Tolsta Head and Tràigh Mhòr, North Tolsta

Summary

Tolsta Head - Rubha Tholastaidh in Gaelic - is a cliff-girt headland projecting from the east coast of Lewis. Fine coastal cliff scenery as well as bird and sea-mammal watching opportunities. A short but steep descent then leads down to Tràigh Mhor, one of Lewis' finest beaches, return via quiet road.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

No path in places, occasional waymarkers, very boggy and unprotected clifftops. Steep grass descent, then sandy beach and minor road.

Getting there

Start

Parking area at North Tolsta where B895 meets Camach Terrace.

Public Transport

North Tolsta is well served by bus from Stornoway.

Start Grid Ref

NB538474

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.25km / 6.25 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 311m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Although parking for the Tolsta Head walk is signed from the B895 it is very small and hard to find, so it is better to park in the large parking area in North Tolsta where the main B895 road meets Camach Terrace. From here follow Camach Terrace towards the coast. Just before the final houses turn right (signed for the walk) and follow the road as it bends right between a row of houses and turns left along the coast towards a single croft house at Cnoc a'Runaire. Just before the house turn left across a small parking area and go through the farm gate (just beyond a square stone which was once a sign) into the field. Despite this being a publicly-funded, waymarked route, signs for the start of the walk are not always in place. However once through the gate turn right to follow a path alongside the fence for 100m. Bear right and pass the last fence of the croft fork and over a short duckboard and head diagonally right uphill towards the cliff and a marker post. Soon join the clifftop, there are views back along the coast to the beach of Tràigh Ghioradail, backed by cliffs.

Stage 2

Continue following the marker posts which indicate a route by the dramatic clifftops, with occasional views down to stacks and natural arches. The going is grassy but regularly interspersed with sodden channels of moss and bog - it would be quite an achievement to keep your feet dry. Eventually a wooden signpost is passed to your left - the left arrow points to a short-cut to Heisgeir, but our route continues out towards Rubha Tholastaidh - Tolsta Head.

Stage 3

Continue round the far end of the headland; if the day is clear there are views over to the mainland with the distinctive sugar-loaf of Suilven prominent. Look out too for minke whales or perhaps a basking shark in the water. As the route returns along the north side of the peninsula an even more impressive scene is revealed ahead - the jagged sea stacks of Heisgeir backed by the sweeping sands of Tràigh Mhor. Keep following the faint path along hte coast to reach the two-armed signpost above the Heisgeir stacks - the counterpart to that passed earlier indicating the shortcut across the peninsula. To continue our walk ignore the sign and continue along the ever-boggy clifftops.

Stage 4

The beach of Tràigh Mhòr - amongst the finest on Lewis - now beckons, offering relief from the wet ground underfoot. Go through a pedestrian gate and descend slihgtly on springy turf. Before the cliff edge ahead is reached turn sharp right to head steeply down a grassy path towards the beach. At the bottom of the cliff continue ahead to cross the final dune and a steep drop to the sands. Turn left along the beach crossing the burn.

Stage 5

Continue right to the far end of the beach and then head left onto the grass to pass some picnic tables and cross a footbridge to reach the car park and toilets.

Stage 6

From here head up the tarmac road to a junction, then turn left to begin the walk back along the road to North Tolsta. Tolstadh bho Thuath in Gaelic, the name translates literally as 'Tolsta from the north' with Tolstadh coming from the Norse for Tholf's farm.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Outer Hebrides Hotels

Outer Hebrides B&B

Isle of Lewis cottages

Outer Hebrides hostels

Glamping and Camping

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