How hard is Maovally?

We grade Maovally at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Ground conditions: Classic knock-and-lochan terrain — small rock domes separated by waterlogged hollows, with no continuous path.

How much drop does Maovally have?

The drop is 199m: measured from the summit of Maovally down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Maovally?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Maovally. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Maovally?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · North-West Highlands

Maovally

Maovally is the pale quartzite cap rising above the Rhiconich-to-Kinlochbervie road on the edge of the Reay Forest. The NC 37 21 square lies within sight of Foinaven and Arkle, and the hill is a fine viewpoint for the entire Cape Wrath peninsula.

Quick facts

Height: 511m/ 1677ft
Prominence: 199 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NC 37820 21196
Nearest city: Inverness· 81km
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 55% · heather moorland 30% · rocky summit 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Park at the Achriesgill road end (NC 25 54) or set out from the A838 layby near Loch Garbet Beag. A trackless ascent of the west flank crosses cnocan country and steepens onto the quartzite summit ridge. About 9 km return with 500m of climb.

Terrain

Classic knock-and-lochan terrain — small rock domes separated by waterlogged hollows, with no continuous path. The summit ridge is bare quartzite scree, loose underfoot but mercifully drier than the approach.

In winter

In a north-westerly the hill catches the brunt of Atlantic squalls and rime ice forms on the scree. Snow does not lie long but verglas on quartzite slabs is a real hazard; pick a settled cold spell.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Maovally. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow6h 4m
Edinburgh7h 59m

OS maps: OS Landranger 16, OS Explorer 440N

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote north Sutherland coast area; all networks fail on this hill.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 18mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:46
Sunset: 19:44
Civil dawn: 06:06
Civil dusk: 20:24

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Maovally on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Lairg station

Central Sutherland; Ben Klibreck approach; gateway to Far North inland

26km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Lochinver

Assynt base — Suilven, Cul Mor, Quinag

29km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Maovally — common questions

How hard is Maovally?: We grade Maovally at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Ground conditions: Classic knock-and-lochan terrain — small rock domes separated by waterlogged hollows, with no continuous path.
How much drop does Maovally have?: The drop is 199m: measured from the summit of Maovally down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Maovally?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Maovally. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Maovally?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Maovally?: Poor. Remote north Sutherland coast area; all networks fail on this hill.
Is Maovally safe in winter?: In a north-westerly the hill catches the brunt of Atlantic squalls and rime ice forms on the scree. Snow does not lie long but verglas on quartzite slabs is a real hazard; pick a settled cold spell.

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