Secret Beach
The ‘Secret Beach’ Isle of Harris
So in all honesty this beach isn’t very secret, but you do need to know how to find it. And actually it has a real name - Traigh Mheilein - and looks over to the Isle of Scarp off the coast of Harris. The last time I was here it was mid-summer and I only met two other people on my walk - they were a couple on holiday from Germany and had hit the weather-based jackpot (let’s be honest it’s a lottery in Scotland).
There is actually a story about the islanders trying to find an efficient way to get the mail across to Scarp years ago - the method they tried was to construct a mini rocket and fire it across from Scarp to this beach. Funnily enough - it didn’t work and wasn’t adopted as the way forward!
The walk itself is not a long one but it is a bit scrambly and up and down - it is along an old deer path and isn’t suitable for those who aren’t sure-footed. From the car park at Hushinish, the walk takes about half an hour directly, although there is a longer route which takes in some breathtaking scenery (both routes below in ‘Get There’). It is so so beautiful, whatever route you decide to take. Make sure you take water and a picnic because there are many spots where you will want to sit and take it in.
A word of warning - I am not sure it is safe to swim here, as tempting as it looks - the channel between Harris and Scarp is narrow and shallow and the water moves quickly. I wouldn’t take the chance.
Views to Scarp
Get There:
Drive to the end of the road at Hushinish (details about this in the Hushinish blog) and park in the car park (once you pass the toilet block there is a small road off to the right - it usually looks like a beach road) which takes you to the Hushinish car park. Both walks start from here:
1 hour out and back to ‘Secret Beach’ (Tràigh Mheilein): Park in the car park and walk towards the slipway. To the right you will see a gate - this is the start of the path. From here it is fairly well marked - it is an ancient path so it is not obvious, but you can see where you’re supposed to be. After about 20 minutes there will be a fork, take the left hand path down towards the sand which you should be able to see by now [The right path up the hill is the route to continue on to the walk below]. OS Link
3-4 hour Crabhadail loop: This is a stunning route and one of the best walks in the Hebrides. It starts and finishes at the Hushinish car park and takes in the small ‘Secret Beach’. More information in the flyer here: Crabhadail Loop
My travel buddy admiring the view