Clisham (An Cliseam) is the one Corbett on the Isle of Harris and the summit at 799m elevation can be the best level within the Western Isles. 

I had been hoping to do a circuit referred to as the Clisham Horseshoe, however the climate wasn’t promising and so my pal Lynsey and I selected to stroll the extra direct return route.

This had the benefit of being a shorter distance, too, which meant we might full the stroll in between disembarking the ferry from Ullapool to Stornaway within the early afternoon and reaching our night lodging earlier than sundown.

The entire distance is simply shy of 6km and a complete ascent of near 650m. Our transferring time was round two hours. 

Direct route of Clisham

We began at a small parking space on the facet of the A859. A trod left the gravel space heading north-west, proper subsequent to a stream, and it quickly turned obvious we’d be strolling via a whole lot of moist and bathroom. 

We adopted the road of the burn for round 1.5km, earlier than monitoring a little bit extra westerly and on to barely drier floor. As quickly as we reached the beginning of the hill slope the gradient steepened and it didn’t actually let up till we reached the highest.

It wasn’t “steep, steep” however there was little reduction for the leg muscle tissues from base to summit. 

The trod got here and went and, for some the ascent, we detoured off the route. Nonetheless, the principle intention was to to keep away from areas of steeper crags greater up the mountain, which was simple to do as a result of we might see the best way forward.  You’ll want some cautious navigation if it’s very claggy. 

Mud and bathroom ultimately gave option to a terrain of grass strewn with rocks. The trail additionally turned extra apparent at greater altitude though we then discovered ourselves strolling into mist.

I’m positive the views are excellent on Clisham – however sadly our vista was solely thick cloud. When reserving a visit to the Scottish islands, you all the time take an opportunity on the climate and this time we weren’t so fortunate.

Even so, we loved the exertion of the climb and the massive stone shelter that surrounds the trig pillar on Clisham is effectively value a go to. 

Lynsey and I finished for a fast chew to eat, having fun with the break from the strengthening wind.

Return route on Clisham

We returned an identical route, though we stayed nearer to the course of the stream and a little bit additional north. It’s generally simpler to stay to a trod on the descent, in contrast the ascent.

Though now going through into the wind, the descent was pretty quick, regardless of the moist and dust underfoot. We each slipped to our bums a number of instances, laughing at one another’s unintentional falls. Fortunately not one of the slips have been painful, they have been merely moist and boggy!

I plan to return to this Corbett when the climate is healthier so I can full the complete circuit.

Particulars: Clisham

Distance: 5.8km

Complete ascent: 646m

Routes: Strava and OS Maps.