven miles long it could take over 20 hours to complete, however in winter due to the shorter days it could take much longer. On a misty day good map awareness would be needed to get out of the immediate Coruisk area up and over the hill to Glen Sligachan. Those heading for Sligachan also have to contend with some potentially hard walking especially if is wet and boggy underfoot. It’s inaccessible unless you like for about 4 hours or take a boat trip. You can also hike along the coast from Elgol (3 to 5 hours), but a section called the Loch Coruisk Bad step or Elgol Bad Step is very treacherous (check the track for the whole walk) Loch Coruisk is reputed to be the home of a kelpie or water horse, a shape-shifting creature that can assume human form. What companies run services between Edinburgh, Scotland and Loch Coruisk, Scotland? If you are comfortable navigating on trackless terrain with map and compass you will relish this adventure. It is a hard trail requiring good boots, energy and general mountain skills. Several days involve considerable ascent and descent and many of the trails are rough underfoot. We ate breakfast in the warmth of the sun for the first time and as this was the last day I was committed to getting on the water. Loch Coruisk & Soay The sun was set to return today along with the wind, forecast northerly 3-4 gusting 7. Pass through the gate and on up the track. Inside the Coruisk Hut: Inside the Coruisk Hut: The next day, Bob, Cliff, Deirdre and I … I have crossed the other way from Glen Brittle to the river Coruisk via the Bealach Coire na Banachdich Grid NG 443217 very steep scree slopes both sides but no climbing kit needed. Please ask permission to use site content and images. Go - enjoy it’s beauty and how remote it is. Whether you are experienced in map-reading, or have never used a compass before, this guidebook will sharpen your skills and have you exploring new areas in no time. Once there, about two hours after leaving Elgol, you can find a good spot for a picnic and watch the braver souls heading for Coruisk via the Bad Step. Living on the isolated island of Soay, "Kaylee Jayne" is their sole means of transport to and from their home. The path is gravel with regular puddles. There are 11 ways to get from Paris to Loch Coruisk by train, bus, night bus, car, car train, car ferry or plane. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips. Digital Mapping Guide - a simple guide of how to start using digital mapping.