Graham · Reay Forest
Ben Stack
Ben Stack is the perfect cone that rises alone above Loch Stack in the far north-west of Sutherland, south-east of Laxford Bridge. It is the shapeliest of the Reay Forest hills — a steep little Graham that punches far above its 721m for effort and reward, with a summit view over the quartzite wilderness of Arkle, Foinaven and Quinag and west to the Atlantic and the scattered lochans of the Flow Country edge. A short day, but a properly mountain one.
Quick facts
- Height
- 721m/ 2365ft
- Prominence
- 531 m
- Distance
- 6.5 km
- Ascent
- 620 m
- Time
- 3–4.5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NC269422
- Nearest
- Achfary
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
bog 30% · faint path 25% · steep rock 35% · summit 10%
The standard route starts from a layby on the A838 near Achfary, at the south-east end of the hill. A track leads off towards a telecoms mast; leave it and cross boggy, pathless ground to gain the long east ridge of Leathad na Stioma. A faint path then follows the steepening rocky spine directly to the summit. Around 6.5km return with roughly 620m of ascent; allow 3–4½ hours. A steeper alternative climbs from near Lochstack Lodge on the north-west side.
Terrain
Boggy, trackless ground for the first section off the road, then a faint path up a steep, rocky ridge. The spine is straightforward in dry conditions but has some easy hands-on steps and gets greasy in the wet. Short, but steeper and rockier underfoot than the modest height suggests.
In winter
A serious little hill in winter despite its height — the rocky upper spine holds snow and ice and the far-north access along the A838 can be slow in poor weather. Full winter kit and an early start; daylight is very short here in midwinter.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 45m
- Edinburgh6h 0m
OS maps: OS Explorer 445, OS Landranger 9
Mobile signal: Patchy along the A838; little or none on the upper ridge.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:21
- Sunset
- 21:30
- Civil dawn
- 04:29
- Civil dusk
- 22:22
NOAA Solar Calculator · 6 August 2026
Around Ben Stack on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ben Stack — common questions
- What difficulty is Ben Stack?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Ben Stack comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Expect roughly 6.5km and 620m of ascent on the usual route — 3-4.5 hours for most parties. Terrain: Boggy, trackless ground for the first section off the road, then a faint path up a steep, rocky ridge.
- How prominent is Ben Stack?
- Ben Stack has 531m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- When should I climb Ben Stack?
- The standard good-weather months for Ben Stack are May, June, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Ben Stack?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Ben Stack?
- Patchy along the A838; little or none on the upper ridge.
- Is Ben Stack safe in winter?
- A serious little hill in winter despite its height — the rocky upper spine holds snow and ice and the far-north access along the A838 can be slow in poor weather. Full winter kit and an early start; daylight is very short here in midwinter.
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