Meall a' Ghlas Leothaid, Lochan a' Chleirich and Meall Lochan a' Chleirich Loop

This is a short but surprisingly serious hill circuit in the Gairloch area of Wester Ross, packing rough ground, steep climbing, boggy sections, exposed-feeling traverses, waterfalls, loch views, and two compact rocky summits into roughly 6 km / 3.7 miles with about 400 m / 1,310 ft of ascent. Although the distance looks modest on paper, the terrain makes it feel much bigger, and the “Difficult” rating is justified by the combination of steep gradients, wet ground, intermittent path definition, and sections where care is needed on sloping or rocky ground. The route sits just south of the A832 near Loch Bad an Sgalaig, around 5 miles / 8 km south of Gairloch, with the usual starting point by the parking area opposite the dam and near the old “Red Barn/Green Shed” access point. (jeremyfenton.scot)

The walk begins on estate tracks and waymarked paths through a landscape of lochside moor, regenerating native woodland, and rough rocky hills that rise abruptly from the glen. One of the most distinctive features of the area is the ongoing restoration of native forest: local guidance notes that more than a million native trees, mostly pine, have been planted south of the road, while the lochside still shows ancient pine stumps that hint at the much older Caledonian woodland that once covered these slopes. (jeremyfenton.scot)

What the route feels like on the ground

The first part is comparatively straightforward, following the main track before the route breaks away onto a narrower path. From there, the character changes quickly: the climb up toward Meall a’ Ghlas Leothaid is steep and rough, including a very sharp pull through the trees and up a gully before the angle eases on the ridge. Once on higher ground, the route becomes much more open and scenic, with knobbly, rocky ridge walking and expanding views over Loch Bad an Sgalaig and Dubh Loch. The summit of Meall a’ Ghlas Leothaid has a cairn and view indicator, and despite its modest height it gives a notably wide outlook, with Skye and even Lewis visible in especially clear weather. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

From the first summit, the route continues along the ridge and drops to a bealach before curving into the longer loop section toward Lochan a’ Chleirich and Meall Lochan a’ Chleirich. This middle section is where the walk often feels wilder than its mileage suggests. There are views across to Lochan a’ Chleirich, with Slioch standing out in the distance, and the ground can become soggy and awkward underfoot. The route then crosses moorland and uses bridges over burns near waterfalls and a small gorge. Walkhighlands notes that one older bridge on the original line was washed away, so the current route follows marker posts to an alternative bridge above a waterfall; it also warns that the path beside the gorge crosses steep slopes that some walkers find exposed. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The return section beside Loch Bad an Sgalaig is especially attractive, with deer-fence lines, loch views, waterfalls dropping toward the water, and a final crossing of a low pass between rocky hills before rejoining the outward track. Expect wet boots in poor conditions unless the ground has been dry for a while. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Landmarks, scenery, and wildlife

The standout landmarks are Loch Bad an Sgalaig, Dubh Loch, Lochan a’ Chleirich, the rocky tops of Meall a’ Ghlas Leothaid and Meall Lochan a’ Chleirich, and the falls and gorge on the return leg. The surrounding hills are often described as “mountains in miniature” because they are only around 330–400 m high yet feel rugged, rocky, and much more dramatic than their elevations suggest. A local Gairloch guide specifically places Meall Lochan a’ Chleirich and Meall a’ Ghlas-Leothaid among these small-scale but challenging hills. (jeremyfenton.scot)

Nature is a major part of the walk. The regenerating pinewoods and remnants of ancient pine along the loch are among the most distinctive ecological features,