Ben Stack

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Ben Stack looks spectacular from the west - a great cone of rock rising to an airy summit. Climbing it from the east, the ascent is fairly short, yet rewarded with superb views out over the Sutherland coastline, and inland to the scree-girt ridges of Foinaven and Arkle to the north, and Quinag to the south.

Terrain

Very boggy, faint path in places.

Public Transport

None to start, nearest bus Achfary (bus 805/806 from Durness and Lairg) 1.5km from start.

Start

Parking where track leaves A838 1.5km north of Achfary; there is space before the private road sign. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Deer Stalking information

Reay Forest Estate: Stalking between early July and 20 October. No stalking on Sundays. Access by the path from NC 265438 (on the A838 near Lochstack Lodge) is always OK. If further information is needed, please phone 07739 626445 or email: david.allison@grosvenor.com.

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Bog Factor (key)

Walk Description

Stage 1

Ben Stack lies on the A838 between Lairg and Laxford Bridge. There is a small parking area on the right hand side coming from Lairg, 1.5km north of the pretty settlement of Achfary. The parking area is just before the Private Road sign for the track leading to Lone. The stunning scree-girt mountain seen to the north here is Arkle; from this angle Ben Stack looks unimpressive, however from the NW side it dominates the landscape (see photo). It is possible to make a circular walk by continuing north-west from the summit to eventually reach a stalkers path to reach the road near Stack Lodge and then return the 5km along the road, however the top part of the descent is very steep. This route describes the same route up and down.

Stage 2

From the parking area walk along the tarmac road towards Achfary (south) for a very short distance until a track goes off on the right. This leads to a phone transmitter mast. From here, set out over the boggy ground towards the mountain - either over or around the initial lump. Beyond this, the ascent leads up the open, boggy slope, keeping generally to the left of a rocky spine clearly visible at this point; there's a boggy path for much of the way. It is also possible to climb onto the spine and follow that, although the going is slightly tougher and not much drier underfoot.

Stage 3

Looking back there are good views over Loch More and as height is gained Loch Stack comes into view. Keep heading north-west until the ground levels off and the much more shapely upper part of the mountain comes into view It is necessary to dip a little in a northwards direction to avoid a rocky knoll before starting the steep ascent beyond.

Stage 4

This part of the climb is better underfoot, and there are superb views to the quartzite ridges of Foinaven and Arkle off to the right.

Stage 5

The summit area is confusing in poor visibility, as it is split into two parallel ridges with a v-shaped depression between them. The southern (left hand) ridge has the trig point, but is actually slightly lower than the true summit which at 721 metres is just beyond a radio mast on the northern (right hand) ridge. From here there are excellent views in all directions.

Stage 6

The descent described here is back the same way - with fabulous views ahead all the way. Once down from the summit cone, the rocky ridge ascended on the way up makes a useful navigational aid as it leads all the way back to the start.

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