Loch Achal and Meall Liath Choire from Ullapool

This is a long, varied Highland outing of about 22 km / 13.7 miles with roughly 500 m / 1,640 ft of ascent, linking Ullapool’s waterfront with the quieter inland country around Loch Achall and the broad shoulder of Meall Liath Choire. Expect a route that changes character several times: village streets and signed paths at the start, steeper hill ground above town, estate tracks and lochside sections farther in, and more open, rougher upland terrain as the walk reaches the higher ground beyond Loch Achall. The overall difficulty sits well in the medium bracket, but that assumes decent fitness, steady pacing, and comfort with a fairly long day on mixed surfaces. Parts of the lower route are clear and straightforward, while the higher ground can feel much more exposed and committing, especially if cloud drops or the wind strengthens. The established local walking network above Ullapool and the route out toward Loch Achall are well known, with the loch lying about 3 km / 1.9 miles northeast of Ullapool and Meall Liath Choire rising above its northeastern side. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The practical start point is Ullapool town centre, most commonly around the Clock Tower/harbour area or the large public parking area beside Tesco on Latheron Lane, both of which are used as access points for the signed paths leading up toward Ullapool Hill and onward toward Loch Achall. If you are converting the vague trailhead information into a recognisable place, the nearest significant landmark is Ullapool town centre near the Clock Tower and harbour, with the Tesco car park on Latheron Lane, Ullapool, also serving as a convenient parking and walk-in start. Walkhighlands gives the start for the Loch Achall route as Ullapool town centre at grid reference NH125942, and the local Ullapool walking guide describes the Ullapool Hill path beginning from the Clock Tower via Argyle Street and North Road. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Getting there is relatively simple by Highland standards. By car, Ullapool is reached from Inverness via the A835, and once in town you can park in the central public car park beside Tesco or use other village parking as available. By public transport, Ullapool has regular bus links from Inverness and some surrounding communities, and current journey planning and live timetable information is provided through Stagecoach’s journey planner and timetables pages. Because services can change seasonally or operationally, it is worth checking the latest departure times before setting out, especially if you are planning a same-day return after a long walk. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The opening section usually climbs out of Ullapool on the Ullapool Hill path. This first part is a good warm-up but not a gentle one: the path is well defined, yet it becomes rocky, uneven, and potentially slippery in wet weather, with some steeper pitches as height is gained above the village. The reward comes quickly in the form of expanding views over Loch Broom, the harbour, and the surrounding mountains. The local route notes mention benches and a mountain indicator board, which make useful pause points before the walk leaves the immediate village setting behind. If your full route includes the higher extension toward Meall Liath Choire, this early climb is only the first stage of the day, so it is worth resisting the temptation to burn too much energy here. (ullapool.com)

Terrain and route character

Beyond the first hill path, the walk settles into a more spacious Highland rhythm. The ground transitions through heathery moorland, gates, estate tracks, and the road and track system around Loch Achall. The standard Loch Achall circuit uses clear paths, track, and minor road, and passes woodland, open moor, the loch shore, and the Ullapool River. On a longer variation that continues toward Meall Liath Choire, expect the route to become rougher and more upland in feel, with less shelter and a greater need