How difficult is Roineabhal [Roineval]?

Roineabhal [Roineval] carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Gneiss outcrops, heather, peat hags and frequent lochans.

What is Roineabhal [Roineval]'s prominence?

203m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Roineabhal [Roineval] 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 Roineabhal [Roineval]?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Roineabhal [Roineval]. 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 Roineabhal [Roineval] dog-friendly?

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 Roineabhal [Roineval]?

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

Photo: Rude Health / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Outer Hebrides

Roineabhal [Roineval]

Roineabhal is a 281m gneiss top in the lochan-strewn moors of central Lewis, north of Loch Erisort. Despite a small height it has enough prominence to stand alone, with views across Lewis to the more mountainous south and the spread of the central moor north.

Quick facts

Height: 281m/ 922ft
Prominence: 203 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NB 23301 21211
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%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A short pathless ascent of 6-8km from minor roads at Balallan or Habost, around 3-4 hours. The line picks between small lochans and over low gneiss ribs to a stony summit.

Terrain

Gneiss outcrops, heather, peat hags and frequent lochans. Path-free throughout but the ground is firmer than the deep bogs further north.

In winter

Low height and short distance make this a good winter half-day if visibility is decent. The moor is essentially featureless in cloud, so plan a compass bearing for the return.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Roineabhal [Roineval]. 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. No MWIS mountain forecast covers this area either. In winter, work from a local weather forecast, 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

Glasgow9h 34m
Edinburgh11h 38m

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, OS Explorer 457, OS Explorer 458

Mobile signal: Poor. EE absent; bring offline maps for this remote Harris hill.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 17mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:54
Sunset: 19:51
Civil dawn: 06:14
Civil dusk: 20:31

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Roineabhal [Roineval] 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

23km 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

23km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Roineabhal [Roineval] — common questions

How difficult is Roineabhal [Roineval]?: Roineabhal [Roineval] carries a 1/5 (easy) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Underfoot: Gneiss outcrops, heather, peat hags and frequent lochans.
What is Roineabhal [Roineval]'s prominence?: 203m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Roineabhal [Roineval] 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 Roineabhal [Roineval]?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Roineabhal [Roineval]. 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 Roineabhal [Roineval] 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 Roineabhal [Roineval]?: Poor. EE absent; bring offline maps for this remote Harris hill.
How do I get the ferry to Roineabhal [Roineval]?: 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 Roineabhal [Roineval] safe in winter?: Low height and short distance make this a good winter half-day if visibility is decent. The moor is essentially featureless in cloud, so plan a compass bearing for the return.

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