Liathach in Torridon  

Getting there
The main route up Liathach starts from the west side burn on the A896, 700m west of the cottage. There is plenty of roadside parking nearby.

Spidean a'Choire Leith
From the roadside, a well constructed path heads up the side of the burn. Head up this path and cross the burn just a minute or two after setting off ! Further up, hands are needed to clamber up a couple of granny-stoppers. The path heads steeply uphill as it hugs the eastern side of the burn and heads into Toll a'Meitheach. Eventually the constructed path finishes at around c400m, from where on a worn path continues through heather, over small loose boulders and up fine scree. Up to the base of the dark sandstone terraces, the path takes a sudden right turn. It is at this point that the SMC guidebook suggests a possible alternative route, which makes a direct ascent to Spidean a'Choire Leith. I would not recommend taking this option, since you'll end up clambering up wet pathless grass, slipping as you zig-zag trying to find a route up, over and between the terraces. Better to take the right turn and follow the obvious path, steep in bits, up to the ridge near Bidean Toll a'Mhuic. The views start to open up. Turn left (west) and follow a path along the crest. This is narrow in bits before reaching the boulders on the start of the climb up to Stob a'Choire Liath Mhor. Just when you think you've arrived at this top, there's just a bit more. From this top, there's a short drop, then a climb up quartzite blocks to reach the pyramid summit of Spidean a'Choire Leith. This is a fantastic spot to take in the views.

Am Fasarinen
From the summit head south-west directly for the start of the Am Fasarinen pinnacles. Do not be persuaded by a path that heads of right (west), keep to the bouldery crest right down to the short bealach. At this bealach there's some dramatic rock gaps to the right - a good spot to frame Beinn Dearg in a photo. You'll also pick up a path again. The pinnacles now need to be crossed or by-passed. Am Fasarinen Pinnacles are great fun, and not overly difficult to climb over, just stick to the crests with the linking paths. Be warned that these peaks are made of sandstone and the rock is crumbly and loose in bits (I have had a couple of minor falls here due to the unstability of the rock). If the weather is wet or windy, then the fun is lost and taking the by-pass path is to be recommended. The by-pass path is however vertigo-inducing, so great care is needed, particularly at two points where the path swings back into the mountain-side and errosion has taken its toll. Ground here has weathered and worn away and is often damp, which causes major problems particularly if iced over.

Mullach an Rathain
After coming off the end of the Am Fasarinen Pinnacles, there is relief and you can stick your hands back into pockets. The path is followed over grass to the edge of coire from when things get a bit more bouldery for the last pull up to Mullach an Rathain. A superb spot to stay for a while looking at all the peaks.

Return
Head west downhill for a few metres, where a cairn marks the start of the descent down on the pink gravel. This is an excellent run if you like going fast ! Not great scree, just loose gravel for zig-zagging quickly downhill. Once the grass is reached, a burn is crossed and the ground gets a bit sodden. Your feet will probably remain dry up this point, but expect to get wet feet and mucky legs on the remainder of the descent down to the road. As you walk along the road back to the carpark, you'll have time to admire the mountain that's just been climbed over.