Falls of Kirkaig, Inverkirkaig
ASSYNT AND COIGACH
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1. Start from the car park near the bridge over the River Kirkaig. The walk begins from the other side of the road, taking the lower of the two tarmac tracks (the higher one leads to a bookshop and cafe). There is a memorial to the poet Norman MacCaig – who loved and wrote about Assynt a great deal – on the left. Walk along this tarmac lane for two hundred and fifty metres before forking right onto a path just before the lane reaches a gate. The path soon heads through an iron gate and leads on through fine birchwoods.
2. Soon the path descends slightly to come close to the wide river, passing through a kissing gate. This part of the glen is delightful with steeply wooded sides. The path soon begins to climb gently as the glen narrows and the sides close in. The birchwoods are left below as the path emerges onto heather moorland and continues high above the glen.
3. As height is gained mountains begin to appear in the view. The first to be seen is Cul Mor, soon joined by Cul Beag and the spiky ridge of Stac Pollaidh. Further on the bizarre ridge of Suilven becomes visible above the heather, with the great sugarloaf dome of Caisteal Liath its highest summit on the left. About three kilometres from the start the path forks; a sign indicates that the right hand branch leads to Inverkirkaig Falls.
4. Follow the path to the falls; it descends gently towards the ravine at first before reaching a steep drop and beginning a very steep and rocky descent to view the falls. Great care is needed as a slip in places here could be fatal. About three quarters of the way down is the best viewpoint for the waterfall, which is about twenty metres high and usually carries a good deal of water – an impressive sight. Climb back up the rocky path to return to the junction mentioned earlier.
5. The return is by the same route. If you wish to extend the walk you can first turn right at the junction and follow the path (which becomes boggy) for about a kilometre to reach Fionn Loch which has a fantastic view of Suilven. It is in fact possible to climb Suilven this way (it is described as the descent route on our Suilven route) but that is a very long walk requiring mountain experience. Instead retrace your steps back down the glen to return to the start.
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Accommodation links for this area:
Hotels around Ullapool and Assynt
Ullapool and Easter Ross Bed and Breakfasts
Self catering cottages in Lochinver, Assynt and Coigach
Ullapool hostels
Campsites in Ullapool and Assynt region
