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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Cracabhal [Cracaval]
Cracabhal stands at 514m in the cluster of Uig hills south of Mealaisbhal, its broad summit ridge holding lochans even in dry summers. The hill's south flank falls towards the empty country around Loch Hamnaway, one of the loneliest inland views in Britain.
Quick facts
- Height
- 514m/ 1686ft
- Prominence
- 221 m
- Grid ref
- NB 02971 25281
- 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
Lewisian gneiss 45% · blanket bog 35% · rocky summit 20%
Most parties tackle Cracabhal as part of a horseshoe with Mealaisbhal and Tathabhal, taking 6-8 hours. A direct ascent from Glen Valtos requires 4-5 hours over rough trackless ground; expect plenty of careful map work.
Terrain
Stepped gneiss outcrops, bog cotton and peat-stained pools on the broad summit plateau. Lower slopes are rough heather and tussock. No constructed paths anywhere on the hill.
In winter
A wet, wind-flayed hill in winter rather than a snowy one. Lochans and bogs freeze unreliably and can be a hazard in cloud. Late spring offers the firmest ground.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 18m
- Edinburgh11h 27m
Ferry access
Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis)
- Crossing time165 min
- Summer sailings2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
- Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable
Allow 1–2 hours drive from Stornoway to reach the Harris hills. For South Harris hills, Uig → Tarbert may be more convenient.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 13, OS Explorer 458
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Harris/Lewis; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:55
- Sunset
- 19:53
- Civil dawn
- 06:15
- Civil dusk
- 20:33
NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026
Around Cracabhal [Cracaval] on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Cracabhal [Cracaval] — common questions
- Is Cracabhal [Cracaval] a hard climb?
- Cracabhal [Cracaval] is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Stepped gneiss outcrops, bog cotton and peat-stained pools on the broad summit plateau.
- What is Cracabhal [Cracaval]'s prominence?
- 221m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Cracabhal [Cracaval] to the next higher ground. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
- When is the best time to climb Cracabhal [Cracaval]?
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Cracabhal [Cracaval]. 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 Cracabhal [Cracaval] 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 Cracabhal [Cracaval]?
- Poor. Remote Harris/Lewis; limited coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Cracabhal [Cracaval]?
- Ullapool → Stornoway (Lewis). 2 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 1 sailing daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. Allow 1–2 hours drive from Stornoway to reach the Harris hills. For South Harris hills, Uig → Tarbert may be more convenient.
- Is Cracabhal [Cracaval] safe in winter?
- A wet, wind-flayed hill in winter rather than a snowy one. Lochans and bogs freeze unreliably and can be a hazard in cloud. Late spring offers the firmest ground.
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