Red Point Beaches

GAIRLOCH AND POOLEWE


Summary :	There are two spectacular sandy beaches at Red Point; this walk combines both to make a short but rough circuit with great views out to the islands on a fine day.
Terrain :	The walk between the beaches is pathless and very boggy in parts.
Grade :		Distance :	5km/3 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1.5 – 2.5 hours
Start :	Car park at the end of the public road to Red Point	Grid ref :	NG732688
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 433 - Torridon online	Ascent :	85m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more Open all walks in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	No public transport.[Click for timetables - choose Area 5]

1. Park at the car park at the very end of the Red Point public road (before the road becomes private to Red Point farm). Walk through the farm gate and continue along the track to the farm. Pass through the farm and go through the gate at the far end. Follow the next section of green track to a second gate. To reach Red Point south beach, bear right once through the gate, across the fertile machair (shell-based grassland, rich in flowers where not grazed) to reach the beach.

2. The wide beach here has great views across to the Applecross peninsula and to Trotternish in Skye. The little island of Eilean Tioram can be reached across the sands unless the tide is right in. At the east end of the beach is the ruins of an old salmon fishing station. To continue the walk, go to the west end of the beach and pick up the muddy path that ascends onto the flat ground beyond.

3. Follow the faint traces of a path round the coast, keeping just above where the land slopes down towards the sea. The going is very boggy in places, particularly when crossing numerous swampy ditches, but it does improve as you go further. As you round the ill-defined point itself, there are grand views right out to Harris and Lewis if the weather is kind. Continue round the coast for a couple of kilometres; as the coast bends back east there is a fence with a stile to cross.

4. The coast now bends back to Red Point North Beach, which is backed by a gigantic sand dune. Descend to the beach and cross the stream that flows out across it (easiest towards the top of the beach). Head out into the centre of the sands, which are busier but possibly even finer than those at the south beach. From the centre of the beach there is a gap in the dunes; head up a sandy path which leads straight back to a gate and the car park.

Have you done this walk?

If so, why not comment on it in our Forum. If you start a new topic in the walking discussion with the name of this walk as the topic, we will link the discussion to the walk so that others can read your comments here.

Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?

Please let us know by using the error report form.

Route profile

Accommodation links for this area:
Hotels in Gairloch and Poolewe
Gairloch and Poolewe Bed and Breakfasts
Self catering cottages in Gairloch and Poolewe
Torridon & Gairloch hostels
Campsites in Torridon and Gairloch region