Walk: Stac Pollaidh pocketed

📌 Coigach, Highland
★★★★★

Of all the monolithic Coigach and Assynt summits, Stac Pollaidh perhaps has one of the most distinctive profiles: an endearingly spiky spine of Torridon sandstone above the north shore of Loch Lurgainn. It’s also one of the region’s most popular hill walks, with a well-constructed path leading up to a low point on the ridge. From there, you have the option of a fairly straightforward route up to the lower, east top, or a series of more serious scrambles to attain the true, western summit; if attempting the latter option, the long photo roll and “route in detail” section below might help with finding the easiest scrambling line. Whichever your objective, the outlook across to Suilven, Cùl Mòr and the other Assynt giants is nothing short of spectacular on a clear day.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish on unclassified road on north side of Loch Lurgainn, 5 mi northwest of A835 junction

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NC 107095

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.034545,-5.207329

🚌 Infrequent bus stops at car park

🚗 Car park (gets full)

📝 Key info

▶ 5 km / 3 mi | ▲ 630 m | ⌛3-3.5 hr

Features: △ Stac Pollaidh (612 m, Torbett)

⬤ Very tough, or ⬤⬤ Moderate to Tough with true (west) summit omitted | Generally well-built hill paths around base of hill, with steep ascent to bealach between east & west summits. Lower (east) summit has a rocky final ascent but no scrambling required. Higher (west) summit involves several rocky scrambles with some exposure, especially tricky if ground is wet or the easiest route isn’t found.

➡️ Anticlockwise circuit with extension to east & west summits: start – path around east side of hill – fork left at junction, 🧭 NC 113105 – bealach between east & west summits – out-and-back detour to east summit – out-and-back detour to west summit – return to lower path junction – return to start around west side of hill

🔍 Route in detail

1. Cross the road from the car park, pass through a gate and ascend steeply on a forest path. Ignore a path to the left (which is used on return). The route soon leaves the trees, exiting the fenced area through another gate.

2. The path continues to climb towards the right (east) side of Stac Pollaidh, then begins to pass around the back of the hill with superb views opening up towards Cùl Mòr and Suilven to the north. Keep left at an obvious fork; the path now climbs more steeply to a bealach on the main ridge.

3. From the bealach, attain the east (lower) summit by turning left. The short path up to this summit cairn has a rockier section but hands should generally not be required in dry weather. Return to the bealach.

4. The optional ascent to the west (true) summit involves several short scrambles with some exposure. Great care should be taken especially if the ground is at all wet, and finding the easiest line can be tricky. The notes below are intended as rough guidance but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If omitting this summit, skip to Stage 7. Otherwise, from the bealach, now facing west along the ridge, start by keeping to the left of the ridge on a well-worn path. Pass well beyond the obvious outcropping platform to the left of the path (shown from above in photo 12, with an obvious path out to it), then scramble easily up the gully on the right (photo 13) to gain the ridge.

5. Follow the ridge, with a short but slightly awkward scramble down to a notch in the ridge at one point (photo 15 & 16). The easiest route then keeps slightly right of the ridge for a time (photo 15 & 17-18) before heading back to the crest (photo 19), eventually accessing a prominent cairn to the left which directly overlooks the true summit beyond a sheer dropoff (photos 20-22).

6. From the dead-end cairn, return to the ridge; the way ahead is soon blocked by a rock wall beyond another notch (photo 23). This is most easily climbed by descending the gully to the left for a few metres to reach a slab of rock which slopes into the rock face, mostly limiting any exposure (visible at foot of photo 23, about 25% of the way across). Shimmy up this slab (photo 24), emerging on the broader final summit outcrop (photo 25). The true summit is a short distance beyond. After enjoying the view, return to the bealach described at the end of Stage 2.

7. From the bealach, descend by the path you ascended by for approx. 200 metres (there is a shortcut for this section but it appeared to be eroding heavily on our visit), then turn sharply left to continue the traverse around the north side of the hill. The clear path climbs a little before descending again with views of a lochan nearby to the right. The path bends left around the west face of the hill, descending south then southeast. Eventually the outward route is regained not far above the car park.

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🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Cuckoos heard, stonechats, hairy caterpillar.

Weather: Sunny, gentle breeze with temperature climbing to 20°C at car park by midday.

May 2024