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North Harris mountain bike trip and eagle spotting.

By Hugh Stewart May 14, 2017 Leave a Comment

There are only two decent off-road trips on Harris/Lewis, and this one is superb, if you want wilderness, mountain scenery of the highest order, and eagle spotting (golden and sea, if you’re alert). It’s a round trip of nearly 30 miles from Tarbert, therefore could be done between ferries from Skye, but why rush, take your time, there is 4500 ft of climbing, and it took me 5hrs.

Take the road west from Tarbert, turning left on the B887, and at the head of Loch Mhiabhaig go north on a good track for 7km. Just before the impressive cliff of Sron Scourst, tarry a while at the eagle spotting hut. The thing here is that there is a pair of Golden Eagles whose territory is hereabouts, which means you would only see either of them, if you’re lucky, as no other eagles stray into others’ territories. There is better spotting on the descent from Bealach na h Uamha later, where, especially in the mornings, it is no birds’ territory, so all sorts congregate to hunt, usually on the northern ridge. Sea Eagles are very like vultures, wider winged and shorter tailed. An RSPB person does a weekly walk up from near Ardvourlie, and on this, in the morning, we saw dozens of eagles of both types.

At the Loch after 7km, take the track off right just past the fishing lodge. Marked as a path on the map, this is actually a track, not as good as what you’ve arrived on, but rideable all the way if you’re fit enough, except for the first stream crossing. I walked some of the first ascent, and most of the second, from Gleann Langadall. There was a bridge there once, recently washed away, despite the map giving stepping stones. It will be there again soon, this year, according to two men who had been working on it, although the river was not a problem. The descent to the road is fast, so do stop occasionally to see the big birds.

Turn right on the “A” road for home, which involves a fair ascent, at a reasonable gradient, and if you want more off-road, turn left on the minor road to Reinigeadal and do the easy bit of the other Harris MTB loop. As the road curves left take the path, soon becoming a track, boggy in parts but becoming good at the col, which comes out at a “B” road at Urgha, a mile and a half from Tarbert.

The Clisham Ridge from the south.
On the Gleann Mhiabhaig track.
Loch Chleistir
East from Braigh an Iaclachain.
Loch Langabhat from bealach na h Uamha
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: harris.gpx

Filed Under: cycling, Mountain biking

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Hillwalks from the Settle to Carlisle Railway Stations

24 walks into the hills surrounding the historic and iconic Settle to Carlisle railway, based on the stations between Settle and Appleby. The area has some of the finest walking of the north Pennines: the Craven district around Settle; the Three Peaks area; Dentdale, and Mallerstang and the upper Eden valley.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Mountain Biking Adventures: Multi-day Routes in Northern Britain

Over the last two decades, mountain biking has developed enormously as a “sport”. We greatly admire the technical and athletic capabilities of modern day mountain bikers and recognise that many excellent guides have been written and custom-built trails set up. In this guide we try to reopen a sense of adventure and wilderness to mountain biking, providing multi-day routes with a remoteness, continuity and “arc” missing from many modern guides with their focus on day and half day outings.

UK £13.95 ( inc. P&P)

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Settle to Carlisle – Hill Walk with Return by Classic Train Route

With over 22,000 ft of ascent in 105 miles set out over 8 days, this walk sets out from Settle, taking in the classic summits of the North Yorkshire Dales, Howgills, Eastern and Northern Lakeland Fells, to arrive at Carlisle. The return journey to Settle by one of the classic train journeys. Illustrated with photographs and route maps.

£12.95 (P&P may apply)

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Path mended on Great Shunner Fell walk.

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An Upper Swaledale round from Muker

This lovely 8 mile walk is best done in early to mid-June when the Muker meadows, and to a lesser extent the Ivelet to Muker meadows, are full of wildflowers. Starting in Muker, find the path through the village which leads onto the meadows. It is not signed so be careful. Go through the delightful

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Scafell Pike from Wasdale, without the crowds. (Mostly.)

A glorious friday in early June, the last weekday of the Whitsun holidays. I wanted to see what Piers Gill was like, as my late mother told me once that she had been cajoled by my father to take me and my one older and one younger brothers (aged maybe 3 to 7) up the Pike, but went wrong in bad

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