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Hebridean Way Cycling Route Section E: Tarbert to Callanish

Add Hebridean Way Cycling Route Section E: Tarbert to Callanish to your Itinerary

Harris: cyclists at Ardhasaig with Clisham backdrop
  • Harris: cyclists at Ardhasaig with Clisham backdrop
  • Harris: cyclist on road at Ardhasaig before climbing the Clisham
  • Harris: cyclists on winding double track road
  • Lewis: cattle grid sign at Laxay
  • Lewis: Lochganavich peat stacks
  • Lewis: Callanish Stones at sunset

About

HARRIS

After so many miles of fairly easy riding, climbing through the hills of North Harris might come as a shock to the system. But it’s soon over and there are good views up to the summit of the Clisham, which is the highest hill in the Outer Hebrides, and down to the fjord-like Loch Seaforth. It is a good place to look for Golden Eagle; just scan the sky and if it has broad wings and a longish tail, it is most likely it’s an eagle. Then enjoy an exhilarating descent back down to sea-level and cross the border into Lewis.

LEWIS

Antiquities in Lewis can be found at every turn.  At Arivuraich in South Lewis, a roadside monument commemorates Bonnie Prince Charlie passing through in 1745 and further on a cairn at the turn for Eisgean remembers the local men who raided the Pairc Deer Park in 1887 to make a peaceful protest about their conditions. Then once you have turned left at Leurbost, where there is a well-stocked shop and a café, and crossed the moor to the west side, they come thick and fast.

First up are the famous standing stones at Callanish. Two smaller circles, Callanish II and Callanish III, are visible on the left as you enter the village, but Callanish I is accessed from the visitor centre, which has a shop and excellent café. 

Map & Directions

Route Waypoints
  1. Village of Tarbert with shops, restaurants, cafes and facilities
  2. To the left is Ardhasig Glass and Cafe Pit Stop
  3. Ardhasaig Garage Grocery Shop Pit Stop to the right
  4. Start of a steep climb up the Clisham hill
  5. You have completed 9 islands! You are now entering Lewis.
  6. If you fancy a detour, head off the route to the stunning South Lochs
  7. Kinloch Historical Society Pit Stop to the left
  8. Island Arts Cafe Pit Stop to the right
  9. Take a left turn here. There is a small grocery shop about 100 yards straight on here if you need to stock up on essentials
  10. Westend B&B and Island Darkroom Pit Stops nearby
  11. If you want a detour, you can head to Uig and Bernera for some amazing beaches.
  12. To the left are the Callanish Stones and Visitor Centre Cafe

Along This Route

  1. The first distillery in Harris has opened it's doors. The Harris Distillery is a working…

  2. With some of the highest densities of breeding golden eagles in all of Europe, North…

  3. The Ravenspoint Centre Museum also has an archive and exhibition to allow you to discover…

  1. The Bonnie Prince Charlie monument is in the village of Arivruach, Lochs to mark where he…

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Along This Route

  1. Islands: 2 (Harris and Lews)
    Causeways: 0
    Ferries: 0
    Distance: 38 miles
    Route Time: 6…

  1. A short walk of 4km (2 miles) across rough ground to an abandoned village on the north…

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Route Guides

Route Time -

5.5h - 6.5h

Distance -

38 miles

Grade -

Moderate to Difficult

Terrain -

Other

  • Route Information - Terrain - Double Track Road

Route Type -

Cycle

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