Tour # 19
Kyle Of Lochalsh - Uig via Dunvegan (Isle Of Skye)
This is # 1 of the complete Isle Of Skye tour. See Uig -Kyle of Lochalsh for # 2.
140 km.
Approx. total hill climb: 600 meters.
Highest point: 200 meters (Loch Ainort - Sconser)
Traffic: Moderate to Busy.
Severity Rating: *****
Fun rating: ******

How to get to Kyle Of Lochalsh: Train from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and London.
Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale (20 km. longer).

Isle Of Skye has rightfully claimed a place as a paradise for lovers of mountains. It also have a reputation for being a paradise for cyclists too. Although it is more infamous than famous among cyclists. The weather and the midges is among the factors that make Isle Of Skye infamous. The roads are also very, very hilly. The lack of shops and the remoteness of the island also make this a difficult cycle trip. Isle Of Skye is indeed a very serious cycle tour. But the landscape make this cycle trip an essential cycle trip. If there exists a prettier place in Europe; I would be most surprised. The views along the road is stunning and out of this world. I highly recommend this cycle trip. Although only 140 km., this is a very serious cycle tour.
There is youth hostels in Broadford, Uig and Portree. I stayed in the youth hostels in Uig and Broadford. I recommend both of them.

The road from Kyle Of Lochalsh passes the bridge over to Isle Of Skye after five hundred meters. The view from the top of this bridge is very impressive. The fifteen kilometers long road to Broadford (shops and youth hostel) is mostly flat. The road goes through a small forest and drops down to a small fjord along the island of Scalpay. The road round a corner and goes in Loch Ainort to the beginning of a very steep hill, which is approx 200 meters high. This hill can be avoided by taking the small road around Mor. This alternative is moderate hilly. I recommend this alternative on the return back again. Coming down to Sconser (ferry over to Raasay), the road goes around a corner into the Loch Sligachan to Sligachan Hotel (meals and drinks). Take A 863 towards Dunvegan. The beginning of the road starts with a small climb and a stunning view towards the Cuillin hills. The road goes drops down to Glen Drynoch. At the end of this flat valley (road to the left for two kilometers to Talisker Distillery) and at the beginning of Loch Harport, the road rises sharply again up to and over some moorlands to Struan. The cycling is very heavy over this moor, with some views towards the sea below. Just after reaching the sea again at Struan, there is a shop at Bracadale. The cycling from Bracadale to Dunvegan (shop, hotel, pubs, castle) is hilly and heavy. The road rises from Dunvegan and over Fairy Bridge over a mountain down to Blackhill. The road from Blackhill over to Tote (the crossroad between Uig and Portree) is very hilly and heavy. After a small river, take B 8036 towards A 87 and Uig. The cycling along A 97 over the moors out to Uig is hilly and heavy. Especially in bad weather (which I had). The road drops down to Uig (shops, hotel and youth hostel). Ferry to the Western Isles or stay on the youth hostel or on the hotel.