Meall Horn

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Meall Horn may attract little attention, its rounded dome rather overshadowed by the more distinctive mountains around it, but it offers a grand circuit with some superb views of those illustrious neighbours.

Terrain

Good tracks for the approach and return, otherwise pathless but decent hillwalking terrain with one section of peat hags on ascent.

Public Transport

Nearest bus stop is Achfary (bus 805/806 from Durness and Lairg).

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. If approaching via the Airdachuilinn road to Lone, please leave vehicles in the car park by the white mail box approximately 400m north of Achfary on the A838 (NC298402). Access to Arkle or Foinaven by this route is always OK. If further information is needed, please phone 07739 626445 or email: david.allison@grosvenor.com.

Users' reports

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins from the A838 between Lairg and Laxford Bridge. There is a small parking area on the north side coming from Lairg, 1.5km north of Achfary. The parking area is just before the Private Road sign for the track leading to Lone. Begin the walk along this private road; it soon crosses the river and then turns north to towards Loch Stack. There are magnificent views of Arkle directly ahead, its steep southwestern slopes of crumbling quartzite rising high beyond the loch. At Airdachuillin there is an attractive house; here the tarmac road becomes a track.

Stage 2

The road bends to the right and soon reaches a second branch of Loch Stack. At Lone pass to the right of the large barn to reach and cross a bridge over the river, passing the picturesque derelict cottage at Lone. Slightly further on the track forks; take the left branch. This reaches a pinewood plantation, passing between two gigantic boulders which act like a gateway. The track begins climbing through the trees, soon emerging above them and continuing to ascend above the Allt Horn gorge. There are superb views back to Ben Stack above the loch.

Stage 3

The gradient eases; continue on the track up the glen, descending slightly and crossing a burn. Continue along the track for another 2km, until a good point to strike off eastwards towards a wide break in the line of crags below Meall Horn. The ground across a dip is boggy and has deep peat hags; these could be avoided in wetter weather by heading further up the track before traversing back across.

Stage 4

Above the bogs, firmer ground leads NE to climb up to the wide, stony bealach between Creagan Meall Horn and Meall Horn itself. Looking back during the ascent, there are stunning views to Arkle, whilst from the bealach the views look down to Loch Eriboll and the northern coastline.

Stage 5

The stony slopes leads lead quickly up to the summit cairn, with Ben Hope looking very impressive, rising steeply in isolation. Rather than retracing steps, a good circuit can be made by descending the SSW flank to the Cadha Cumhainn bealach.

Stage 6

The bealach is a delightful spot, with rocky slabs cradling tiny lochans and views down to Coire Granda and its own larger lochan (photo shows view back to Meall Horn). Continue up onto the Creachan Thormaid ridge, which soon becomes broad and heathery.

Stage 7

Descend to Sail an Taghain, heading out to point 341m before curving southwards to descend pathless ground to meet the track coming down from the Bealach na Feithe. Turn right along this, rejoining the outward route near Lone, and then retrace your steps back to the start.

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