How hard is Oireabhal (Oreval)?

Oireabhal (Oreval) is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 543m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Stalking track in Glen Mhiabhaig, then a vague path along Loch Voshimid before pathless slab-and-bog climbing on the south-west ridge.

Where do I park for Oireabhal (Oreval)?

Standard parking is at NB072122 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Oireabhal (Oreval)?

The standard good-weather months for Oireabhal (Oreval) are May, June, July, August, 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 Oireabhal (Oreval)?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How do I get the ferry to Oireabhal (Oreval)?

Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.

How hard is Oireabhal (Oreval)?

Oireabhal (Oreval) is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 543m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Stalking track in Glen Mhiabhaig, then a vague path along Loch Voshimid before pathless slab-and-bog climbing on the south-west ridge.

Where do I park for Oireabhal (Oreval)?

Standard parking is at NB072122 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Oireabhal (Oreval)?

The standard good-weather months for Oireabhal (Oreval) are May, June, July, August, 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 Oireabhal (Oreval)?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How do I get the ferry to Oireabhal (Oreval)?

Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Colin Park / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Outer Hebrides

Oireabhal (Oreval)

Oireabhal (Oreval) (662m) is a rough Harris peak in the NB00 square, lying inland from the Bunavoneader whaling station above Loch a' Siar. Its rocky top dominates the central spine of North Harris, looking down on Loch Voshimid and west to the Atlantic beyond Tarbert.

Quick facts

Height: 662.2m/ 2173ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 543 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NB083099
Parking: NB072122
Nearest: Ullapool
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

blanket bog 45% · Lewisian gneiss 35% · heather moorland 20%

13km · 543m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Park at the lay-by north of Bunavoneader on the B887 and follow the track east up Gleann Mhiabhaig. Branch north on a fishermen's path toward Loch Voshimid, then strike up onto the south-west ridge through bare gneiss slabs. Pick the cleanest line through the slabs to reach the rocky summit.

Terrain

Stalking track in Glen Mhiabhaig, then a vague path along Loch Voshimid before pathless slab-and-bog climbing on the south-west ridge. Lewisian gneiss makes route-finding among the slabs interesting; many small lochans punctuate the upper plateau.

In winter

Snow on Harris seldom lasts, but when polar maritime air settles the gneiss turns to verglas overnight. Atlantic gales make exposed ridges untenable above force seven; the lochan-strewn plateau is disorienting in any whiteout. Daylight is barely six hours in late December at this latitude.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow6h 31m
Edinburgh6h 9m

Parking: NB072122

Ferry access

Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris)

Crossing time105 min
Summer sailings2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
Winter sailings1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar)
Book ahead14 days
Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable — last sailing to Uig varies seasonally

Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.

Book on CalMac ↗

OS maps: OS Landranger 13, OS Landranger 14

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Harris location; very limited coverage on most networks.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:36
Sunset: 22:14
Civil dawn: 03:30
Civil dusk: 23:20

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Oireabhal (Oreval) on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Tarbert (Harris)

Harris base — Clisham, Luskentyre, Hebridean Way

12km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Isle of Harris

Tarbert (Harris) — new island distillery; also known for the Harris Gin

12km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Oireabhal (Oreval) — common questions

How hard is Oireabhal (Oreval)?: Oireabhal (Oreval) is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 543m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Stalking track in Glen Mhiabhaig, then a vague path along Loch Voshimid before pathless slab-and-bog climbing on the south-west ridge.
Where do I park for Oireabhal (Oreval)?: Standard parking is at NB072122 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Oireabhal (Oreval)?: The standard good-weather months for Oireabhal (Oreval) are May, June, July, August, 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 Oireabhal (Oreval)?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Oireabhal (Oreval)?: Poor. Remote Harris location; very limited coverage on most networks.
How do I get the ferry to Oireabhal (Oreval)?: Uig (Skye) → Tarbert (Harris). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Drive to Uig on Skye (Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh), then ferry to Harris. Alternative: Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis, 2h45) and drive south.
Is Oireabhal (Oreval) safe in winter?: Snow on Harris seldom lasts, but when polar maritime air settles the gneiss turns to verglas overnight. Atlantic gales make exposed ridges untenable above force seven; the lochan-strewn plateau is disorienting in any whiteout. Daylight is barely six hours in late December at this latitude.