About
Please note the advisory on this section.
Height Climbed: 590m / 1,935ft
Height Descended: 586m / 1,922ft
Terrain: 9.5 miles on rough paths or wet, pathless moorland following waymarker posts; 3.5 miles on single track roads.
After crossing the Sound of Harris – a strong contender for Britain’s most spectacular ferry journey – the little village of Leverburgh is a fine introduction to the Isle of Harris. Established in the early 1920s by the island’s English owner, Lord Leverhulme, Leverburgh was intended to be a major fishing port. His plans never really took off – these days the village makes a welcome stop for visitors with B&Bs, a good restaurant and several shops.
Today’s walk is the toughest of the whole Hebridean Way, with long sections following damp paths or waymarker posts over wet, boggy moorland. The rewards, however, are considerable. Along the way you will pass the spectacular beaches of Scarista, Horgabost and Luskentyre on Harris’s west coast. The island of Taransay and the mountains of North Harris form superb backdrops to the world class views.
The section finishes with a tough little climb up a steep, rocky hill. It’s a tiring ascent but the views of Luskentyre beach and the saltmarsh at Seilebost make an unforgettable end to the day.
The distances and timings above do not include any extra distance you may need to reach your accommodation for the night.
Map & Directions
- On arrival at Leverburgh walk off the ferry and carry straight on past the Anchorage restaurant. Turn right at the T-junction. Toilet & water stop at the ferry waiting room on your right.
- Turn right when you rejoin the main road to the ferry terminal.
- Turn left at a T-junction...
- ...then turn right onto a small road just before you reach Clachan Stores. This community run shop is well stocked and a good place to top up your supplies for the walk.
- The minor road to Finsbay is usually very quiet and is a beautiful walk past Loch Steisebhat and Loch na Moracha. Look out for golden and sea eagles, both of which are often seen along this road.
- After 1 mile (2km) turn left onto the obvious new path.
- Follow this to a bridge over a burn (stream).
- After the bridge the path continues a little way before finishing at a gate. From here the stone surface is replaced by a turf path - the gap between two parallel ditches providing a drier alternative to the surrounding wet moorland.
- It is slow going over the wet ground but the path eventually arrives at a bridge over a small river.
- By now the flattest (and wettest) part of the glen has been left behind and the route starts to climb steadily up towards the bealach (hill pass). From here on the path disappears and reappears; waymarker posts, however, continue to show the way.
- On reaching the high point at the bealach wonderful view of the beach at Northton and the hill Ceapabhal open up ahead. The climb has been worth the effort!
- Descend and cross a small but steep sided burn then go through a small gate in a fence.
- Walk up an obvious heathery ridge for 100m then follow the waymarkers as the route turns sharp right and starts to descend to the road.
- Turn right on reaching the road where easy and very pleasant walking takes you along the shore of the bay at Northton.
- After 1 mile (2km) turn right just before an obvious white house. The route heads straight up the hillside between a wall and a fence.
- Continue in a straight line up the hill until the wall turns left. At this point head up and left, aiming for the waymarker posts in the distance.
- As you gain height the views of the west coast of Harris become more and more spectacular.
- After a steady climb up the field over undulating lazybeds - old cultivation beds - the heathery remains of an old dyke (wall) are reached. The route now follows this dyke for several miles.
- The first 1/2 mile (1km) following the dyke provides very pleasant walking with tremendous views along the coast.
- The heathery line marked out by the dyke continues to show the way across the hillside.
- As you progress north, however, the ground becomes very wet and boggy. Waymarker posts continue to show the route, but the going is wet and strenuous.
- After climbing up and over the shoulder of a small hill the route drops down to the little crofting township of Horgabost. If staying in a B&B here (or camping at the wonderful beach campsite) leave the route and head down the township road.
- Continue following the waymakers up another rocky hillside. At the high point there is a small lochan. Watch out for the next waymarker here as the route turns sharp right.
- Head down the hillside to the obvious new bridge that crosses the Seilebost river.
- After the bridge there is a very steep climb up and over the shoulder of Carran, the final hill on this section.
- Make your way carefully down the hill, following the waymarker posts to the old road at Seilebost. Watch your step as the ground here is wet, overgrown and slippery. Accommodation is sparse around Seilebost, with only one B&B. There is more accommodation options about 3 - 5 miles south. The other option could be to potentially stay an extra night at Leverburgh or go north to Tarbert and use the bus service to pick/drop you off. There is a restaurant about 2 miles south at Nisabost.
Along This Route
Along This Route
Islands: 2 (Berneray, Harris)
Causeways: 0
Ferries: 1
Distance: 13 miles
Route Time: 6…
