Cliad Bay and the northwest coast

Summary

Explore a wild stretch of the stunning western coastline of Coll. The route crosses some superb sandy beaches, home to seals, to reach a miniature rocky peak before returning along the quiet road.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Sandy beaches, grassy machair, minor road, rocky hill, pathless sections.

Getting there

Start

Parking at start of track, 500m west along B8071 from Arnabost junction.

Public Transport

None to start. Walk starts around 4km walk or cycle along road from Arinagour if without transport.

Start Grid Ref

NM206598

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9.25km / 5.75 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 113m (Profile)

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Explorer 372 - Coll & Tiree

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Park at NM206598 where a track - with a footpath sign for Cliad Bay - branches north from the B8071. The track leads through a gate and over the pastures to reach the island's recycling centre and tip. Pass to the right of this and continue on a now grassy track leading through the dunes and then take the path down onto the sandy beach at Cliad Bay.

Stage 2

Cross the burn to head to the right along the fine sands, which are often deserted. There are usually seals hauled up on the rocks just offshore - so it is worth bringing binoculars. At the very end of the beach cross a small stream outflow and head up the grass to cross a stile over a fence. Continue across the machair on a small path eventually passing a much smaller beach with a tidal islet offshore.

Stage 3

Pass through the gate and continue towards Bagh an Trailleich. Head down onto this beach of finest sand through another gate. Cross the bay; at the far end a slight rocky scramble is needed to get back up onto the machair. A faint grassy track continues the walk, never far from the coastline, leading through another gate.

Stage 4

Continuing east, aim for the windturbine prominent ahead. Keep the left (seaward) side of the turbine to pick up a track (another track from the turbine soon joins from the right) continue until just beyond a wide turning area and look for a narrow path heading down to the shore on the left. This leads to a gate in the fence, go through it and soon through another fence to access the beach Tràigh Gharbh. Cross the sand to the very far side and climb up to join a faint grassy coastal path. Follow this to go through a gate and then another sandy bay. Cross another grassy area to reach a deeper sandy inlet - there are now views of a small rock peak ahead.

Stage 5

Cross the sands then aim northeast, keeping the rock peak on your left (there were some picnic tables just here from the campsite on our last visit) and follow the edge of the grass above the sand to pass one of the camping pitches before descending to an inlet. Cross this and the stream and aim up the low grassy, boggy ground to reach the foot of a miniature peak - A' Chroic.

Stage 6

Though only just over 40m high, the ascent requires a little simple scrambling but is worthwhile for the excellent views of this part of Coll. It's best to walk around the bottom of the peak until you can see the road and ascend from that point. Retrace your steps back down to the foot of the peak and cross to the road ahead.

Stage 7

Turn right along the road for the 4km walk back. There is very little traffic - with grass growing in the centre for most of the way. Keep straight ahead at the junction at Arnabost to return to the start of the walk.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree Hotels

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree B&B

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree cottages

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree hostels

Glamping and Camping

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