Acheninver Hostel and Badenscallie

Summary

This short ramble near Achiltibuie leads past remote Acheninver Hostel down to a beautiful stretch of shoreline. There are both pebble and sandy beaches and great views across Horse Sound.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good path down to shore. The optional continuation path along the shore to the burial ground is more rugged going but brief, before a return along tarmac lanes.

Getting there

Start

Car parking above Acheninver Hostel.

Public Transport

None to start, but there is a bus to Badenscallie (Bus 811 from Ullapool) which links with the route.

Start Grid Ref

NC044059

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.25km / 2 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 72m (Profile)

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Explorer 439 - Coigach

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

There is a parking area just off the road by a signpost for 'Acheninver Coastal Trail', just west of a bridge and white cottage on the minor road running east from Achilitibuie; if full there is further parking on the route by the coastal cemetery in Badenscallie. From the car park, take the constructed path that heads downhill towards the hostel, whose whitewashed walls are just visible.

Stage 2

There is a well-walked shortcut with stone steps that cuts out a bend on the original path, and the hostel is soon reached. The dramatic triangular peak rising behind is Conmheall, an outlier of the Ben More Coigach range. Do not cross the wooden footbridge to the building, but instead continue down the west side of the stream.

Stage 3

Soon the pebbly shore is reached where the burn flows out to sea - a great place to watch for otters who need to visit freshwater. There are beautiful views to the Summer Isles and across towards An Teallach. If you are just looking for an easy ramble, return the way you came from here, but if you don't mind more rugged going you can pick up a path that heads along the coast from just before the shore was reached. There are several variant sheep paths - take the one that keeps nearest to the coastline.

Stage 4

The path soon passes some beautiful rocky slabs which extend down to the sea. Beyond this there is a rockier section of coast; if the bracken is high it's better to keep to the top of the rocks to avoid the dense bracken that can cover the path through the crags. When a fence is reached follow it left down towards the sea - ignoring a farm gate. There is a steep descent at the end that requires care, leading down to a gate on the shore.

Stage 5

Pass through the gate and then continue along the rocky shoreline, soon passing round the back of an attractive pebble and sand bay. Continue past the Badenscallie cemetery on your right; there is a bench at the far corner. It is possible to drive down through Badenscallie to here to park, if the parking at the start of the walk was full.

Stage 6

It is possible to continue along the coast from here to link with the Polglass broch walk. Our route however follows the tarmac road that leads uphill through Badenscallie to meet the main road a t-junction. Turn right here to continue along this road back to the start.

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