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 the OutdoorSCOT editor

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

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Marilyn · North-West Highlands

Maovally

Maovally is a 511m hill in central Sutherland at NC 378 212, south-west of the A838 near the head of Loch Shin. It looks north towards the Reay Forest hills.

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%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

We have not yet verified a route for this hill. The Rhiconich and Kinlochbervie starts sometimes given are around 35km away; plan an approach from the A838 side using the map, over pathless ground.

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.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

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. All networks are unreliable in this part of Sutherland.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

10h 42mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:23
Sunset: 16:42
Civil dawn: 06:42
Civil dusk: 17:24

NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 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

27km 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. All networks are unreliable in this part of Sutherland.
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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