Meall a' Ghlas Leothaid

This medium-difficulty outing on Meall a’ Ghlas Leothaid is a short but characterful hill walk in the Gairloch area of Wester Ross, giving a fine taste of the rugged northwest Highlands without committing you to a full mountain day. Although your details suggest a route of around 4 km, the commonly described circuit here is closer to 4.5 km / 2.8 miles, with about 200 m / 656 ft of ascent; some published versions are a little longer depending on exactly where you join and leave the marked paths. The hill itself rises to about 342 m / 1,122 ft, and the route is generally considered moderate because the distance is short but the ground can be rough, steep, and boggy in places. (jeremyfenton.scot)

The walk starts near the well-known Green Shed / Red Barn parking area beside Loch Bad an Sgalaig, east of the loch and south of the A832 near Kerrysdale, Gairloch, Highland, Scotland. That is the nearest clear landmark and access point associated with this route. Walkhighlands gives the start as a car park by a large shed about 500 m east of Loch Bad an Sgalaig at grid reference NG856720, while the local Gairloch guide describes the same place as parking alongside Loch Bad an Sgalaig by the “Green Shed,” also known historically as the Red Barn or Red Stable. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Getting there by car is the simplest option. From Gairloch, follow the A832 south toward Kerrysdale and look for the parking area by the Green Shed near the dam and lochside access. The local guide identifies this as a base for several walks in the area, including the Meall a’ Ghlas Leothaid circuit. Public transport is possible but limited: Walkhighlands notes the Inverness–Gairloch bus service, so hikers using public transport would typically travel to Gairloch or a nearby stop on the A832 and then arrange the final approach on foot or by local taxi, depending on the exact bus stop and timetable on the day. Because services in Wester Ross can be infrequent, it is wise to check current schedules carefully before setting out. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

What the route is like

From the parking area, the route begins on a track opposite the shed, passing an information point and crossing the outflow from Am Feur-loch before entering the Bad na Sgalag native pinewood. The opening section is fairly gentle, but the character changes quickly once the route leaves the main track and turns onto a faint path through the trees. After roughly 0.7 to 0.8 km / 0.4 to 0.5 miles, the climb steepens noticeably, with a rough pull up a gully and onto the ridge. This is where the walk earns its medium rating: the ascent is short, but it is direct, and the ground can be uneven underfoot. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Once on the ridge, the walking becomes more open and rewarding. The path threads over knobbly, rocky ground, passes a tiny lochan, and continues to the cairn on the summit of Meall a’ Ghlas Leothaid. From the top, the views are much bigger than the hill’s modest height suggests, taking in Loch Bad na Sgalaig, Dubh Loch, the coast, and on a very clear day even out toward Skye and Lewis. This elevated section is the highlight of the route and the main reason the hill is so popular as a short outing near Gairloch. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Beyond the summit, the route continues along the ridge before descending toward lower ground and rejoining the main path system. Some versions of the walk can be shortened here, but the full circuit gives a better sense of the surrounding lochs, regenerating woodland, and rough Highland terrain. Expect a mix of narrow paths, rough hill sections, wet patches, and occasional bog. Walkhighlands specifically notes many boggy sections and mentions that one gorge section on the longer circuit can feel slightly airy to some walkers, so even on a short day it is worth wearing proper waterproof footwear with good grip. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Landmarks, landscape, and wildlife

One of the most distinctive features of this walk is the Bad na Sgalag pinewood, an area of replanted and regenerating native woodland. Walkhighlands notes that over a million native trees have been planted across the estate, while the Gairloch guide says the planting south of the road was completed in 1997