Scotland’s Highlands are a true hiker’s paradise, offering countless stunning vistas. In the northwest of Scotland, in the Assynt district, you’ll find a particularly remarkable hike: the ascent to Stac Pollaidh, or as it’s affectionately known in Scotland, Stac Polly. For us, this hike was indeed the most beautiful on our two-week journey through Scotland. The views throughout the hike are fantastic, and it’s not as crowded as some of the more well-known hikes on the Isle of Skye.
In this blog post, you’ll find a clear hiking guide with all the information you need to fully enjoy the hike. So, lace up your hiking boots and let’s get started.
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At a Glance: Hiking Guide for One of the Most Beautiful Hikes in Scotland's Highlands
- Starting Point & Endpoint: parking lot at the base of Stac Polly
- Parking fees free of charge
- Public transport: From Ullapool you can take the bus number 811 to Stac Pollaidh Car park in around 30 minutes
- distance: 4.25 km (2,64 miles) Circular Trail
- duration: 2 -3 hours (without breaks)
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 440 meters (1444 feet)
weather:
You can find the weather in the Stac Pollaidh area here.
refreshment options: None directly on the hike. However, various options like The Dipping Lugger or the Seafood Shack are located half an hour away in Ullapool
The steep ascent to Stac Pollaidh
Our hike begins opposite the parking lot at the base of Stac Pollaidh. The parking lot is small, and this hike is no longer a hidden gem among locals. As a result, the parking lot can get quite crowded, especially on sunny weekends. Therefore, it’s advisable to start your hike early rather than arriving around noon.
The ascent to Stac Pollaidh is straightforward, following a well-marked trail of large stones that leads upward. Throughout the ascent, you’ll have Stac Pollaidh in your clear view. The hike to the first plateau takes about an hour, making it relatively short, but the breathtaking views of Loch Lurgainn are sure to tempt you into taking more than a few photo breaks along the way.
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Summit Bliss with Spectacular Views in Scotland's Highlands
The hiking trail eventually veers to the left around the mountain, offering even more stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. At this point, you have several options to access different areas of the summit. We’ll describe the easiest accessible route for you. This path ascends steeply on the backside of the mountain. While there’s some climbing involved and it’s crucial to have solid footing, the passage is not excessively challenging
If you’re up for some real climbing, you can still ascend to the other two summit areas from here, but the view is already fantastic in the middle section.
Circular Hiking Trail Around Stac Polly
To return to your starting point, follow the circular hiking trail after descending from the summit. This trail encircles Stac Pollaidh and leads back to the parking lot through sometimes muddy paths. It’s worth noting that this part of the hike is less scenic than the ascent, and the trail is not as well-maintained. Alternatively, you can retrace your steps on the same path you took to reach this point.
If you’ve enjoyed this hiking guide and are looking for more hikes with spectacular views in Scotland, you might want to check out this blog post:
Where to stay near Stac Pollaidh?
Are you still looking for a place to stay near Stac Pollaidh? Check it out here (* affiliate link).
Wild Camping in Scotland's Highlands near Stac Pollaidh
We traveled around Scotland in a motorhome and stayed overnight in the parking lot at Stac Pollaidh before starting our hike the next morning. The northwestern region of Scotland, where Stac Polly is situated, is relatively remote and less developed than other areas in Scotland. As a result, free camping with a motorhome or traditional wild camping with a tent is more accessible here compared to other parts of Scotland.
Alternatively, you can also visit one of the following campgrounds. These sites are located approximately 20-60 minutes away from Stac Pollaidh’s parking lot.
Our hike to Stac Pollaidh was undeniably one of the most stunning experiences we’ve had in the Scottish Highlands. If you’re looking for additional travel tips and inspiring itineraries to enhance your Scottish adventure, we invite you to explore these posts:
