Huiseabhal Mor ridge, Huisinish

Starting from the stunning sand of Huisinish 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.

Terrain

Rough and boggy in places, pathless on hill.

Public Transport

Bus service between Tarbert and Huisinish.

Start

Parking area at Huisinish. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 13km / 8 miles
Time (summer conditions): 6 hours
Ascent: 742m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NA992120

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Huiseabhal Mhor

Maps, App and GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The single track B887 ends at the stunning sands of Huisinish. There is a parking area and toilets here. Start the walk by heading up behind the toilets soon going through a gap in the wall and turning left to follow a vague path alongside the wall - this can be boggy in places. 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 was the site of the failed attempt to deliver the mail to Scarp by rocket when Scarp was more populated. Before the cliffs head up to the right to follow the well made path - don't be tempted by the sheep paths nearer to the cliff edge.

Stage 2

Where the path splits, with the path ahead continuing to the bright sand of Traigh 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.

Stage 3

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.

Stage 4

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.

Stage 5

After passing a small lochan aim NE directly up the easy grassy slope to the summit of Huiseabhal Mor which is marked by a cairn.

Stage 6

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.

Stage 7

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 Huisinish.

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