The Two Lochs Walk

The Two Lochs Walk starts close to Broadford in the south of Skye and is yet to feature on any Ordnance Survey maps. That said it is easy to find, easily accessible and a well made track that many different abilities will find they can use.

Where is The Two Lochs Walk?

First you need to find yourself in Broadford at the south end of Skye, or more accurately Harrapool. Next is locating the Heaste junction on the A87. If you are heading towards Portree the turning is on your left, and on the right if heading towards the Skye Bridge. If you see the Claymore Restaurant or the Old School Veterinary Practice the road is opposite both of these. Take the turning signed for Heaste. This now a single track road with passing places so drive carefully. After 0.8 miles/1.2km you will see a small lay-by next to a metal gate on the right hand side. There is a Scottish Water sign on the gate, this is the start of The Two Lochs Walk. Access is needed at all times at the gate so park considerately.

Starting the walk

On the right of the large metal gate is a smaller gate for pedestrian access. This gate swings fully open in both directions to give good access. We took Sarah’s rollator through without any problems. It is also wide enough to fit wheelchairs, scooters, prams and the like through. As this track is not yet on any maps it is hard to know where you are heading. If you look on Google maps and select the Satellite layer you can see the track on there. This is how we came to call it the Two Lochs Walk. The track starts as one track and then splits at a junction. One track leads to Loch Lonachan and the other to Loch Buidhe. However far you walk you simply retrace your steps to return back to the car.

The track to the Lochs

The track itself is well made and put together. It’s construction allows it to withstand the Skye rain and wind. The first section is very dry underfoot. Due to this construction the surface is quite loose and gravelly. Sarah was fighting with small stones getting wedged under her wheels on many an occasion. This does get quite tiring for her. If you had something with wider or larger diameter wheels this might not be such an issue. The wheels on Sarah’s rollator are a small fixed wheel so become easily snagged. We have a video here of how we got on in spite of everything!

The path also heads up a steady gradient from the car. This was not too much of an issue for Sarah but it would be hard work pushing a wheelchair uphill on a loose surface. A good off road scooter would probably sail up without many issues at all. The track is wide enough for a small vehicle or ATV which is how we presume Scottish Water check the Lochs. There was no sign of any recent vehicular activity at all. The most movement were the sheep and the squally showers.

We have unfinished business here!

There are a couple of grassy patches on the track which allowed Sarah’s wheels to glide over with a bit more ease but it was soon back to a gravel surface. After about a third of a mile/0.5km the track surface became stony rather than gravelly. At this point Melanie was helping Sarah glide the rollator over the stones by lifting the front slightly. With a squally shower heading our way and the path heading away into the distance rising up a hill we called it a day. It is by no means an impossible track for us to explore. In fact Sarah wants to return in better weather and have a try with two walking sticks rather than the rollator. She feels this may be an easier way to tackle it.

The Views

As this track rises above Broadford there are amazing views across Broadford Bay. Even on a dreich grey day we were blown away by the views. It would be a great spot to stop and have a picnic on a warm day! As it was a chilly damp day we first had our lunch in Cafe Sia and then a coffee and cake in Deli Gasta afterwards!

A cheeky waterfall

Just a short way up the road from the lay by is a lovely little waterfall. It is well worth the short walk up the road to see it. There is a small bridge over the road under which the burn flows and on the right hand side a series of small waterfalls. Just a little extra find on our adventures!