Beinn na h-Eaglaise from Loch Torridon

Path in woodland above Loch Torridon

Torridon is a small village at the northern head of Loch Torridon sitting around halfway on the A896 which travels from Lochcarron to Kinlochewe, part of the famed NC500 route (note that much of the A896 is single track road).

On the southern side of the loch is Annat and the Torridon Hotel. Parking for this route is available by the entrance to the hotel and by its Beinn Bar which is an excellent place to return after a hike up Beinn na h-Eaglaise to relax and mull the day over a pint.

Beinn na h-Eaglaise from the junction in the paths

Start from the parking area below the Beinn Bar in Torridon. Facing the building, head to its left and follow the signposts toward a bridge over the Allt Coire Roill. Just across the bridge, a three-way junction is reached - take the left turn here, indicated by a sign, onto a rough, pine-needle-strewn track.

The path climbs between felled rhododendron bushes, soon reaching a gate in a tall deer fence by the A896. Pass through, cross the road, and continue along a well-constructed path into beautiful Scots Pine woodland.

After gaining around 100m of elevation, listen for the sound of a tumbling waterfall. In summer, it can be hidden behind thick undergrowth, but there's a small viewpoint nearby. Be cautious - tree roots crossing the path can be slippery when wet.

Shortly after the waterfall, the trail exits the forest and reaches a junction at around the 200m contour. Take the left fork here. Although less built-up than the Beinn Damh path, it's quieter and still easy to follow.

Continue to where the path nears a deep gorge - this is a good viewpoint. To cross the river, head upstream along a faint path for about 100m until you find a suitable ford. On the far bank, pick up another faint path and follow it downstream roughly 100m to rejoin a more defined path.

From here, the path climbs gently southeast, leaving the pines behind. After about 500m, cross through a line of old fence posts. Another 500m on , the track briefly fades as it crosses a broad sandstone slab - the path continues into Coire Roill, but to climb Beinn na h-Eaglaise, leave it here and aim eastward toward the lochan that sits west of the summit.

The off-path terrain is generally kind underfoot - stunted heather, short grass, and sandstone terraces, with small bluffs to weave between. On reaching the lochan , several lines of ascent present themselves. A direct route climbs terraces to the left of a heather-filled gap, leading to the northern top of Beinn na h-Eaglaise, where a small cairn marks the spot and views over Coulin and Torridon open up beautifully.

Beinn na h-Eaglaise's summit from its northern top

Beinn na h-Eaglaise's summit from its northern top

Bothy just below Beinn na h-Eaglaise's summit

About 200m south of the summit, nestled into the hillside, you might spot a small, locked bothy (NG909921) - solidly built and well hidden. Its purpose isn't immediately obvious - perhaps someone knows ?

From the bothy, descend over heather initially westwards by twisting between crags and sandstone steps, dropping to the lochans below. The slope then eases and after reaching the lower and larger lochan, the route turns southwest, with Beinn Damh dominating the skyline ahead.

On the path in Coire Roill, Beinn Alligin ahead

On the path in Coire Roill, Beinn Alligin ahead