Harris
Clisham – 6 miles
Clisham South
(Scottish Gaelic: An Cliseam – rocky cliff)
North Harris – The Outer Hebrides – A859
6miles, +840ft ascent, Max Gradient 11%, Average Gradient (excluding the descents) 3.5%
At 799m (2,2621ft) Clisham is the highest summit on the Outer Hebrides.
Ridden on the Skinny Tyres Hebridean Way cycling trip
Fortunately, we don’t cycle to the summit. Instead, the road follows the eastern shoulder.
From Tarbert at sea level, the climb is 9.1 miles to the highest point at the road at 1007ft. This includes some undulations as you cycle past Loch a Siar, Loch a’Mhorghain and Loch na Ciste.
The actual climbing starts at the small village of Bun Abhainn Eadarra (the start of the Strava segment) and finishes at the southern tip of Loch a’ Mhorgain. This section is 1.1 miles in length with a gain of 406ft. The steepest gradient is 11%. However, after a short undulating section, you will continue to the highest point. Your efforts are rewarded with an amazing swooping descent back to sea level and Loch Shiophoirt.