The Greshornish Peninsula is encircled by some beautiful coastal cliff scenery; the circuit around it is a short but challenging outing with lovely views.
Good grassy paths in places; boggy and thick heather slopes in others.
None to start. Bus 56 (but NOT 56A) passes nearest: get off at the start of the Greshornish minor road, 4km from start.
Minor road near Greshornish House hotel.
Take the Greshornish minor road off the A850. There is usually parking space opposite the back gate of the Greshornish House hotel. The walk starts from here; take the track on the left through the gate opposite the hotel - there is a sign marked Diubaig House. Walk along the track until it forks by a copse of trees; take the left fork through the gate.
Don't continue on the track into the sheep pen, but instead follow the grassier track which keeps by the wall on the right and soon heads through another gate. Beyond the pleasantly grassy track climbs a little - ignore a fainter fork off right. Soon the track begins descending towards the coastline ahead. Ignore a gate to the left where the main track goes through towards Diubaig Bay, instead keeping to the right of the wall. The track soon becomes a footpath, bends to the right and comes alongside the coast.
The next section of the walk alternates between having a good path and being boggy. Continue northwards above the line of coastal cliffs. The main path worn by sheep leads out across the face of these cliffs, so bear right up through the heather to continue the walk along the cliff tops.
There are several sea caves far below the cliffs. After several climbs and descents, the route heads up almost to the summit of Maol na h-Airde to pass above the highest and most impressive cliffs.
The summit is an excellent viewpoint with the whole Greshornish peninsula visible, with the Waternish over to the left and Trotternish to the right. Directly out to sea the mountains of Harris can be made out on a good day. Descend and continue along the now lower cliffs using sheep paths to reach Greshornish Point itself, where there is a grassy spot atop the rocky coastline for a rest to admire the views of the islets of Eilean Beag and Eilean Mòr .
The way now heads back along the eastern coastline, which is less dramatic but also requires less effort than the outward route. There is a fairly clear path most of the way, though it is often boggy. The path soon reaches Dùn na h-Airde, an iron age fort situated atop a prominent white crag above the sea. Not much remains, though there are some sections of walling each side of the original entrance.
Beyond Dùn na h-Airde, the path keeps a little further inland. The going begins to improve a little once beyond the offshore fish farm. When the houses of Greshornish come into view, head up slightly to the right to meet a track leading to the end of the dry stone wall ahead. This track leads eventually to a padlocked gate. Turn right here and follow the fence until beyond Diubeg House. Pass through a gate to join the lane and follow this back to the start.
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