Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the small car park at the end of the public road from Lochinver towards Glencanisp Lodge. It follows the private road along the north shore of Loch Druim Suardalain, passes behind the lodge and takes a rough track east across rocky, undulating moorland, past the turning for Suileag bothy and beside the Abhainn na Clach Airigh. Beyond a bridge a well-made path turns off towards Suilven, passes Loch a' Choire Dhuibh and climbs a steep, grassy gully in zigzags to the Bealach Mòr, the nick in the ridge. The route turns west along the ridge to the summit of Caisteal Liath. The return is the same way.
It is 20.1 km with 804 m of ascent; allow about 7¼ hours. The grade is Hard: a long day, with a very steep climb to the ridge.
The gully is a steep walk rather than a scramble, but it needs care, especially coming down in the wet. The ridge to Caisteal Liath is narrow in places, with a little very easy scrambling. From the bealach the view opens suddenly south to Stac Pollaidh. Glencanisp Lodge and the estate belong to the community through the Assynt Foundation; there are no stalking restrictions on Suilven.
Parking is free but limited; if it is full, walk up from Lochinver. There is no station nearby.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Suilven's long ridge rises alone out of the Assynt moorland; from Lochinver only its western dome, Caisteal Liath, shows
- The walk-in passes Glencanisp Lodge, owned by the community through the Assynt Foundation
- The path from the track to the ridge was rebuilt by the John Muir Trust and the Assynt Foundation
Summits on the way
- Suilven 731 m
Getting there
Start: Loch Druim Suardalain car park, Glencanisp road · Free parking. 58.14614, -5.21744
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Loch Druim Suardalain car park: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
