This superb short walk visits the beautiful sandy beach at Mangurstadh before continuing above dramatic sea cliffs. It then visits the township of Mangurstadh before returning via the dunes behind the beach.
Track, sandy beach, grassy (but unprotected) clifftops, minor road. Generally straightforward going.
Infrequent bus from Stornoway - not possible to reach and return in a day.
Parking at small quarry at NB012307.
There is parking in a small ex-quarry at NB012307 just beyond a brown sign indicating a track down 'To The Shore'. Begin by heading down this track, soon giving views over the stunning Mangurstadh Beach (often anglicised to Mangersta).
Cross the dunes just behind the stones that back the beach, and head up the steep but grassy slope on the far side of the bay to reach the prominent cairn. There are stunning views back across the beach towards Mealaisbhal, the highest hill on Lewis.
From the cairn continue across perfect flat greensward to visit the cliff edge of the next shallow inlet - take care as the edge is undercut.
Follow an old grassy path that contours to the right of a grassy rise, noting the old lazybeds (cultivation terraces from the 19th century or earlier) on your right. Continue to the back of the next bay, where there is a fine sea stack. Continue above the clifftops to the far end of the bay where there is a gate in the fence.
Go through the gate and follow the grassy track, which runs alongside a sheep fank, until it reaches a gate and a tarmac road just beyond. Turn left along the road, following it uphill to a junction with an interesting signpost. Note the 'peat man' installation on the left side!
Keep right at the junction to continue past more of the scattered houses of Mangurstadh - one of the houses down to the right has a gallery you can visit. Further on, turn right onto a tarmac lane down towards some houses. Keep left as this becomes a track, passing through a gate to descend towards the sandy area behind Mangurstadh beach once more. Follow the track as it curves right but then leave it, crossing the burn to reach the sands. From here head towards the beach, rejoining your outward route to return to the start.
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