Eabhal (Eaval), North Uist

Summary

Eaval is the highest hill on North Uist. Though only 347m in height its steep cone dominates the low-lying island and provides unique, stunning views of the amazing land-and-waterscape around it.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Faint, boggy path to foot of Eaval, then pathless steep ascent. Rugged going throughout. The stepping stones at the outflow of Loch Obasaraigh can be covered at very high tide, check tide times before setting out.

Public Transport

None.

Start

End of minor road along Loch Euphort. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.5km / 6.5 miles
Time: 4 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 375m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NF890631

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Eabhal (Eaval)

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (16)

Stage 1

Park at the very end of the minor road along Loch Euphort, near the Beacon Studio; there are good views of Eaval across Loch Obasaraigh. Just before the end of the road is a fine sculpture by Roddie Mathieson, part of the Roadends project to install sculptures at several locations on the island. Begin the walk by heading along the track, then passing to the right of the final house and across the grass ahead. Aim through a gap in the fence to follow a faint route east onto the moorland.

Stage 2

The route gives good views across Euphort to the two Lee hills before descending to reach a causeway of stones across the outflow of Loch Obasaraigh (this may be impossible to cross at very high tides - check before setting out). Beyond this there are at least two different intermittent paths which continue across the moor - boggy in places - towards the hill of Burrabhal seen ahead. Cross the fence just short of Burrabhal close to the shores of the loch. A path now continues just above the loch shore, passing around Burrabhal to the right.

Stage 3

The path crosses several very boggy patches but later the going does become much drier underfoot. The scenery is superb, with a great outlook over the loch, dotted with islands, whilst the shore is rocky in some parts and sandy in others. At the easternmost fringe of the loch the path reaches a longer, beautiful sandy bay. It is necessary to cross a burn to reach it and continue along the sand.

Stage 4

From the far end of the sand the path crosses the heather once more to begin climbing up the long east ridge of Eaval. The ridge is ill-defined and the path starts up its left side before petering out as height is gained. Any rocks on the ascent are easily avoided, and as height is gained a superb view opens up behind of the extremely wild waterscape of this part of North Uist - seemingly more land than water and completely untamed.

Stage 5

The summit is marked by a trig point sited in a windshelter cairn. This is truly a unique viewpoint, with the whole of North Uist mapped below as a maze of lochans in the east and a strip of sand and green machair to the west, whilst north rise the mountains of Harris and south the Beinn Mhòr group on South Uist. Skye seems only a stone's throw away on a clear day. The strip of crofting land alongside the Loch Euphort road looks like a green oasis amidst the brown moors that surround it.

Stage 6

The return walk is back the same way. It is possible to vary the route by returning over the top of Burrabhal, picking a way up the rocky slopes on this side, before returning to the stones over the loch outflow on the way back to the Loch Euphort road.

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