Stac a’ Phris Arch is a hidden gem located along the rugged coastline of Scotland. Despite the lack of clear instructions online, adventurous travelers can find this magnificent sea arch by parking near Norse Mill Car Park and embarking on a 25-minute walk west along the coast. The path is not well-defined, but wooden posts help guide the way. Visitors are advised to wear waterproof hiking boots due to boggy terrain and to exercise caution as the area features sheer drops and crumbling cliffs.
Why you should go
1
Experience a hidden gem with breathtaking views of Stac a’ Phris Arch on the wild Atlantic coastline
2
Embark on an adventurous journey involving walking through heather-covered hills and following unmarked paths with wooden posts for guidance
3
Discover this untouched natural wonder that remains relatively unknown despite its beauty
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This magnificent natural sea arch Stac a' Phris is more or less as close as you can get to Iceland from Scotland. There's nothing but the wild Atlantic in between. Fascinating rugged coastline, so untamed. Please pay attention, the location has sheer drops, crumbling cliffs, and can be dangerous.
Really beautiful place and definitely worth visiting. Loved it. We walked a way from a beach named dhail beag. The way was 1 mile or 1,6 km (so much shorter than the way from the Norse mill). We needed a bit less than half an hour for the way. There’s a place to park your car too. The way is a little bit steep and boggy but it gets better along the way
Not really sure why no clear instructions exist on the internet for how to get to this fantastic natural gem! So I'll do my best here and include pictures of where to go. Follow it at your own risk!
1. Park at Norse Mill Car Park, it's paved and has space for maybe three motor homes. Wear wellies or HIGH waterproof hiking boots. It's very boggy in places.
2. Walk a little ways down this gravel path before veering off into the heather.
3. To begin with there is no sign of a path or even trodden down heather/grass but if you come off where my first picture is you can go wrong.
4. Keep the wind turbine behind you and the small loch ahead head across the heather.
5. You will eventually a well trodden trail that heads over toward some rocks. This will have the loch to your right
6. If you look hard enough you'll be able to follow this trodden path a ways. It'll take you to breaks in the fence.
7. You'll come across a wider path. Maybe quad bike wide that leads down to the loch shore.
8. This then turns toward the coast.
9. Be very careful here especially if you've dogs or children. You're on a high cliff.
10. Once you've reached the coast here turn left (south) and follow the green markers until you see and outcropping with cairns marking the top.
11. Head across the narrow join and look south. You'll see the Arch!
Hope this helps some folk. But again all at your own risk for safety/legality :-)
This magnificent natural sea arch Stac a' Phris is more or less as close as you can get to Iceland from Scotland. There's nothing but the wild Atlantic in between. Fascinating rugged coastline, so untamed. Please pay attention, the location has sheer drops, crumbling cliffs, and can be dangerous.
Really beautiful place and definitely worth visiting. Loved it. We walked a way from a beach named dhail beag. The way was 1 mile or 1,6 km (so much shorter than the way from the Norse mill). We needed a bit less than half an hour for the way. There’s a place to park your car too. The way is a little bit steep and boggy but it gets better along the way
Not really sure why no clear instructions exist on the internet for how to get to this fantastic natural gem! So I'll do my best here and include pictures of where to go. Follow it at your own risk!
1. Park at Norse Mill Car Park, it's paved and has space for maybe three motor homes. Wear wellies or HIGH waterproof hiking boots. It's very boggy in places.
2. Walk a little ways down this gravel path before veering off into the heather.
3. To begin with there is no sign of a path or even trodden down heather/grass but if you come off where my first picture is you can go wrong.
4. Keep the wind turbine behind you and the small loch ahead head across the heather.
5. You will eventually a well trodden trail that heads over toward some rocks. This will have the loch to your right
6. If you look hard enough you'll be able to follow this trodden path a ways. It'll take you to breaks in the fence.
7. You'll come across a wider path. Maybe quad bike wide that leads down to the loch shore.
8. This then turns toward the coast.
9. Be very careful here especially if you've dogs or children. You're on a high cliff.
10. Once you've reached the coast here turn left (south) and follow the green markers until you see and outcropping with cairns marking the top.
11. Head across the narrow join and look south. You'll see the Arch!
Hope this helps some folk. But again all at your own risk for safety/legality :-)
Park at Norse Mill Car Park for access to Stac a’ Phris Arch but be prepared for limited space
Wear wellies or high waterproof hiking boots due to boggy terrain along the route
Follow wooden posts as there is no clear path towards the arch; exercise caution near cliffs especially if accompanied by children or pets
Keep an eye out for green markers leading to cairns marking the top where you can witness this magnificent sea arch
Reviews
Stac a’ Phris Arch is a magnificent natural sea arch located on the rugged and untamed coastline between Shawbost and Dalbeg on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Visitors are advised to park at Norse Mill Car Park, wear waterproof hiking boots due to boggy terrain, follow wooden posts along an unmarked path over hills and cliffs, and be cautious near high drops. The journey involves walking through heather, crossing fences, reaching the coast with green markers leading to cairns marking the top where the stunning arch can be seen. Reviewers highlight its hidden gem status, breathtaking views, and unique discovery process from old photography books.
This magnificent natural sea arch Stac a' Phris is more or less as close as you can get to Iceland from Scotland. There's nothing but the wild Atlantic in between. Fascinating rugged coastline, so untamed. Please pay attention, the location has sheer drops, crumbling cliffs, and can be dangerous.
Really beautiful place and definitely worth visiting. Loved it. We walked a way from a beach named dhail beag. The way was 1 mile or 1,6 km (so much shorter than the way from the Norse mill). We needed a bit less than half an hour for the way. There’s a place to park your car too. The way is a little bit steep and boggy but it gets better along the way
Not really sure why no clear instructions exist on the internet for how to get to this fantastic natural gem! So I'll do my best here and include pictures of where to go. Follow it at your own risk!
1. Park at Norse Mill Car Park, it's paved and has space for maybe three motor homes. Wear wellies or HIGH waterproof hiking boots. It's very boggy in places.
2. Walk a little ways down this gravel path before veering off into the heather.
3. To begin with there is no sign of a path or even trodden down heather/grass but if you come off where my first picture is you can go wrong.
4. Keep the wind turbine behind you and the small loch ahead head across the heather.
5. You will eventually a well trodden trail that heads over toward some rocks. This will have the loch to your right
6. If you look hard enough you'll be able to follow this trodden path a ways. It'll take you to breaks in the fence.
7. You'll come across a wider path. Maybe quad bike wide that leads down to the loch shore.
8. This then turns toward the coast.
9. Be very careful here especially if you've dogs or children. You're on a high cliff.
10. Once you've reached the coast here turn left (south) and follow the green markers until you see and outcropping with cairns marking the top.
11. Head across the narrow join and look south. You'll see the Arch!
Hope this helps some folk. But again all at your own risk for safety/legality :-)
Looks like you’ve found one of these hidden gems! I highly recommend to visit Stac a‘Phris Arch, it‘s absolutely magnificent!
There is no parking spot, I just left my car on the side of the nearest road, from there it was about 25 min of walking West along the coast. There is no path, but there are wooden posts to help you keep on track.
How I stumbled upon this place:
I saw a photo of this in an old landscape photography book from the 1950s, and it took me quite a lot of effort to find out where this is. Actually a small miracle that this place is still pretty unknown, especially in the age of Instagram. So if you go, make sure to leave nothing behind to keep this place as untouched as it is now.