The Greshornish Peninsula has some beautiful coastline; the circuit is a tougher walk than might be expected.
Summary
Good grassy paths in places; very soggy going and thick heather slopes in others.
Terrain
NG341541
Grid ref
6km/3.75 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Minor road near Greshornish House hotel.
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
None to walk start. Bus 56 (but NOT 56A) passes nearest: get off at the start of the
Greshornish minor road, 4km from walk start.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Take the Greshornish minor road off the A850. There is usually parking space at the back gate of the Greshornish House hotel, if full you can usually use the hotel car park. The hotel welcomes walkers for lunches booked in advance - phone 01470 582266. The walk starts near the hotel back gate; take the track on the left through the gate opposite - there is a sign marked Diubaig House. Walk along the track until it forks by a copse of trees; take the left fork through the gate. Don't continue on the track into the sheep pen, but instead follow the grassier track which keeps by the wall on the right and soon heads through another gate. Beyond the pleasantly grassy track climbs a little before descending towards the coastline ahead. Another track through a gate to the left leads to Diubaig Bay, a peaceful spot which would add about half an hour as a detour.
2. After passing the gate on the left, the track soon becomes a footpath, bends to the right and comes alongside the coast. The next section of the walk alternates between having a good path and being boggy. Continue northwards above the line of coastal cliffs. At times sheep tracks lead out onto the face of these cliffs; at such points head up through the heather to continue the walk along the cliff tops.
3. There are several sea caves far below the cliffs. After several climbs and descents, the route heads up almost to the summit of Maol na h-Airde to pass above the highest and most impressive cliffs. This is an excellent viewpoint with the whole Greshornish peninsula visible, with the Waternish over to the left and Trotternish to the right. Directly out to sea the mountains of Harris can be made out on a good day. Descend and continue along the now lower cliffs using sheep paths to reach Greshornish Point itself, where there is a grassy spot for a rest to admire the views of the islets of Eilean Beag and Eilean Mor.
4. The way now heads back along the eastern coastline, which is less dramatic but also requires less effort than the outward route. There is a fairly clear path most of the way, though it is often boggy. The path soon reaches Dun na h-Airde, an iron age fort situated atop a prominent white crag above the sea. Not much remains, though there are some sections of walling each side of the original entrance. Beyond Dun na h-Airde, the path keeps a little further inland. The going begins to improve a little once passed a fish farm out at sea. When the houses of Greshornish come into view, head up slightly to the right to meet a track leading to the end of the dry stone wall ahead. This track leads above the fish farm buildings to return to the start.
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