corbetts	Beinn Spionnaidh (773m) Cranstackie (801m)
ascent	1050m (3450ft)
distance	13km (8m)
time	running : 2:30hr, walking : 5hr*  *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
profile	view profile of the main route
location	view map of location
start/finish	Carbreck (grid ref : NC332592)
maps/guides	This area is covered by 1 OS Landranger 1:50000 and 1 OS Explorer 1:25000 maps :
GPX data	download a GPX file of the main route
terrain	easy difficult
navigation	easy testing
effort	stroll long day
scenery	ok stunning
images	view photos of the route and hills

main route summary
Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh form the most northerly high ground in the UK. Overshadowed and often overlooked when compared to nearby Fionaven and Arkle, this pair make for a pleasant and fairly easy afternoon hillwalk. The most popular access is from Carbreck to the north-west, from where the hills appear as grassy slopes split by Calbhach Coire. The hills can also be accessed from the southern end of Loch Eribol, from where the hill's bouldery summits are more obvious.

main route outline

Getting there
12km south of Durness a house (marked Carbreck on the OS map) sits opposite the access to a private track heading down to the River Dionard. There is roadside parking for 4 or 5 cars in a layby just to the south of Carbreck.

Cranstackie
Head down the track, cross the river and head to the buildings at Rhigolter. Go past the house to the shed, then through a gate onto the grass moorland. Head uphill over ferns and grass tussocks aimimg south-east into Calbhach Coire. Pick up the burn and follow it for a bit. Higher up, cross the burn and aim for the wet, grassy bealach. Once on the bealach, turn south-west and climb up grass and occasional boulders. A faint path is followed and a flat area is reached. Head south-west-south and climb more steep grass covered ground with more boulders to reach the summit area and cross a boulderfield to the well made cairn. Stunning views in all directions !

Beinn Spionnaidh
About turn and return to the bealach. In mist, some careful navigation may be required from the cairn to retrace the route back along the bouldery ridge. From the bealach climb initially north-east, then north-north-east on pleasant grassy ground. Beinn Spionnaidh's boulderfield is reached at around c680m, from where continue with care over this to reach the bouldery summit plateau. Turn north-east and walk over the boulders, following the edge, to the trig point protected by a constructed circular dyke. Superb views all round, with the minor exception of Cranstackie blocking some of Fionaven.

Return to Carbreck
Return to the bealach and retrace your route back to Carbreck.