Starting from the stunning sand of Hùisinis the route follows the coast to start with and visits another spectacular beach before heading inland to climb to a broad ridge walk with superb views - St Kilda and many nearer islands are often visible.
Bog Factor
Rough and boggy in places, pathless on hill.
Parking area at Huisinish.
Bus service between Tarbert and Hùisinis.
NA992120
The single track B887 ends at the stunning sands of Hùisinis. There is a parking area and toilets here. Start the walk by heading briefly back along the road, then turning left on a Scottish Water track, passing to the right of the water building. The path forks left off the track at a marker post, and keeps to the right of the wall. When the sea is approached at the far end of the isthmus, turn right - signed for Crabhadail and Tràigh Mheilein. The island of Scarp can be seen ahead to the left, with a number of houses now mainly used as summer holiday homes. The narrows here were the site of the failed attempt to deliver the mail to Scarp by rocket when Scarp still had permanent residents.
The path is clear to follow - part an ancient route - and has had repair work done in recent years; however in places it is rocky and has steep drops. Where the path splits, with the path ahead continuing to the bright sand of Tràigh Mheilein, fork right to follow the small valley uphill keeping alongside a burn to start with. The path heads under the steep cliffs of Huiseabhal Beag before descending, following an old line of fence posts, to Loch na Cleabhaig. Head along the south shore of the loch, passing a lone cottage and continuing east to the sea.
Bear right to follow the shore to the sandy beach of Crabhadail which has great views and is a wonderful place to linger in good weather. Continue east along the turf backing the beach, crossing the remains of lazy beds which once grew crops. Half way along the bay aim south east across boggy ground to reach the west side of Loch a Ghlinne.
There is only a vague path here and the going can be rough in places. At the far end of the loch a much better path is reached which climbs in zig zags from Glen Cravadale, crossing the burn a number of times. Near the top keep an eye out for the zig zag to the left as a faint path straight up soon peters out. As the gradient eases a cairn is passed and soon another one marking the top of the bealach. Leave the path here to bear east (to the right) up the slope, passing the the north of the indistinct summit of Beidig.
After passing a small lochan aim NE directly up the easy grassy slope to the summit of Huiseabhal Mòr which is marked by a cairn.
Follow the broad, grassy ridge west descending a short distance before the easy climb to the summit of Oireabhal. The views from the cliff edge here are superb, particularly looking down at the beach visited earlier in the walk and over to the rocky lump of Scarp. Follow the slope NWN to the lower ground between Oireabhal and Huiseabhal Beag.
If time is short or an easier descent is needed, it is possible to head down SW from here to meet the road, however the views are superb from Huiseabhal Beag and the climb relatively short. Climb the slope directly ahead to the summit which is marked by a cairn. From here St Kilda can easily be made out on a clear day. To descend aim SW from the summit to start and further down bearing south to avoid the steepest ground, although any route is steep and boggy in places. You should aim to emerge at the road just before the sands of Hùisinis.
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