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NC500 Northwest Highlands Walks and Treks

Unsere Top 4 Berge im Nordwesten Schottlands

Nach langjähriger Erfahrung als Wander-Guide im wilden Nordwesten Schottlands haben sich die folgenden Wanderungen als meine Top 4 Wege bzw. Bergbesteigungen herausgestellt.

Quinag

Quinag ist ein 808 m hoher Gebirgszug in Sutherland, der nur 40 Autominuten nördlich von Ullapool liegt.

Es handelt sich nicht um einen einzelnen Berg, sondern um eine dramatische Gipfelkette, die auf Schottisch-Gälisch Sàil Gharbh, Sàil Ghorm und Spidean Coinich heißt. 

Der Quinag ist insofern ungewöhnlich, als er dem normalen Wanderer nicht weniger als drei einzelne Gipfel über 2.500 Fuß (Corbetts) bietet – eine Tour zu allen Gipfeln ist ein ziemlich großes Unterfangen. Das bedeutet, dass dies kein einfacher Tagesausflug ist, wenn man alle drei in Angriff nimmt. Aus diesem Grund nehmen wir nur zwei in unsere Tagesroute auf, um sie für die meisten erreichbar zu machen.

Ihre Anstrengung wird mit atemberaubenden Ausblicken auf Loch Assynt im Süden, Conival und Ben More Assynt im Südosten und Loch a’Chàirn Bhàin belohnt.

Details zur Wanderung: 12 km – Aufstieg 800 m, Abstieg 800 m – Gehzeit 5 – 6 h

Taken from the ridge of Quinag.

Ben More Assynt und Conival

Ben More Assynt und Conival sind die einzigen Munros in Assynt (Berge über 3000 Fuß/915 Meter).

Es handelt sich um zwei felsige Berge, die durch einen feinen Bergrücken miteinander verbunden sind und zusammen einen anspruchsvollen, aber lohnenden Tagesausflug über unwegsames Gelände bieten.

Von den Gipfeln aus eröffnen sich fantastische Ausblicke auf eine abgelegene und bemerkenswerte Landschaft in einem geologisch faszinierenden Gebiet des nordwestlichen Hochlands. Der Ben More Assynt, übersetzt “Großer Berg von Assynt”, ist mit einer Höhe von 998 Metern der höchste Punkt in Sutherland.

Diese Berge haben Kultcharakter und sind ein Muss für Munro-Fans und Liebhaber wilder Gebiete. Ein wunderbarer und unvergesslicher Tagesausflug in einer atemberaubenden Gegend von natürlicher Schönheit.

Details zur Wanderung: 17,25 km – Aufstieg 1075 m, Abstieg 1075 – Gehzeit 8,5 – 9,5 h

Suilven

Dies ist eine inspirierende Art, diesen herrlichen Berg zu besteigen.

Suilven ist zwar nur 731 Meter hoch, aber seine bemerkenswerte Silhouette macht ihn zu einem der bekanntesten und am leichtesten zu identifizierenden Berge Schottlands.

Seine Lage im Herzen der Cnoc-and-Loch-Landschaft von Assynt und die herrliche Aussicht machen ihn zu einem der schönsten Gipfel Großbritanniens.

Der Rückweg erfolgt auf der gleichen Route, die wir hinaufgewandert sind.

Details zur Wanderung: 19,5 km – Aufstieg 750 m, Abstieg 750 m – Gehzeit 7 – 8 h

Suilven seen from the path to Glencanisp Lodge

Cul Mor

Assynt im äußersten Nordwesten Schottlands ist im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes atemberaubend. Die Landschaft ist so außergewöhnlich, dass man meinen könnte, man sei auf einen anderen Planeten gereist.

Der felsige Gipfel des Cul Mor, einer der höchsten Gipfel in Assynt, bietet nicht nur wunderschöne Ausblicke, sondern auch einen Einblick in die Geschichte der Entstehung der umliegenden Landschaft. Cul Mor, was so viel wie “großer Rücken” bedeutet, erhebt sich von Knockan Crag im Osten und überblickt Loch Sionascaig und den benachbarten Gipfel Stac Pollaidh im Westen.

Trotz seiner größeren Höhe ist er weniger bekannt als seine beiden anderen Nachbarn, Suilven und Stac Pollaidh, aber da er höher liegt, hat man von hier aus einen herrlichen Blick auf diese und andere Nachbarn sowie einen weiten, atemberaubenden Blick bis zu den Summer Isles.

Details zur Wanderung: 13 km – Aufstieg 670 m, Abstieg 670 m – Gehzeit 5 h–5,5 h

Just before the summit of Cul Mor

  • 1 Day Walking Adventures

Categories
NC500 News & Updates Northwest Highlands Updates

Walks around Ullapool 2022

All Walking trips and Day Walks are bookable for 2022

We haven’t been posting much here recently. The summer has been amazing and most of it we have been out and about guiding folk all around Ullapool and the North-West of Scotland.

We thank every single person who booked with us in 2021, especially all the returning guests. We all need this in times likes this.

Then we got surprisingly a job offer to return to the Canaries for guiding walking trips after a 2 years abstinence. COVID stopped us from regularly heading out in Autumn and Spring.

Now after being here 8 weeks working here we are slowly shifting our focus back to our beloved Scotland and home village Ullapool.

All walks are now bookable from the 1st of April until the 15th of October 2022. Our approach this time is different and every walk can be booked every day. We now have a guide pool in place and can offer more walks per day if needed.

Each walk needs a minimum of at least 4 guests to make it viable.

Should a walk not have the minimum amount of guests a few days before we will offer you either to pay a supplement to guarantee the walk or we refund you in full if this is the preferred option.

Opportunities are endless when it comes to walking and if you don’t find what you like to do please get in touch. We endeavour to find a suitable walk for you or you may have an idea yourself.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our wee corner of the North-West in Scotland in 2022.

All the best.

Rosie & Ben & Corrie

Greetings from the Canaries (Tenerife)
Categories
News & Updates Northwest Highlands

April 2021 – Walks around Ullapool

From April 2021 (depending on COVID-19 Rules at the time) we are delighted to offer 1 Day Walking Adventures “Walks around Ullapool” (within 45 minutes drive maximum) on a monthly basis.

We will mix each week with difficulty levels from easy to hard and will outline the week regularly on our BlogFacebook and Instagram pages in advance.

All groups will be run with a maximum of 1:7 Guide to client ratio.

More walks will follow and we add them every week. Here you can read more about each walk and book straight online 24/7.

April 2021

DateDayWalk NameWalk DetailsDifficulty
01/04/2021ThursdayNavigation and Mountain Safety DayEASY
02/04/2021FridayStac Pollaidh at sunset2.75 miles, 4.5 km – Ascent 470 m, Descent 470 m – Walking time 2.5 -3 hLevel 2+
04/04/2021SundayUllapool Hill and Beinn Eilideach Loop8 miles, 13 km – Ascent 575 m, Descent 575 m – Walking time 5 hLevel 2+
05/04/2021MondayLoch Toll an Lochain, a Corrie not to miss6.2 miles, 10 km – Ascent 270 m, Descent 380 m – Walking time 3 – 4 hLevel 2+
06/04/2021TuesdayCul Mor, one of the highest peaks in Assynt8 miles, 13 km – Ascent 670 m, Descent 670 m – Walking time 5 hLevel 3
07/04/2021WednesdayExplore the highest Waterfall in Scotland with 658 ft (200 m)9.4 miles, 15 km – Ascent 840 m, Descent 700 m – Walking time 5 – 6 hLevel 3+
08/04/2021ThursdayUllapool Hill and Beinn Eilideach Loop8 miles, 13 km – Ascent 575 m, Descent 575 m – Walking time 5 hLevel 2+
09/04/2021FridayStac Pollaidh at sunset2.75 miles, 4.5 km – Ascent 470 m, Descent 470 m – Walking time 2.5 -3 hLevel 2+
10/04/2021SaturdayNavigation and Mountain Safety DayEASY
11/04/2021SundaySuilven with a cycling and walking approachWalk details: 3.2 miles, 11 km – Ascent 515 m, Descent 515 m- Walking time 3 – 4 h, Ride details: 9 miles, 14.5 km – Ascent 115 m, Descent 115 m – Cycling time 1.5 hLevel 3+
12/04/2021MondayLoch Toll an Lochain, a Corrie not to miss6.2 miles, 10 km – Ascent 270 m, Descent 380 m – Walking time 3 – 4 hLevel 2+
14/04/2021WednesdayStac Pollaidh at sunset2.75 miles, 4.5 km – Ascent 470 m, Descent 470 m – Walking time 2.5 -3 hLevel 2+
15/04/2022ThursdayUllapool Hill and Beinn Eilideach Loop8 miles, 13 km – Ascent 575 m, Descent 575 m – Walking time 5 hLevel 2+
16/04/2021FridaySuilven with a cycling and walking approachWalk details: 3.2 miles, 11 km – Ascent 515 m, Descent 515 m- Walking time 3 – 4 h, Ride details: 9 miles, 14.5 km – Ascent 115 m, Descent 115 m – Cycling time 1.5 hLevel 3+
17/04/2021SaturdayQuinag and a magnificent ridge walk6.5 miles, 10 km – Ascent 750 m, Descent 750 m – Walking time 4.5 – 5 hLevel 3+
19/04/2021MondayLoch Toll an Lochain, a Corrie not to miss6.2 miles, 10 km – Ascent 270 m, Descent 380 m – Walking time 3 – 4 hLevel 2+
20/04/2021TuesdayMagnificent Sandwood Bay9.5 miles, 15 km – Ascent 360 m, Descent 360 m – Walking time 4.5 hLevel 2+
21/04/2021WednesdayBeinn Dearg Loop and the ‘famine’ wall12.3 miles, 20 km – Ascent 1066 m, Descent 1066 m – Walking time 7 hLevel 4
22/04/2021ThursdayUllapool Hill and Beinn Eilideach Loop8 miles, 13 km – Ascent 575 m, Descent 575 m – Walking time 5 hLevel 2+
23/04/2021FridayQuinag and a magnificent ridge walk6.5 miles, 10 km – Ascent 750 m, Descent 750 m – Walking time 4.5 – 5 hLevel 3+
24/04/2021SaturdayNavigation and Mountain Safety DayEASY
25/04/2021SundayLoch Toll an Lochain, a Corrie not to miss6.2 miles, 10 km – Ascent 270 m, Descent 380 m – Walking time 3 – 4 hLevel 2+
26/04/2021MondayBone Caves to Traligill Caves and Inchnadampf6.5 miles, 10 km – Ascent 400 m, Descent 470 m – Walking time 4 hLevel 2+
27/04/2021TuesdayCul Mor, one of the highest peaks in Assynt8 miles, 13 km – Ascent 670 m, Descent 670 m – Walking time 5 hLevel 3
28/04/2021WednesdayBeinn Dearg Loop and the ‘famine’ wall12.3 miles, 20 km – Ascent 1066 m, Descent 1066 m – Walking time 7 hLevel 4
29/04/2021ThursdayStac Pollaidh at sunset2.75 miles, 4.5 km – Ascent 470 m, Descent 470 m – Walking time 2.5 -3 hLevel 2+
30/04/2021FridayQuinag and a magnificent ridge walk6.5 miles, 10 km – Ascent 750 m, Descent 750 m – Walking time 4.5 – 5 hLevel 3+

2021 – Walks around Ullapool

All McKenzie Mountaineering – Guided Walking Adventure walks and courses are limited to 7 places, to give you a great experience and to minimise our impact on the environment.

Categories
Northwest Highlands Walks and Treks

Walking in Ullapool and surroundings

In this blog “Walking in Ullapool and surroundings” we describe 5 shorter walks. Each of them is a maximum of 20 minutes drive or starts within the village.

Along the River Broom

A delightful river walk, starting from the T-junction and bridge towards Loggie. You can make this walk as long or as short as you like.

A great time to do this walk is in the springtime when the bluebells begin to bloom, but any other time of year offers a serene and relaxing setting.

Inverbroom estate has done a fantastic job with bridges, stairs and signs for the various pools within the river. There are so many choices for a lovely dip into the refreshing (cold) water.

Short walks in Ullapool
Corrie waiting patiently
Ben in deep thoughts in a very tranquil scenery

The beauty of walking Ullapool Hill or Meall Mòr

This short but relatively strenuous walk from Ullapool gives great views over the village and across Loch Broom in one direction, and in the other direction, towards the surrounding hills and high mountains which offers a totally different experience.

Although short, it is rocky and muddy underfoot in places boots are highly recommended.

There are plenty of benches to stop at and enjoy the view out to sea and towards the Summer Isles on the paths towards and up and down Meall Mòr.

View towards the Golf course and Morefield.
Activites in Ullapool
Loch Broom as it best.

Lael Forest Circuit

If you are just looking to go for a stroll with some gorgeous views over Beinn Dearg in the far distance, this walk has it all in just under two hours.

You start at the Walkers car park for Beinn Dearg and make use of the forest tracks and two old connection tracks (now a path) to do a loop within the woods.

View over to Beinn Dearg
Ullapool Community Trust, locally organised Lael Forest Walk Group

Walking through the history of Geology at Knockan Crags

This trail brings the geology of the Moine Thrust to life as the path climbs past the exposed rocks and up onto the top of the Knockan Crag.

From here there are spectacular views over Assynt towards Cul Mor, Cul Beag and Ben More Coigach. The trail includes sculptures and poetry and places to sit and enjoy the views.

A fairly easy trail to follow, if you go clockwise there is a steep but short ascent to the top of Knockan Crags. From there on the path is meandering nicely above the Crags all the way back to the car park.

Horne and Peach discussing their findings.
Rosie walking along the top of Knockan Crags

Dùn Canna Fort and Camas Mòr/Camas Beag beach

A delightful coastal walk to Dun Canna, a large Iron Age fort situated on a promontory at the foot of Ben More Coigach. There are beautiful views west to the Summer Isles and east along Strath Canaird.

The cliffs protecting the fort and overlooking two pebble beaches are stunning and a great place to explore for a family walk. This can be a day’s outing – enjoying the walk, inspecting the fort, picnicking, bathing and beachcombing.

The path, which follows the River Canaird, is easy to follow but can be sometimes a bit more hands-on and muddy in places. Depending on how much rain has been the days before.

Nevertheless, it is a great fun outing with only 1.5 miles (maximum 1h) to walk each way.

Walking in Ullapool
Walking in Ullapool

For more information about walking in Ullapool or what the area around Ullapool can offer, please send us an email.

Categories
Northwest Highlands

Wonders of Assynt

Shapely mountains, sparkling lochans, geological wonders and stunning coastlines make a visit to Assynt in the north west of Scotland a must do for anyone who appreciates remarkable scenery that’s unlike any other landscape you are likely to come across in the country.

The ascent of mountains such as Suilven, Stac Pollaidh and Cul Mor whilst not the largest in Scotland offer a challenge in their ruggedness and with views so immense and mouth dropping, ensure that the memories will stay with you for a lifetime.

Suilven is one of Scotland’s best known mountains, and although only standing at 723 metres high it’s bulk and position as it rises from the lunar like surrounding landscape of moors and lochans, gives the impression of a much larger hill. Indeed, the steep sided ridge at 2km long has three summits, Caisteal Liath, Meall Mheadhonach and Meall Beag.

Stac Pollaidh

Stac Pollaidh from a distance is a remarkable vision with it’s ridge line of pinnacles and gullies that fool you into thinking there is no possible walkers route up this popular hill! The ascent is reached via a path that sneaks gradually around the back off the mountain and climbs via steep but easy rocky steps to the eastern ridge and summit.

A lesser known peak in the area is Cul Mor, a twin summited mountain which is the highest in Northern Wester Ross at 849 meters.

It undoubtedly has some of the best 360 degrees views anywhere in Assynt, with the archipelago of the summer isles pushing into the Atlantic ocean, and the outline of mountains such as Stac Pollaidh, Suilven and Coigach to name but a few, as well as endless tiny lochans dotting the moorland. Simply spectacular!

Knockan Crags Trail

A short distance from Cul Mor lies Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, part of the North West Highlands Geopark. It’s home to an interpretation centre that offers a great insight into the unique and fascinating geology of the area.

As well as being hugely informative and interesting for adults, it’s a great place to introduce kids to geological history with it being interactive, clearly explained and user friendly.

There are also three delightful way – marked trails at the Nature reserve, with sculptures and points of interest that bring the geological history to life.

From its Geology to it’s beaches, Assynt never fails to impress and Achmelvich beach and Clachtoll beach are regarded as two of the most unspoilt in the area with their pristine soft white sands and tempting turquoise sea. From these delightful beaches, you can enjoy some lovely walking routes offering snippets of interesting history of ancient brochs and even a hermits castle!

Clachtoll Beach

All in all, the wonders of Assynt are truly inspiring. I’ve named just a few! There is so much more to explore and discover that will make you want to come back again and again.

You will find yourself immersed into its diversity and uniqueness and come away with wonderful memories of this beautiful corner of Scotland.