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
- Prominence
- 419 m
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 543 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NB083099
- Parking
- NB072122
- Nearest
- Ullapool
- 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
blanket bog 45% · Lewisian gneiss 35% · heather moorland 20%
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
Getting there
- Glasgow6h 31m
- Edinburgh6h 9m
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 most networks barely reach.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:45
- Sunset
- 22:22
- Civil dawn
- 03:39
- Civil dusk
- 23:28
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Around Oireabhal (Oreval) on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Oireabhal (Oreval) — common questions
- Is Oireabhal (Oreval) a hard climb?
- 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. Underfoot: Stalking track in Glen Mhiabhaig, then a vague path along Loch Voshimid before pathless slab-and-bog climbing on the south-west ridge.
- What is Oireabhal (Oreval)'s prominence?
- 419m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Oireabhal (Oreval) to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Oireabhal (Oreval)?
- Most walkers start from NB072122 near Ullapool. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Oireabhal (Oreval)?
- May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Oireabhal (Oreval). Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Oireabhal (Oreval) dog-friendly?
- 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 most networks barely reach.
- 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.
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