Walks | North-West
Ardessie Falls
Start: Ardessie, A832 Gairloch - Braemore Junction road
Description: Short climb over rough, wet ground around a roadside waterfall.
OS Map: #19, Gairloch & Ullapool
Multimap: Online Map
Ardessie Falls are spectacular waterfalls situated on the mountain-side below An Teallach and Sail Mor. Climbing up the paths beside this waterfall gives you excellent views out over Little Loch Broom. The paths can be muddy, slippy and wet, so boots are essential. The rocks and stepping stones in the waterfalls can be slippy, so take care if crossing the falls.
Drive along the A832 from the Braemore Junction to Little Loch Broom, about 2.5 miles past Dundonnel. Park in the layby on the left-hand side of the road, just beyond the entrance to the fish farm on the opposite side of the road.
Walk back along the road to the bridge where you get excellent views of the waterfall as it drops 40 feet and disappears under the road. When the falls are in spate, this is very impressive. Climb up the muddy path on either side of the falls and follow the path as it leads up the side of the waterfall. Above the waterfall at the road there is another fall of about 40 feet. Higher up, the waterfall splits into two, with wide flat rocks visible in the centre - it is possible to cross the falls, but care should be taken as the rocks can be wet and slippy. The waterfalls here are spectacular - water gushing fast and furiously round rocks and down deep gullies in a series of rapids.
Higher up again, there is a single wide fall of about 30 feet into a large pool - a good spot for swimming on warm summer days. Above this is a deep, narrow gorge. The path continues up onto the valley between An Teallach and Sail Mor, with Sgurr Ruadh directly ahead. There are excellent views from here out to Little Loch Broom and The Minch.