Ullapool hill and Braes of Ullapool

Summary

This short but steep ascent reveals superb views over Loch Broom and Ullapool. The highest point is the outcrop of Meall Mòr with views inland of Loch Achall and surrounding countryside. The walk is particularly beautiful in the autumn when the heather is a purple blaze.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Steep sections on good paths with some short muddy sections after rain; minor road and pavements on return.

Getting there

Start

Ullapool town centre.

Public Transport

Regular bus service to Ullapool from Inverness and more local villages.

Start Grid Ref

NH125942

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.5km / 4.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 258m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

If arriving by car, begin from the large car park (charge) next to Tesco supermarket in the centre of Ullapool, then head east along Market Street. Alternatively reach this point from the harbour by heading up Quay Street and taking the third right. Continue east along Market Street to join the A835 opposite the High School. Turn left and walk along the main road for 5 minutes passing Highland Stoneware on your right. Turn right just after the road into Broom Court, which is a small block of flats, into Broom Park and there is a sign for Ullapool Hill Paths straight ahead. Go through the wooden gate ahead and follow the path as it starts climbing to the right.

Stage 2

Ignore a path off to the right and continue on the main path as it climbs and turns to the left reaching a bench with good views over Ullapool. Follow the path behind the bench marked with a red and white marker post. The path winds through the heather, leading to another bench; a detour path to the right here climbs to yet another bench with a different view.

Stage 3

Back on the main path, eventually a metal view indicator is reached showing the surrounding hills and lochs. Further on at a junction keep left (the path to the right - with the white marker - is used for the return route).

Stage 4

Soon a bench is reached; fork right here, following the red waymarkers up the open ridge towards the summit of Meall Mòr . On a fine day there are great views down Loch Broom. The tiny summit cairn is at 270 metres.

Stage 5

From here Loch Achall can be seen to the north. Retrace your steps back down the ridge to the bench, keeping left here and then left again - following the white marker - to diverge from the ascent route.

Stage 6

The path winds through scattered trees and gives superb views up Loch Broom. Eventually it swings right and descends a little before passing through a gate into a forestry plantation. A short distance further on, through another gate, it emerges on a track by a communications mast.

Stage 7

Turn right to head down the lane through the houses of Braes of Ullapool. Turn right at at t-junction, then right again when a second t-junction is reached further down the hill. Eventually the main A835 road is reached - turn right along the pavement to head back towards Ullapool.

Stage 8

You can fork left through a small park and then head along the harbour front road through Ullapool. If you time the walk right you will see the Calmac ferry for the Western Isles arriving or leaving. The large ship appears to dwarf both Ullapool and the smaller fishing boats in Loch Broom. To return to the Tesco car park, turn right at the Seaforth pub; the supermarket car park is then the second left.

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