Tour # 20
Uig -Kyle of Lochalsh via Trotternish (Isle Of Skye)
This is # 2 of the complete Isle Of Skye tour. See Kyle of Lochalsh - Uig for # 1.
115 km.
Approx. total hill climb: 500 meters.
Highest point: 200 meters (Sconser - Loch Ainort)
Traffic: Moderate to Busy.
Severity Rating: *****
Fun rating: ******

How to get to Uig: Ferry from the Western Isles.

This is # 2 of the complete Isle Of Skye tour. 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 around the Trotternish peninsula is stunning and out of this world. I highly recommend this cycle trip. Although only 115 km., this is a 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 climb out of Uig along A 855 is vertical to the top of the 110 meters above sea level high mountain. The cycle trip then goes along a single track road around the north coast of the fantastic Trotternish peninsula. The views are stunning. If you are early enough, you will also meet the ferry from Tarbert. The road are reasonable flat until it climb around a corner and drops vertical down to the sea at Duntulm. From the sea, the road are very hilly down the east coast to Staffin (shops, pubs). The road from Staffin to Portree is extreme hilly and reaches 180 meters above sea level just before Portree. The views towards the pinnacle called Old Man Of Storr is very impressive. Portree is a charming village/town with all the services and shops you need. The road from Portree first follows the sea before it start to climb again up Glen Varragil before it drops down to Sligachan Hotel (meals and drinks). Take the road out Loch Sligachan to Sconser (ferry to Raasay). If you have taken the steep hill from Loch Ainort to Sconser on your way from Kyle Of Lochalsh to Sligachan, I now recommend you to take the scenic and moderate road around Mor to Loch Ainort just to get some variation. The road along Loch Ainort climb around a small corner and follows a fjord to Broadford (shops and youth hostel). The road from Broadford to Kyle Of Lochalsh is very scenic and rather flat. The Isle Of Skye bridge marks the end of this trip.