An Ruadh-mheallan from Bealach na Gaoithe
Hillwalking route up An Ruadh-mheallan from Bealach na Gaoithe
A short, pathless hike from Bealach na Gaoithe over heather-clad slopes and hidden lochans leads to the grassy summit of An Ruadh-mheallan, with superb views over Loch Torridon and the Inner Hebrides.
Route outline
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| Ascent | 490m (1600ft) | |||
| Distance | 6km (4m) | |||
| Time | 2:20hr | |||
| Start/finish | Bealach na Gaoithe Grid Ref : NG824593 | |||
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Approached from Bealach na Gaoithe, An Ruadh-mheallan makes for an ideal short afternoon hike. The route is entirely pathless, winding over undulating ground covered in grass and heather. Along the way, a scattering of hidden lochans nestled among rocky knolls are passed. The final ascent leads to the hill's distinctive conical peak, which tops out on a surprisingly broad, grassy summit. From here, expansive views stretch across Loch Torridon and westward to the Inner Hebrides - a fine reward for a relatively modest effort.
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Route description
1. Getting to Bealach na Gaoithe
View from Bealach na Gaoithe over Diabeg towards Skye
A hike up An Ruadh-mheallan begins a few miles west of the small village of Torridon, located around 10 miles west of Loch Maree in the north-west Highlands of Scotland.
From Torridon village, take the narrow, single-track road with passing places that leads towards Diabaig. It follows the northern shore of Loch Torridon before beginning to climb and twist uphill. After flattening out briefly and descending past the Beinn Alligin car park, ignore the turn-offs for Inveralligin and Wester Alligin, and continue straight ahead. The road climbs steeply once more, winding through sharp bends before reaching its highest point at Bealach na Gaoithe.
Just beyond the bealach, you'll find a small roadside parking area with a bench offering fine views over Loch Diabaigas Airde. Space is very limited - there's room for only about three vehicles. There are a couple of other smaller places to park in Bealach na Gaoithe.
2. An Ruadh-mheallan
Beginning on the road with An Ruadh-mheallan ahead
From the car park, An Ruadh-mheallan's summit lies directly ahead, its slopes marked by distinctive sandstone terraces, though much of the terrain remains hidden at first glance.
Begin by striking out over the rough ground to your right. As you crest a minor rise, the broader landscape opens up - rolling, pathless ground clad in grass and heather, dotted with small lochans nestled among low ridges.
Head roughly in a straight line toward the base of An Ruadh-mheallan. The undulating terrain includes a bit of up-and-down as Loch nan Tri-eileanan 
is approached. From here, the gradient steepens gradually, with a scattering of striking erratic boulders nearby and distant.
Around 2km from the car park, a short, steeper grassy slope is reached that requires a bit of light scrambling. This leads to a small plateau, where a lochan 
lies tucked beneath the hill's rounded dome. Skirt around a patch of boulders and scree to pick up a grassy line just east of some craggy ground. At one point, the faint sound of a stream can be heard bubbling underground, only revealing itself higher up.
The final climb up An Ruadh-mheallan
- a broad, flat area with no distinct marker. From here, effort is rewarded with wide-ranging views: over Loch Torridon, westward to Skye, and northwards toward the Flowerdale hills.The final climb up An Ruadh-mheallan
3. Return
Beinn Alligin from the summit of An Ruadh-mheallan
Rather than retracing steps directly, from the summit, head east along the flat summit with Beinn Alligin dominating the view ahead. Turning southeast, a more gradual descent is made over gentler terrain - the ground is softer and more grassy than the way up.
View over Loch Torridon while descending An Ruadh-mheallan
, a route is made roughly parallel to the ascent, but 300-400m further east. Although this return leg is less dramatic as it doesn't pass as close to the lochans, it offers a smoother and arguably more enjoyable walk back to the car park.View over Loch Torridon while descending An Ruadh-mheallan
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Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Torridon Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg | |
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Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg are the most westerly of the Torridon Giants and not quite as large or complex as their higher neighbours Liathach and Beinn Eighe. A traverse across their mountain ridges makes for a fine introduction to scrambling on Scottish rock. Peaks : 2 Munros, 1 Corbett
Ascent : 1250m (4100ft) Distance : 10km (6m) Time : 4:35hr |
Beinn an Eoin and Baosbheinn | |
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A fine track heads in from near Gairloch to the foot of Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin, from where a circular hiking route over long wide ridges gains superb vantage points for stunning views of Torridon and the north-west coast. Peaks : 2 Corbetts
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Beinn a' Chearcaill from Loch Maree | |
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Peaks : 1 Fiona/Graham
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Liathach | |
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Liathach, "the Grey One", is situated in the heart of the Torridon. Being the most dramatic of the Torridon Giants, Liathach's slopes are composed of terraced sandstone, above which the highest peaks are topped with quartzite blocks. Forboding on first aquantiance, there are however some chinks in Liathach's armour which has allowed rough routes and a bypass path around the scramble over the Am Fasarinen Pinnacles to develop over time. Peaks : 2 Munros
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Beinn Eighe in Torridon | |
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Beinn Eighe is a vast mountain in Torridon, boasting seven peaks, two of which are Munros. There are many route options, but ensure you visit its most dramatic feature, Coire Mhic Fhearchair, a spectaular amphitheatre with a famed 'Triple Buttress'. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1250m (4100ft) Distance : 17km (11m) Time : 6:15hr |
