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How to Hike The Skye Trail | Europe's Best Ridge Thru-Hike?

Jack Brookes

48,958 views

In July of 2021, I hiked the Skye Trail, a 128km/80-mile hike on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. In this video, I'll go into detail about how I tackled the trail, my favourite sections, and gear recommendations.

My written guide:
https://jackbrookes.co/2025/05/04/the...

My Skye Trail Hiking Film: 6 Days in Scotland's Wilderness | Thru-Hik...

My Gear Video 🥾 My Thru Hiking Gear 2.0
My Gear List 🏕️ https://jackbrookes.co/

My Current Gear List:

Big 4 🎒
Tent (Big Agnes Copper Spur UL) - https://geni.us/THCBWdL
Sleeping Pad (Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite) - https://geni.us/PZEJaaC
Quilt (Therm-a-Rest Vesper) - https://geni.us/GBqnmo
Rucksack (Atom Packs) and backup Rucksack (Osprey Aether 65L) - https://geni.us/o3hEC

Shoes 🥾
Trail Runners (Brooks Cascadia 18) - https://geni.us/eTfjG
Socks (Darn Tough Merino Wool) - https://geni.us/XGBSklN

Sleeping 🏕️
Pillow (Sea-to-Summit Premium Aeros Pillow) - https://geni.us/RScdwQ
Silk Liner (Sea to Summit Liner) - https://geni.us/Xdsje8L

Electronics 🔋
SOS Beacon (Garmin InReach Mini) - https://geni.us/l51MNXA
Head Torch (Black Diamond Sprint) - https://geni.us/UbtBBGK

Food & Hydration 🧑‍🍳
Stove (Jetboil MicroMo) - https://geni.us/3cAmalZ
Water Filter (Katadyn BeFree 1 Litre) - https://geni.us/AnnKZ
Coffee Filter (GSI Camping Filter) - https://geni.us/etSpUkJ

Clothing 👕
Sun Hoody - https://geni.us/mOGDMk
Merino T Shirt - https://geni.us/vUmIE
Rain Jacket (Kathmandu) - https://geni.us/6ai4ho4
Thermals Upper (Icebreaker) - https://geni.us/qCfdCP
Thermals Lower (Icebreaker) - https://geni.us/dD3fl
Puffer (Patagonia) - https://geni.us/8tVmjM
Sweater (Patagonia) - https://geni.us/YoIE

Camera Equipment 📸
Camera (Sony A7III) - https://geni.us/MUFVPVo
Lens (Sony 35mm GM f/1.6) - https://geni.us/rnYSLU
Mic (Rode NTG Shotgun Mic) - https://geni.us/ZWZBP
Drone (DJI Mini 4) - https://geni.us/B6GALm
Camera Batteries (Sony NPFZ100) - https://geni.us/cdKlc1W
Camera Battery Charger - https://geni.us/AmAIeyL
Tripod (SIRUI AM2-Series AM-254) - https://geni.us/jewD
Tripod Head (Joby BallHead 3K) - https://geni.us/ViMgmt

Support My Channel 🫶 Patreon: JackBrookes

00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Getting to the trailhead
01:50 - The trail
19:29 - Gear Used
23:29 - Summary

20 Comments

@Freshman1966 3 years ago

That was fantastic! Exactly what I needed to prepare for the trail. Thank you so much for the amount of work you put in this production. ❤

@smoothtrtl6786 2 years ago

Just completed the trail, one of the best I've hiked. Your walkthrough was really helpful when planning the hike, especially choosing sleeping spots and gathering equipment. Also your voice is really calming, keep making these guides, they are great!

@iriskartasasmita8795 4 years ago

Thank you so much for the guide, but most of all for the soothing voiceover ❤️ Hiking is something I'm very passionate about, and I was experiencing some pretty bad insomnia and anxiety today so I looked up hiking-related videos to help calm me down. Needless to say, your video was absolutely perfect for it. I just found your channel and I'm excited to see more content from you :)

@DontTestTheX 2 years ago

You were very fortunate to have that inversion along the Trotternish Ridge - what a treat! Anyone thinking to do the Skye trail should try to take the route from Sligachan to Loch Coruisk, and if possible summit Sgurr Na Stri. You can then camp at Camasunary bay. Don't be afraid of the Bad Step - it is still possible to bypass this.

@easydexter 2 years ago (edited)

Loved this video Jack. Heading to hike the Skye Trail this May and your videos have got us pumped! Great to see you rocking a Mo too! Also, this music is so flipping relaxing. Cheers!

@LadyTroubadourHikes 3 years ago

I am back here and watching this again. :-) And again I want to thank you so much for this wonderful guide! I got the tickets for my little family of four to fly there the end of June 2023, it’s all coming together nicely. I’m so grateful as I watch this again to see just how much information you put into this! And it really is stunning. Can’t wait to have some beautiful photographs and footage of my own from this bucket list backpacking destination!

@jamesarnold3855 2 years ago

Just want to say thanks jack! Going to doing this trail myself next may after being inspired by your videos. They’re amazing. Hoping you upload some more trips soon!

@TheBleistift123 4 years ago

Wow man, great stuff and you're for sure massively underrated, just as this Trail! keep it up, subbed!

@togians 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing. Very useful information..

@beawolpert 7 months ago

This is amazing! I've been quite torn on whether I owuld enjoy the Skye Trail or not since I usually like more remote and mountainous trails (less so coast trails), so this gave me such a good impression of what to expect! Exactly what I was lookign for! Thanks!

@kimberlym4289 3 years ago

This was so thorough! Thank you.

@rubensack5903 2 years ago

i have seen a lot of videos about this trail. people that are walking it or telling about it but they never say how to go there or what accomondation you need. im happy you do

@LifeAdventureFam 4 years ago

Thanks Jack for this guide, were planning to do this hike next year, so pumped now.

@richardkegel1510 2 years ago

Thank you so much for this video Jack! It was incredibly detailed and insightful. I will watch it again once I start hiking this trail in July.

@matthcall 1 year ago

Great review ! I ll do it in May 2026 !🎉

@mindaugasm3660 2 years ago

Completed this last week. Wonderful experience. Your tips on the route and gear (esp the quilt and mat) were really useful. Thanks!

@BenOutside 4 years ago

Really enjoying these videos dude, subscribed! 🤘🏻

@williamryelandt 2 years ago

Great video!! Glad I can use this in planning for my upcoming crossing this summer! Cheers from Belgium

@AndrePostTenor 3 years ago

Thanks a lot! Very informative and inspiring Video !

@noncsi121 4 years ago

Thank you so much for the informative and insightful video. We are going to the highlands in august and I was looking for some amazing places to hike, you gave me many amazing ideas.