Loch Coruisk

The beautiful and superbly sited but inaccessible Loch Coruisk is surrounded by the bleak grandeur of Black Cuillin peaks and has the island-speckled sea at its back. This is a truly wild, special place.

Many people get here by boat from Elgol – book ahead (Walkopedia simply couldn’t get a place in Covid year).  You can also get to it (or walk back out) by a long walk down Glen Sligachan, followed by a climb across the ridge of Sgurr Hain (approximately 12km one way). Glen Sligachan is a superb walk in its own right, as it marches directly below the vast drama of the Black and Red Cuillin. But it is in places boggy work (much harder after rainy conditions than when dry).

You can also walk in from the Elgol road to the beautiful Camasunary beach (4km), and then on round the base of Sgurr na Stri, on rough paths and having to negotiate the genuinely dangerous and intimidating Bad Step.

The walk around the lake is around 6km, and is a must. Once there, you can stay in a good bothy (the Memorial Hut), which you need to book ahead, or you can camp.

If based here, you can climb Sgurr na Stri, or explore the first stage of the famous Black Cuillin Ridge walk. A perfect time here (top of Walko’s list when we get back to Skye) would be:

Day 1: boat in, walk round the loch, explore the beginning of the Black Cuillin Ridge walk, stay the night.

Day 2: climb Sgurr na Stri and walk out up Glen Sligachan. You would have to deal with transport issues as you will be starting and finishing in very different places.

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.