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  Beinn Eighe in Torridon  

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

Munros

Spidean Coire nan Clach (993m, Munro 150)
Ruadh-stac Mor (1010m, Munro 120)

Corbetts

Meall a'Ghuibhais* (886m)
Ruadh-stac Beag* (896m)
  *See 'Alternative Routes' below

Ascent

1250m (4,100ft)

Distance  

11km (7m)

Time

walking : 4:50hr*, running : 2:30hr
 *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent

Main route summary


It may surprise you that the main route described here doesn't include the most dramatic and interesting features on this mountain range, it simply is the quickest and most direct way to bag the two Munro summits, allowing time on the day for more Munro-bagging on Liathach or Beinn Alligin.

Beinn Eighe does however have some fantastic sections including the unmissable Coire Mhic Fhearchair with its Triple Buttress. Some entertaining scrambling can be enjoyed on Sail Mhor and the Black Carls on Sgur nan Fhir Duibhe. Try and take some time to enjoy this range - check out the 'Alternative Routes'.

profile
location
start/finish 2km east of Liathach car-park
(grid ref : NG977578)

maps/guides  OS Landranger 19 - click to buy from Amazon OS Landranger 25 - click to buy from Amazon OS Explorer 433 - 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 A few bits of easy scrambling but mainly grass and boulderfield difficult
navigation
easy Mainly ridge walking, but tricky coming of Ruadh-stac Mor in mist testing
effort
stroll Longer than the other Torridon peaks long day
scenery
ok Superb ! stunning
meanings Beinn Eighe :
    'file hill'
Ruadh-stac Mhor/Beag :
    'big/little red conical peak'
Spidean Coire nan Clach :
    'peak of the corrie of stones'
Meall a'Ghiubhais :
    'hill of the fir tree'
main route outlineprint route

Getting there
On the A896, 2km east of the Liathach's eastern car-park, there's what looks like a track up to a bunch of trees. Probably best not to drive up this short track - boulders will possibly damage the underneath of your car. Parking by the road is restricted, but there is a decent car-park on the other side of the road - unless the council has blocked it off with large boulders.

Spidean Coire nan Clach
From the roadside, aim up the track to the patch of trees, where the track becomes a path. This well maintained path climbs in zig-zags up towards Coire an Laoigh, then, just as the coire is about to be entered, it stops abruptly. Continue up a worn wet path into the coire, then climb steeply up grass and fine gravel onto a grassy bealach between Spidean Coire nan Clach and the knobbly Stuc Coire an Laoigh. Turn north, and after an initial easy climb on grass, cross gravel and scree to climb up to a trig point - this is not the summit ! The summit, with its small cairn, is 200m north-east and reached via a narrow ridge and short climb. This is a great vantage point to view the entire Beinn Eighe range of peaks and ridges.

Ruadh-stac Mor
Return to the trig point, then head west down a path on boulders and rock. Start to change direction, turning north-west before reaching the bealach at c820m. Up along the ridge to a minor bump, then cross grassy ground to climb up Choinneach Mor's eastern rise. Head north-east down the loose, sandstone-rock ridge to a narrow gap (note this is the descent down into Coire Mhic Fhearchair on the alternative route). Cross the gap, then up more rock to reach a flat grass area with the white summit on Ruadh-stac Mor ahead. Reach the summit and take in the views - north and west are particularly fine over Baosbheinn and Letterewe to the Outer Hebrides.

Return
Return to the narrow gap and, if the views on the way haven't enticed you down into Coire Mhic Fhearchair, head back up Choinneach Mor's eastern rise and back down to the bealach at c820m. Just to the east of the lowest point is the start of a scree run that heads south-east-south down to Coire Dubh Mor. This is not a well-visited route, therefore the scree is perfect for running fast down on ! Upon reaching the bottom, hopefully intact and with a big grin on your face, cross heather and some wet ground to pick up the Coire Dubh Mor path. Follow this for 2km back to the road.



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