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A fine wee
hill, with a popularity out of proportion to its height of 613m. Take
the A835 north out of Ullapool and turn left for Achiltibuie and the Summer
Isles after about 16km. An Inverpolly Nature Reserve Car Park lies on
the lochside of the road under the hedgehog ridge that is the feature
of this short walk. It is suitable for a morning or afternoon, or even
an evening if you have just arrived in this area and wish to both stretch
your legs and see what's on offer!
The hill
has been so popular that the steep path up loose slopes became badly eroded.
Much work has contained this damage however and in fact Stac Pollaidh
is one of the few hills circumnavigated by a path at height! Cross the
road, go through a gate and head up the obvious path. Where it splits,
you may go left or right depending, possibly, on the wind direction or
a personal whim. Both ways lead round the mountain and onto its north
flank, leading to below the col at about midway along the ridge.
A final
steep ascent takes you to the summit ridge. Even from here, the views
are great, with Ben More Coigach to the south across Loch Lurgainn and
Cul Mor, Cul Beag, Suilven Canisp and Quinag to the north. The spiky ridge
of Stac Pollaidh is formed from eroded layers of Torridonian sandstone,
ground down over the millennia into a wonderful collection of towers,
ridges and pinnacles. The path is very clear, winding its way in and out
of these towers and leading to the top of a gully near to the west end.
The direct
exit out of this gully is exposed and awkward but an easier way may be
found starting a few metres down the gully on the south side. Once out
on the ridge again, the summit is just a little way further.
Descent is
via the same route and once back at the col and descending to the encircling
path, you may care to return in either direction.
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