Walking In Assynt’s Iconic Hills
Our guest blog from NC500 Pods is full of great tips to help plan your Assynt hillwalking adventure!
The Assynt landscape is rugged but beautiful, and quite unique with mountains emerging sporadically from sea level in the rolling Assynt wilderness. This creates dramatic, jaw-dropping and largely unrestricted vistas from any mountain summit. Walking in Assynt can be truly magical!
Milky Way Above Suilven’s Summit by Craig McDearmid Photography
Inspiring Mountains
Lochinver is the nearest North Coast 500 town to these hills. It is also the starting point for the hike to Suilven. Located just 3 miles from Lochinver, NC500 Pods are just beside beautiful Achmelvich beach. They are a great option for those wishing to make their own Assynt hillwalking base camp.
The pods are named after four of our favourite Assynt mountains and in this blog we’ll give a brief overview of each hill and provide links to more detailed info.
Maybe you’ve already climbed, photographed or painted these mountains. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to? Possibly you’ve never even heard of these alluring hills. Either way, we’ve put together some info to help you plan your own Assynt hillwalking adventure.
Suilven
Suilven is probably the most recognisable mountain in Scotland due to its unique shape. It is quite dinky compared to most famous Scottish mountains, being only a Graham (between 2000-2500 ft [609.6–762.0m]). Despite this small stature, walking Suilven is no small achievement. Not accessible by car, you must trek several miles of Assynt wilderness just to reach the base of the mountain. This only adds to the mountain’s mystic and allure.
Sculpted by glacial erosion, Suilven’s outline is a standout feature of the Assynt landscape. In addition the mountain is geographically situated in the middle of the other hills on our list and Achmelvich beach. Therefore, any conceivable view of it can be had. It’s no wonder then that so many incredible photos and paintings of Suilven have been produced over the years.
If you’re planning on walking in Assynt and want to know more about Suilven, visit NC500 Pods’ full Suilven blog.
Suilven Ridge by Lochinver Landscapes
Quinag
Quinag is a belter of a walk. Three corbet height hills on a Y-shaped ridge, great views in every direction and only 20 mins drive to/from NC500 Pods. The tallest of the three peaks stands at 808m, providing an excellent platform to view Suilven, Canisp and the coastline to the west and north.
Whether you are new to hillwalking or an experienced hiker, this is a long, challenging walk. However, Quinag is also a very rewarding mountain to conquer.
Would Quinag be part of your NC500 walking holiday? Click here to read NC500 Pods’ full Quinag blog.
Quinag Ridge by Lochinver Landscapes
Stac Pollaidh
Another icon of both Assynt and Scotland, Stac Pollaidh has something for everyone.
At just over 2000 ft (612m) Stac Pollaidh is classed as a Graham. In other words, it doesn’t take too long to climb. If you are looking to get into hillwalking, this is great place to start. Some technical pinnacles at the top offer something for the ‘pros’ too.
Great views and a choice of routes both up/down the mountain and to/from our pods. This is a great hill to experience on a trip to Assynt.
If you’re planning on walking in Assynt and want to know more about Stac Pollaidh, read NC500 Pods’ full Stac Pollaidh blog.
Stac Pollaidh by Lochinver Landscapes
Canisp
The mightiest hill on our list, Canisp stands at 847m tall. The White Mountain is a tough, long walk and like the others on our list has some exceptional views.
This hill is often overlooked in favour of its famous neighbours, but it has much to offer and is reached by an easy drive from NC500 Pods.
Would Canisp be part of your NC500 walking holiday? Click here to read NC500 Pods’ full Canisp blog.
Canisp by Lochinver Landscapes
We really hope you’ll consider an NC500 walking holiday and nice comfortable stay in one of our pods.
Thanks to Lochinver Landscapes for the use of their photographs. To see more of their amazing images of Assynt mountains, beaches & landscapes, please visit their Facebook page.
