Red Point to Craig
GAIRLOCH AND POOLEWE
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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. If you wish to include beach (no extra effort), 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 sandy beach has great views across to Trotternish on Skye and to the Applecross peninsula. Turn left along the beach to reach the old ruined salmon fishing station. Pass in front of the station, and ford the stream beyond. This is usually possible with dry feet, but could be difficult or dangerous in high spate. Once across the stream there is a stile in the fence.
3. The path now runs along the moor about a hundred metres back from the sea. The surface is mostly good at first though there are one or two boggy sections. It contours inland around the stream valley that cuts across the path. There are great views ahead to the Torridon mountains throughout the walk; Craig is situated in the wooded valley that can be seen further down the coast.
4. There are several small streams to cross. At the last of these, about a kilometre short of the Craig river, a short diversion uphill of about 500 metres each way is worthwhile. If you have reached the right stream, there should be an escarpment of crags uphill on the far side of the stream. Head up the east bank of the stream to reach the moorland below the crags, dotted with fallen rocks. Continue a little further uphill to reach one particularly massive block of stone with heather growing on the top. This is a neolithic rock-shelter, providing a home for man for thousands of years. The grassy mound in front of it (complete with nettles) is a shell midden, built up from all the discarded sea-shells eaten by the shelter's residents. Return back down to the path.
5. Continue east, soon arriving on the slope above the Craig River. The path turns left here, following the impassable river upstream for some distance; the going becomes somewhat overgrown and bouldery, but at length a bridge is reached. Cross the bridge to reach Craig.
6. Craig was for many years one of Britain's most remote Youth Hostels. It closed a few years back and has now been adopted as a bothy, maintained by volunteers of the MBA. Please help care for it by carrying out all your rubbish and helping to keep it clean. Unless continuing through to Diabaig – on an excellent path but a very long way by road from your starting point - return the way you came.
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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
