Tràigh an Iar - a 4km long crescent of perfect sand - is one of the finest beaches on North Uist. This simple walk heads along the beach of Tràigh Vallaigh first to reach it. You can make this walk as long or as short as you wish.
Bog Factor
Fine sandy beach
End of minor road which branches north from A865 from Malacleit (Malacleit).
Bus from Sollas (W19) on route to Carinish.
NF798749
Turn off the A865 onto a minor road branching northwards at Malacleite; it is about 1.5km west of the Co-op at Solas. There is room to park carefully at the end of the tarmac road. Follow the track and head down onto the eastern fringe of the Vallay sands - Tràigh Vallaigh. There are views across to the tidal island of Vallay.
After around a kilometre a corner is rounded and the southern end of Tràigh an Iar is reached. This superb 4km long crescent of finest sand backed by dunes must rank amongst the most beautiful in the Hebrides.
You can walk as far along the beach as you wish as the return is the same way. At the far end the beach reaches the grassy headland of Rubha Bellis. If you do go this far, you can link the walk up with the middle part Aird a'Mhorain route (which starts and ends at Grenitote) - perhaps visiting the prehistoric site at Udal on the hillock just east of the track.
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