A fairly short ascent of this pointed mountain is rewarded with great views out over the Sutherland coastline and inland to the mountains of Assynt and the rocky ridges of Foinaven and Arkle.
Summary
Very boggy, faint path in places but mostly pathless on grass and heather.
Terrain
NC296402
Grid ref
7.5km/4.5 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.
Parking where track leaves A838 1.5km north of Achfary; there is space before the private
road sign
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
Nearest bus stop is Achfary (bus 805/806 from Durness and Lairg)
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Ben Stack lies on the A838 between Lairg and Laxford Bridge. There is a small parking area on the right hand side coming from Lairg, 1.5km north of the pretty settlement of Achfary. The parking area is just before the Private Road sign for the track leading to Lone. The stunning scree-girt mountain seen to the north here is Arkle; from this angle Ben Stack looks unimpressive, however from the north and west it dominates the landscape and is well worth the boggy climb because it is an excellent viewpoint. It is possible to make a circular walk by continuing north-west from the summit to eventually reach a stalkers path to reach the road near Lochstack Lodge and then return the 9km along the road, however the top part of the descent is very steep. This route describes the same route up and down.
2. From the parking area walk along the road towards Achfary (south) for a very short distance to pick up a rough track heading to the right. This saves crossing the boggy ground immediately opposite the parking area. After a short distance the track becomes just ATV tracks over the wet ground, it is possible to follow these for approximately a third of the ascent, they keep to the left of a rocky spine clearly visible at this point. It is also possible to climb onto the spine and follow that, although the going is slightly tougher and not much drier underfoot.
3. Looking back there are good views over Loch More and as height is gained Loch Stack comes into view. Keep heading north-west until the ground levels off and the final summit cone is visible ahead. It is necessary to dip a little in a northwards direction to avoid a rocky knoll before starting the steep climb to the top.
4. The final climb is straightforward. The ground near the top is split into two ridges. The southern one to the left has the trig point but is actually slightly lower than the true summit which at 721 metres is just beyond a mast with solar panel on the northern ridge. From here there are excellent views in all directions.
5. The descent is straightforward with the first section enjoying fabulous views over the grey quartz summits of Foinaven and Arkle in front. Once down from the summit cone, the rocky ridge ascended on the way up makes a useful navigational aid as it leads all the way back to the start.
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