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  Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh  

Click to view the route on zoomable OS 1:50000 maps and aerial photos

Corbetts

Beinn Spionnaidh (773m)
Cranstackie (801m)

Ascent

1050m (3450ft)

Distance  

13km (8m)

Time

walking : 5hr*, running : 2:30hr,
 *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent


Main route summary


Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh form the most northerly high ground in the UK. Overshadowed and often overlooked when compared to dramatic and nearby Fionaven and Arkle, this pair of Corbetts make for a pleasant and fairly easy afternoon hillwalk. Grassy slopes lower down lead to shattered boulder and rock covered crests with summits giving far distant panoramas to Durness, Orkney and beyond.

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.

profile
location
start/finish Carbreck
(grid ref : NC332592)

maps/guides  OS Landranger 9 - click to buy from Amazon OS Explorer 446 - click to buy from Amazon Pocket Mountains - Northern Highlands - click to buy from Amazon Summit Map : North West Highlands - click to buy from Amazon

GPX data download GPX file of this route

terrain
easy Track, and grassy approaches, blocks and stone on summits difficult
navigation
easy Fairly pathless, but quite obvious testing
effort
stroll Not far or particularly steep long day
scenery
ok Fine views in most directions stunning
 
meanings Cranstackie :
    'rugged hill'
Beinn Spionnaidh :
    'hill of strength'
main route outlineprint route
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.






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