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Helmsdale Walks

Chris Dobbs & Lorna Sangster

WALK 1

Harbour Views
Popular local short walk providing fine views of Helmsdales historic harbour and old road bridge.

The Walk
A. Cross the old road bridge, built by Thomas Telford, and climb the steps which rise just before the 1824 Ice House. B. Walk along the left hand edge of Coopers Park, site of the annual Highland gathering. C. Reach picnic tables, historic site of Helmsdale castle. Enjoy excellent views of the old bridge and river. At high tide, seals and sometimes otters, may be seen feeding between the two bridges. Exit park via steps in left hand corner and arrive at the Harbour View Cafe. D. Walk across car park and follow A9 footpath away from Helmsdale. Reach Helmsdale Sports Club and, crossing the A9 with care, take the track which slopes down to the shore.

Suitability : Level 4
Steep inclines and long distances with no rest facilities. Walk for experienced endurance walkers only.

Duration
Drive Walk
10-14 Hours 1 Hour

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WALK 2

G. Follow rough track that winds through site of village. At memorial follow Option 1.

Marrel

Warning - The early residents of Badbea were reputed to tether their livestock and children to prevent them from blowing over the cliff. On windy days be careful !

Very easy walk along the Strath to the crofting village of Marrel, a settlement of around a dozen properties nestling below the protective arm of Creag Marail

A E The Walk
A. Cross the old bridge and walk past the 1824 ice house. Pass the road to the cemetery and take the next right hand turning, signposted to Marrel. B. Follow the single track road towards Marrel, keeping the railway on your left and river on your right, noting the crofting strips stretching to the banks of the river. C. Take left hand turn and cross the railway line in to Marrel. Turn right. D. After first house on right, follow grass track past side of house. Cross railway line with care and head for steps (50 yards on left). Climb stile and go to turning circle. Option At E, take path to left of turning circle through the shrubbery, emerging in to pasture lands at banks of river. Look out for salmon !

F G C

Suitability : Level 2/3 Option 1

Path is uneven and slopes down to the memorial. Option 2 is unmarked and over rough terrain. Boots are essential.
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Duration
1/

Option 2
1 Hour (Plus Village)

Hour

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WALK 3

Fishermens Footsteps

F.

At foot of hill cross railway line and turn right. Follow coast path for one hour until reach bay with watch towers on the hills at either end.

The River Helmsdale, one of Scotlands finest salmon rivers, is frequented by locals, tourists, and members of the Royal Family. This walk follows the rivers north bank.

G. Return via same route. Options - At F follow coast path back to Helmsdale. This is a difficult walk over shingle. At E follow A9 to Helmsdale. Take great care as there is no footpath.

The Walk
A. Start at car park opposite Bridge Hotel. Take steps to right of public conveniences down to the picnic area. Take riverside path. B. At St. Johns Well (1887) take left hand rough trail along river bank. C. Where trail rises to top, select left hand spur and stay close to river bank. D. Pass under electricity pylons and climb over the stile. Keep a look out for salmon and fishermen in the river. E. Opposite Marrel, climb stone steps. At top of steps turn right along single track road and head back to Helmsdale. F. Opposite cemetery, take stone steps to St Johns Well, enjoying fine views of old bridge and war memorial. Return to Bridge Hotel.

A C D E F Suitability : Level 2/3

Some inclines and coast sections include uneven stretches and small burns which have to be crossed. No Dogs.

4 Hours (plus beach)

Duration

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F.

WALK 4

Bun-Ullidh Loop
Exit the village along the bank of the River Helmsdale, before looping back to a fine vantage point half-way up Bun-Ullidh, Helmsdales landmark hill.

G.

Reach track in next strath and turn left. Follow track to stile. Take road straight ahead, down the hill. Option - At F, follow track to the right. When track splits take left spur to peat cutting fields in the foothills of Beinn Mhealaich where deer frequently graze (add 1 hour for return journey). At cross roads turn left and follow road back to Helmsdale.

E F D B A C

The Walk
A. Start at car park opposite Bridge Hotel. Take steps to right of public conveniences down to the picnic area. Take riverside path. At St. Johns Well (1887) take left hand rough trail along river bank. B. Where trail next rises to top, select right hand spur. At top take path between houses and turn right on to Golf Road. C. Take first left, pass golf club house, and where the road curves to right, follow track straight on to foot of hill. D. Follow path that climbs upwards to the right - this is a steep track and the thorns are very sharp ! E. At flagpole rest on bench and enjoy the best views of : Helmsdale's grid street plan, the shoreline to Portgower, and on a clear day the Aberdeenshire coastline.
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Suitability : Level 3
Steep hills and uneven paths walking boots are essential.

Duration 2 Hours

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WALK 5

Option 3

Navidale

At C, take right hand turn and arc over the top of Helmsdale, enjoying picture postcard views of harbour. Join Option 1 at H and return to village.

Pleasant walk along the north shoreline of Helmsdale with fine views of the Ord of Caithness and abundant birdlife. Return via the settlement of Navidale.

The Walk
A. Follow the road along the front of the Harbour and exit the village via East Shore Street. B. At white house leave road and follow path along the shoreline. C. At first headland enjoy fine view of Ord of Caithness. Follow shoreline along the next bay, crossing the Navidale burn, until reaching the old stone building on the next headland. D. Climb path up the cliff. Option - At stone building climb to shale beach and follow shoreline to a waterfall which plunges down the cliff. This is a difficult walk. Allow 11/2 hours for return journey. E. At top of cliff take the path to the left of the farm fence and join the road which runs past the Navidale cemetery and goes up to the A9. Option - At top of cliff take farm track to right along top of the cliff. This is a long cliff top walk with fine sea views, but track often difficult to follow.
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I A B

C F E D

Suitability : Level 2

Duration
Option 1 11/4 Hours Option 2 50 Minutes Option 3 30 Minutes

Some steep inclines but all of the routes are on hard, single track roads.

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Helmsdale Walks Was Sponsored By The Following Local Businesses

The Harbour, Helmsdale Tel: (01431) 821402 E-mail: lorna@strathullie.wanadoo.co.uk

Strath Ullie Crafts

La Mirage Restaurant
Dunrobin Street, Helmsdale Tel: (01431) 821615 E-mail: enquiries@lamirage.org

Timespan Highland Visitors Centre

Dunrobin Street, Helmsdale Tel: (01431) 821327 E-mail: enquiries@timespan.org.uk

Dunrobin Street, Helmsdale Tel: (0044 1431) 821100 E-mail: mail@bridgehotel.net

The Bridge Hotel

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