Camasunary Bay
Camasunary Bay
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
2 within 3 miles
Attractions
8 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
38 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Scotlandmac
Glasgow, UK14,337 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
The short walk (about an hour) to Camasunary is rated one of Skye's Top 10.I hadn't done it for a few years and had almost forgotten how magnificent the vistas are in half decent weather.As we reached the highest point of the easy track, the cloud began to lift and my jaw literally dropped at the sheer grandeur of the scene before us.The Black Cuillin rearing out of the wild ocean,the emerald sward of the bay itself and little Sgurr na Stri looking like something out of a Jurassic Park landscape.Even if you only make it to this superb high point (on a good, if at times wet and stoney, track) , what a place for a picnic.
If you drop down to the bay itself, the greyish beach is nothing special - there are far better ones on Skye - but it's the whole situation and the vistas.We were wild camping for my birthday and setting up,with the sun making an appearance,it felt like the best place in the world to be. Beautiful, lonely and wild.Just the sound of the surf , the sad crying of curlew and piping oystercatchers.
There is also a bothy for use by anyone, three or so rooms with a line for drying clothes and making a fire.Not really my cup of tea and a bit grubby.I prefer the tent but it's an option. Fresh water for cooking is available from the little river that runs to the beach at the far end. Hinds were grazing along its bank early the next morning.
The walk up Sgurr na Stri isn't difficult if you have walking experience and gives possibly one of the best views of the Cuillin range.But you'll need an OS map and be decently clad.We watched a sea eagle take off from its summit on our last visit.
There is also a nice loop from the bay heading north along one of many small tracks into lonely Loch na Creitheach. Wild country yet so accessible.
The walk to this wild part of Skye starts from the car park beyond Kilmarie/Kirkibost on the Elgol road. Nothing special about it at first until you climb slowly up to the high point when all is revealed.Save it for decent weather though.
If you drop down to the bay itself, the greyish beach is nothing special - there are far better ones on Skye - but it's the whole situation and the vistas.We were wild camping for my birthday and setting up,with the sun making an appearance,it felt like the best place in the world to be. Beautiful, lonely and wild.Just the sound of the surf , the sad crying of curlew and piping oystercatchers.
There is also a bothy for use by anyone, three or so rooms with a line for drying clothes and making a fire.Not really my cup of tea and a bit grubby.I prefer the tent but it's an option. Fresh water for cooking is available from the little river that runs to the beach at the far end. Hinds were grazing along its bank early the next morning.
The walk up Sgurr na Stri isn't difficult if you have walking experience and gives possibly one of the best views of the Cuillin range.But you'll need an OS map and be decently clad.We watched a sea eagle take off from its summit on our last visit.
There is also a nice loop from the bay heading north along one of many small tracks into lonely Loch na Creitheach. Wild country yet so accessible.
The walk to this wild part of Skye starts from the car park beyond Kilmarie/Kirkibost on the Elgol road. Nothing special about it at first until you climb slowly up to the high point when all is revealed.Save it for decent weather though.
Written May 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne D
Split, Croatia10 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Just a few mounth ago I had a amazing walk to this beuatiful buy! I saw two houses, one for backpackers, kinda trash and one that looked like a normal house, but it looked empty aswell? I was wondering if it was for sale?! I would love to know from who it is?!
I hope somebody can help me out, thank you in advance!
Greetings!
I hope somebody can help me out, thank you in advance!
Greetings!
Written May 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tyke1961
North Wales331 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
Camasunary had an atmosphere I can't describe. I knew I was somewhere apart from the ordinary as I stood on the shore though, and it's a feeling I'll keep forever. Skye is imbued with such sentiments, but Camasunary has a particularly intense version of the phenomenon.
Written May 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
runtrails
Polson, MT128 contributions
Oct 2019
If you hike out to the Camasunary Bay, be prepared for the Bad Step. It truly is exceptionally difficult for anybody who has not done a little rock climbing using cracks. Make sure you read the detailed instructions because it is almost impossible if you don't follow them. The round trip hike, even before the Step is probably 5-6 hours, but it is worthwhile even if you don't do the Step (the last quarter mile). It is maybe the wildest, unused part of Scotland. Be prepared for a lot of wet trails. At one point you cross a small river where even at low tide it is tough to keep your feet dry. No matter what else I have said, getting to the end is such a reward, and such a sense of accomplishment, it is well worth the time.
Written October 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sonia M
Beijing, China264 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We were recommended to walk from Elgol to Camasunary Bay and got tips of where exactly the hike started from a local. Even though warned by the local, we were surprised by how narrow the trail got with serious steep cliffs on one side and it was slick with mud. Not for the faint of heart, but an absolutely lovely hike with great views of the Cuillins.
Written August 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce L
Calgary, Canada56 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Not too much vertical (although more than advertised) decent trail, pay off of spectacular views of the Black Cuillens and big beach at Camasunary Bay
Written June 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anthbike
Edinburgh, UK513 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
The Elgol to Coruisk walks is one of the best in the country, and to my mind best done in exactly that direction, with an ever-changing view of the Cuillin in sight most of the time. Camasunary is but one point of note along the route, and on any other walk, in any other bit f the country, it would be a stand out. But (and this is just my personal view as it obviously differs from other reviewers here, and I'll try to explain my reasoning so you can see if you would be of the same or different view) here goes as to why I'm not really over-awed with it:
1. If you're walking from Elgol the clifftop route is dramatic, and beautiful, all the way. Camasunary Bay, a wide and flat crescent feels like a lull in comparison. If you've walked the track from Kilmarie then the view may be different of course...
2. Once you're well into the Bay there's not much of a view of the Cuillin, just the edge.
3. The detritus that washes up (see one of the pictures, where people have obviously been clearing up) is something the Bay can't be held responsible for, but does distract somewhat from the natural wonder of the hills behind it.
4. As it is a connecting point between the walk from Elgol, and from Kilmarie, together with having one operating Bothy, and two other buildings to park a tent behind for shelter (one the old, now condemned, bothy, the other a building for the Scottish Mountaineering Club - I think) it tends to be the busiest part of the route. Okay, so it's not absolutely crawling with people, but as folk use it as a destination in itself I like to pass through, whichever direction I'm going, and stop at another spot where the mountains and thoughts can be your own.
Now all of that said there's some interesting wildlife, with Cuckoos calling above at the right time of year, and Ringed Plover plying the sands. I nabbed some Sandpiper shots by the river crossing as well.
Overall I'd say it's a nice Bay to peruse, and a nice enough location en route to or from Coruisk, but I personally wouldn't be going out of my way to make it a destination in its own right.
1. If you're walking from Elgol the clifftop route is dramatic, and beautiful, all the way. Camasunary Bay, a wide and flat crescent feels like a lull in comparison. If you've walked the track from Kilmarie then the view may be different of course...
2. Once you're well into the Bay there's not much of a view of the Cuillin, just the edge.
3. The detritus that washes up (see one of the pictures, where people have obviously been clearing up) is something the Bay can't be held responsible for, but does distract somewhat from the natural wonder of the hills behind it.
4. As it is a connecting point between the walk from Elgol, and from Kilmarie, together with having one operating Bothy, and two other buildings to park a tent behind for shelter (one the old, now condemned, bothy, the other a building for the Scottish Mountaineering Club - I think) it tends to be the busiest part of the route. Okay, so it's not absolutely crawling with people, but as folk use it as a destination in itself I like to pass through, whichever direction I'm going, and stop at another spot where the mountains and thoughts can be your own.
Now all of that said there's some interesting wildlife, with Cuckoos calling above at the right time of year, and Ringed Plover plying the sands. I nabbed some Sandpiper shots by the river crossing as well.
Overall I'd say it's a nice Bay to peruse, and a nice enough location en route to or from Coruisk, but I personally wouldn't be going out of my way to make it a destination in its own right.
Written June 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Job
7 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Beautiful bag and bothy but would nit recommend taking the egol clifftop path - there are sheer drops, the path is meters from the cliff edge and is poorly maintained and muddy in parts - dangerous
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MATamimi
Sevenoaks, UK9 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
Needed to clear my mind and heart.
23rd Dec. 2019
All alone, but my God, I wish this is what heaven looks like.
Mind-Peace and Tranquility is all that this place offers.
23rd Dec. 2019
All alone, but my God, I wish this is what heaven looks like.
Mind-Peace and Tranquility is all that this place offers.
Written December 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alancass2018
Birmingham, UK53 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
The drive down to Elgol is great. This is a decent walk and not difficult. It takes about 2 to 3 hours and I did not meet anyone along the way. The path is mainly by the cliff ledge and gives great views of the coast and mountains. The bay is beautiful and relaxing.
Written July 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing