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North Harris mountain bike trip and eagle spotting.

By Hugh Stewart May 14, 2017 Leave a Comment

There are only two decent off-road trips on Harris/Lewis, and this one is superb, if you want wilderness, mountain scenery of the highest order, and eagle spotting (golden and sea, if you’re alert). It’s a round trip of nearly 30 miles from Tarbert, therefore could be done between ferries from Skye, but why rush, take your time, there is 4500 ft of climbing, and it took me 5hrs.

Take the road west from Tarbert, turning left on the B887, and at the head of Loch Mhiabhaig go north on a good track for 7km. Just before the impressive cliff of Sron Scourst, tarry a while at the eagle spotting hut. The thing here is that there is a pair of Golden Eagles whose territory is hereabouts, which means you would only see either of them, if you’re lucky, as no other eagles stray into others’ territories. There is better spotting on the descent from Bealach na h Uamha later, where, especially in the mornings, it is no birds’ territory, so all sorts congregate to hunt, usually on the northern ridge. Sea Eagles are very like vultures, wider winged and shorter tailed. An RSPB person does a weekly walk up from near Ardvourlie, and on this, in the morning, we saw dozens of eagles of both types.

At the Loch after 7km, take the track off right just past the fishing lodge. Marked as a path on the map, this is actually a track, not as good as what you’ve arrived on, but rideable all the way if you’re fit enough, except for the first stream crossing. I walked some of the first ascent, and most of the second, from Gleann Langadall. There was a bridge there once, recently washed away, despite the map giving stepping stones. It will be there again soon, this year, according to two men who had been working on it, although the river was not a problem. The descent to the road is fast, so do stop occasionally to see the big birds.

Turn right on the “A” road for home, which involves a fair ascent, at a reasonable gradient, and if you want more off-road, turn left on the minor road to Reinigeadal and do the easy bit of the other Harris MTB loop. As the road curves left take the path, soon becoming a track, boggy in parts but becoming good at the col, which comes out at a “B” road at Urgha, a mile and a half from Tarbert.

The Clisham Ridge from the south.
On the Gleann Mhiabhaig track.
Loch Chleistir
East from Braigh an Iaclachain.
Loch Langabhat from bealach na h Uamha
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: harris.gpx

Filed Under: cycling, Mountain biking

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Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

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Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

Note, this is now fully described in the Second Edition of "Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations", 2014, walk 1b. If the long Langcliffe Scar track does not appeal, but a bit more hillwork does, try this start: as per the book, walk 1, but at the Malham/Settle road turn right … Read More » about Alternative start to the Malham Circular walk

The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

Another plague walk which we could do from home, and although this seems to be a popular walk for locals, we had never done it, and decided to do it both because of that and as we thought it would be less popular and hence less boot-churned muddy than others round Caton and the Bowland Fells. The … Read More » about The Highfields walk, Halton with Aughton.

A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

I.e. avoiding any crowds parking there. Start at Little Cragg car park and go down the road, turning right to go over the top of Baines Crag for your first view of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Fells. At the road go down then left over the first ladder stile and cross the infant Condor by stone or … Read More » about A Clougha Pike circuit, avoiding Rigg Lane.

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