Beinn Enaiglair from Braemore
Hillwalking route up Beinn Enaiglair from Braemore Junction
On the edge of Inverlael, estate tracks lead to the base of Beinn Enaiglair, from where a pathless circular route travels over heather and grass covered slopes to arrive at fine viewpoints.
Route outline
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| Ascent | 740m (2420ft) | |||
| Distance | 12km (8m) | |||
| Time | 4:15hr | |||
| Start/finish | Braemore Junction Grid Ref : NH209777 | |||
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To the west of mighty Beinn Dearg, sits little Beinn Enaiglair above Lael Forest. Hiking up this delightful hill is a fine way to spend a few hours while savouring some stunning views out west to Coigach.
Decent estate tracks access the base of Beinn Enaiglair and continue further around the hill. Higher up there are only occasional traces of trods to follow, but terrain is fairly light underfoot and navigation is straightforward.
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Route description
1. Getting to Braemore Junction
Braemore gatehouse by the junction
Around 12km south of Ullapool, the main A835 trunk road meets with the A832 by Braemore junction, beside which is a large car-parking area and the entrance to Braemore Estate.
On the A832, 1km on from Braemore junction, is another car-parking area which is for Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of Messach - a visit to this via the constructed footpaths and viewing platforms is highly recommended.
2. Beinn Enaiglair
Waterfall on the Allt a' Chumhainn
From Braemore junction car-park, head to Braemore Estate gate-house, then follow a fine track heading north-west. After around 1.5km the track comes to the entrance for the main estate house 
, just before which there is a junction with another track heading off right and uphill.
Follow this other track as it passes another smaller house and some outbuildings then continues through some forestry, to meet with a gate 
in a deer-fence. Through the gate, keep to the track as it passes a loch with boathouse, then climbs gently with Beinn Enaiglair in view ahead. Passing a grass-topped dyke, the track comes to a cairn 
- leave the track here and follow a faint path directly uphill and above the Allt a' Chumhainn with a few lovely little waterfalls.
Beinn Dearg from Beinn Enaiglair's summit
. Leave the path at this col and over grassy terrain, climb up fairly steep ground between rocky outcrops. Higher up the ascent easies and a faint path can be picked up to follow to Beinn Enaiglair's summit 
. Fine views from the top, but with being on a fairly large plateau, you may have to wander a bit to get the best pics !Beinn Dearg from Beinn Enaiglair's summit
3. Return
View from Beinn Enaiglair's western cairn
A straightforward return can be made by re-tracing your steps back down Beinn Enaiglair's southern slopes.
On my most recent visit I opted to head along Beinn Enaiglair's north-western shoulder in order to savour more views over Coigach. After pausing by the cairn 
on a minor rise and around 1km on from the summit, I turned westwards and enjoyed a fine downhill run over heather and grass. I reached the track 
around 1km north where it was left earlier and followed it southwards to the cairn by the Allt a' Chumhainn and retraced my steps back.
On my first time up Beinn Enaiglair, we were in fine conditions and had plenty of time, so opted to extend our planned route up to Beinn Dearg. Easier than expected, we went over Iorguill and followed the 'destitution wall' to Beinn Dearg's summit followed by a return out via Clach na h-Aide.
Route profile »
Maps and GPX downloads »
 | OS Explorer 436 |
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Download GPX of route |
Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Torridon Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Inverlael Munros | |
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South-east of Ullapool, a network of forestry tracks and old stalkers paths reach into the vast areas of Inverlael, Freevater and Strath Vaich Forests where Beinn Dearg's bouldery, grey dome rises high above neighbouring Munros. Peaks : 6 Munros
Ascent : 2600m (8530ft) Distance : 35km (22m) Time : 13hr |
Creag Rainich from Loch a' Bhraoin | |
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Bagging the grass-covered Corbett hill of Creag Rainich is fairly straightforward if taking a hillwalking route from Loch a' Bhraoin. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 840m (2760ft) Distance : 17km (11m) Time : 5:40hr |
Am Faochagach from Loch Glascarnoch | |
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A direct hillwalking route up Am Faochagach following faint paths for much of the way over soggy ground lower down and ATV tracks higher up on wide grass-covered crests. Peaks : 1 Munro
Ascent : 780m (2560ft) Distance : 15km (9m) Time : 5hr |
Western Fannichs | |
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The 5 Munros in the west of the Fannichs mountain range can be approached from the 'destitution road' by the head of Loch a' Bhraoin. On paths most of the way, much of the route traces ridges above steep sided corries. The route can be extended to bag all 9 Munros in the Fannichs. Peaks : 5 Munros
Ascent : 1840m (6040ft) Distance : 23km (14m) Time : 8:50hr |
