Rathad Na Cloinne or Path of the Children is just outside Broadford in South Skye. A lovely upgraded path that hugs the coastline of Broadford Bay and skirts back through the woods. For the most part an accessible path but with a couple of tricky areas if you are in a wheelchair. It is a great path to see some of Skye without climbing a Cuillin or if you need to increase your fitness levels.
Where is Rathad Na Cloinne
You can start the walk from the Camas Sgianaidin car park on the A87 just north of Broadford. There is a height barrier on the car park so cars only. Alternatively park in Broadford and take the path behind the bus stop opposite the Post Office on Ford Road. It is a circular walk so it doesn’t really matter where you start. If you need the loo before you set off it is probably best to stop in Broadford first. After the turning for Elgol, set back on the right hand side of the road there are some public toilets. Full disabled toilet facilities are available here and also within the Co-op. There is a link to the route on a pdf here.
The Rathad Na Cloinne circuit is 5.5km or 3.5 miles, but you don’t have to walk the full circuit. We started from Camas Sgianaidin and took the narrow gravel path down from the car park onto the main track. The whole circuit is on a gravel surface, some places it is more compact that others. One third of the circuit is very wide, more like a forestry track. The next section is much narrower and could be difficult in a wheelchair and the last section is the old A87 surface. The path initially drops down to a bridge over a burn and then rises again above Broadford Bay. Once you’ve got this under your belt it is fairly level for a good distance.
The Walk
From Camas Sgianaidin the going is fairly good under foot. The gravel can be a bit loose and quite chunky in places. Off road scooters do well, regular wheelchairs and rollators would be a bit more challenging. There are wonderful views to the Isle of Scalpay and across Broadford Bay to Applecross and Kishorn. Eventually the Skye Bridge comes into view. Keep your eyes open for wildlife and birdlife as you walk here. Last year I was accompanied by two Golden Eagles as I walked along the path near Sgianaidin.
After about 2.5km or 1.5 miles the wide track narrows to a path and starts to twist and turn up hill. This section would prove much more difficult for folks with wheels but maybe not impossible, you would have to try for yourself and see how you get on. There are some lovely views across Broadford Bay to Ashaig and the hills beyond. You now enter the edge of the woodland and the sea is behind you for a while. The path gently descends behind Camping Skye. Still a path rather than wide track but the edges have been cut back to allow easier passage. You can hear the rumble of the A87 before you see it. Soon the path splits, left to Broadford and right to loop back to Sgianaidin.
This next 20-30 metres will be the hardest for anyone in a wheelchair or with a rollator. It is steep, narrow and a zigzag to get you up and over a rocky outcrop. It could be here that wheelchair users may have to turn back but even then the walk is not spoilt. From here there are stunning views to your left of Beinn Na Callaich.
The path slowly descends and finally joins the old A87 road surface. From here back to the car park you walk on the old tarmac surface. The path here isn’t as wide as the old road but wider than the previous section of gravel pathway. Follow the old road until it rises to join the new road at the cemetery. Be careful here as the traffic is moving fast. You join at the parking area for the cemetery so are off the road but vehicles might pull in whilst you are walking along. Follow the wall along and you will see the entrance to the car park at Camas Sgianaidin.
It it definitely a good walk for people with reasonable mobility who want a short walk to improve their fitness. Some sections are accessible for folks with wheels, some wheelchair users might make it all the way around. Take it at your own pace, see how you get on, you can always do a section as a linear walk and go back the way you came. It is a lovely walk in a beautiful location so give it a try.
Beautiful, thank you.
So glad you enjoyed our travels!