Elgol to Camasunary in the Cuillin

A very nice hike along the water and mountains in the Cuillin.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 438 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 433 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 189 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Reach Elgol and park near the harbour where there is a car park. From the car park walk road B8083.

(1) Take the left path following the sign that reads "Camas Fhionnairigh, Sligeachan / Camasunary 3.1m, Sligachan 10.7m”.

(2) Take the small path between two fences with the sign that reads "Ceum gu Coir Uisge / Footpath to Coruisk”.

(3) Walk along the path that follows the coast at an altitude of around 60 metres The water is on your left.
Head down to a rocky beach and then back up to an altitude of around 60 metres.
After about 2 km, arrive at Camasunary where some shelters are located.

(4) Take a well-marked path up on the right heading north-east, then off to the right towards the south.

(5) Reach an altitude of around 190 metres and then start to go downhill gently.

(6) Cross a small stream with a ford.

(7) Meet up with the B8083 road and take it to the right. Follow this road to Elgol where we return to the car park and starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 12 m - Elgol car park
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 89 m - Start of the trail
  3. 2 : km 2.18 - alt. 25 m - Cliffs
  4. 3 : km 3.34 - alt. 3 m - Galais beach
  5. 4 : km 5.82 - alt. 23 m - Go up a path on the right
  6. 5 : km 7.18 - alt. 185 m - Small collar
  7. 6 : km 8.35 - alt. 51 m - Creek crossing
  8. 7 : km 9.41 - alt. 40 m - Road B8083
  9. S/E : km 14.82 - alt. 11 m - Elgol car park

Practical information

The sea view is breathtaking during first part of the course. But beware, roughly between (2) and (3) it overlooks some impressive cliffs. Avoid if you are prone to vertigo.

In the nearby area

Bring water as there is nowhere to get any on the route.

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
3.3 / 5
Michel PRETRE
Michel PRETRE

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : No

The trail at the start, which is usually narrow and overgrown, was drowned for the most part after persistent rain. So it was muddy and slippery. And the return journey along the road really lacked interest. But the views of the Cuillin consoled us.
Be careful, at point 4 the path has been changed, so don't follow the track, follow the path.

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Alwayswiththehills
Alwayswiththehills

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This is a very good scenic walk to Camasunary Bay, the backdrop of the Cuillin is amazing. The path is obvious but is worth noting that the after it drops onto the rocky beach at point 3 the access at the far side is via a zig-zag up onto a path that runs very close to the edge of the cliff. You are often in trees at this point but if you have children with you, please take care. There is also one point on the section between 3 and 4 where the path ascends on the right using some stone steps (straight on will lead you over the edge of the cliff).

The walk back along the road from the parking at pt 7 spoils the walk a little, here are two alternatives.

A) walk along the road as described, as you pass houses at the the top of the hill above Elgol look out for a signposted path on the left, this will take you across a field to a wooden pylon and then down to cross a stream via bridge. The path leads to the minor road from Elgol to Glasnakillie, turn right and walk along the road and past the village shop back to Elgol.

B) This is longer but worth the interest. From the parking at pt 7 turn left and walk along the road for a short way to a junction on the right. Take the right hand minor road down past Kilmarie which is a fine house and once the home to Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull. The road leads down to the shoreline and the burial ground is worth exploring. Follow the road with Loch Slapin on your left to houses and pick up a track then path then track again along the clifftops to Glasnakillie. If you time this right you can arrive at Glasnkillie a hour before low tide and then descend to explore the Spa Cave (you will need a headtorch). Return to Elgol via the minor road from Glasnakillie. (Note the Spa Cave is only accessible 1 hour either side of low tide, unless you want to wade.)

Coviaux
Coviaux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A fine coastal path, a little steep but not particularly difficult, sometimes narrow in the dense vegetation. You don't progress as quickly as on a good, wide path, but you still have time to enjoy the panorama, with the sea and the Cuillins in the background. The passage over the small pass is magnificent, with beautiful views that go quite far in good weather. The return journey by road, on the other hand, is long and a little tedious, with a good 5 kilometres on a sometimes narrow single track and a little traffic.

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mjbb57
mjbb57

not yet completed: for this summer

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