Lochannan Lacasdail, Loch Trolamaraig and Loch Maraig Loop

This 18 km (11.2 mile) loop in North Harris is a big, varied day that links inland lochans, old hill tracks, a dramatic coastal section above Loch Trolamaraig, and the quieter road-and-path return by Loch Maraig. With around 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of ascent, it is best treated as a solid medium-to-challenging outing rather than a casual lochside stroll, especially if the ground is wet or the wind is strong. The route is generally associated with the Urgha/Lacasdail area near Tarbert, and the most practical start is the small parking area by the bridge over the Lacasdail lochs on the road between Tarbert and Scalpay, close to Urgha Beag. Older route notes describe the car park as being on the east side of the bridge across the Lacasdal lochs, and ScotWays places the western end of the old post road at the public road near Lacasdail, about 700 m east of Urgha Beag. (visitouterhebrides.co.uk)

From the outset, expect a steady sense of remoteness. The landscape here is classic Harris: rock, moor, water, and sea all pressed tightly together, with very little shelter once you leave the road. The opening section around Lochannan Lacasdail is gentler in character than the later coastal traverse, with lochside tracks and rougher moorland paths giving you time to settle into the day. North Harris Trust notes that Lochannan Lacasdail is part of its maintained footpath network, and the lochs themselves form a cluster of interconnected freshwater waters on the southern side of North Harris. (north-harris.org)

Terrain and route character

Although the overall difficulty is often estimated as medium, the character of the ground is what makes this route demanding in places. You are likely to encounter a mix of estate track, constructed hill path, rough footpath, wet moor, rocky sections, and short steep descents and climbs. The most serious terrain comes on the old route toward Loch Trolamaraig, where the path drops by the zigzags of the Sgriob to the head of the sea loch. Local route notes specifically warn that this descent is steep and needs caution, particularly when wet grass becomes slippery. (visitouterhebrides.co.uk)

A useful way to think about the day is in stages. The first few kilometres are about gaining height and moving through the Lacasdail lochs country. The middle section is the visual highlight, with the dramatic descent toward Loch Trolamaraig and the traverse near the shore. The final third uses the road and then a signed footpath around Loch Maraig and back toward the head of Loch Lacasdail, where the route reconnects with older inland tracks. Visit Outer Hebrides describes this circular outing as using the old postman’s path to Reinigeadal, then returning along the road and footpath by Loch Maraig. (visitouterhebrides.co.uk)

Landmarks, scenery, and what to watch for

The standout landmark is Loch Trolamaraig itself, a narrow sea loch hemmed in by steep slopes. The descent opens wide views over Reinigeadal, Loch Seaforth, the Pairc hills of Lewis, and, on a clear day, the Shiant Islands and mountains of mainland Scotland. Those views are specifically noted in local route descriptions and are one of the reasons this walk feels much bigger than its mileage suggests. (visitouterhebrides.co.uk)

Near the head of Loch Trolamaraig, look for the waterfall where Abhainn Cheann a’ Locha drops into the valley. The vegetation also changes noticeably here: route notes describe ferns, primroses, violets, willow, aspen, honeysuckle, foxglove, and woodrush in the more sheltered ground around the burn and valley head. That contrast between bare upper slopes and greener, more sheltered ravines is one of the most distinctive natural features of the walk. (visitouterhebrides.co.uk)

Farther on, the route passes the ruined houses of Gearraidh Lotaigear, an abandoned settlement on the way toward Reinigeadal. These ruins are not just scenic; they are part of the human story of Harris, showing how people once