Beinn a' Bheithir from Ballachulish
Hillwalking route up Sgòrr Dhearg and Sgòrr Dhonuill from Ballachulish, using forestry tracks then grassy and bouldery slopes to Munro summits.
Route outline
| Munros | ||||
| Ascent | 1300m (4260ft) | |||
| Distance | 12km (8m) | |||
| Time | 5:10hr* | |||
| Start/finish | Glenachuilish, Ballachulish Grid Ref : NN047589 | |||
| Terrain |
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| Nav |
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Beinn a' Bheithir is a complex mountain encircling Gleann a' Chaolais just south of Ballachulish, overlooking both Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe.
This is the most direct route onto the massif, beginning on good tracks through forestry into Coire a' Chaolais, which is enclosed by the mountain ridges of Beinn a' Bheithir. The mountain holds two Munro summits - Sgòrr Dhearg and Sgòrr Dhonuill.
Lower down, the route is waymarked and follows forestry tracks and well-maintained paths. Above the trees, mossy - and often wet - ground is crossed, following lines of fence posts to gain the col between the two Munros.
On higher ground, the route consists of two there-and-back sections along the crests, with scree runs on the approach to Sgòrr Dhearg and a short section of easy scrambling near the summit of Sgòrr Dhonuill.
This is the most direct route onto the massif, beginning on good tracks through forestry into Coire a' Chaolais, which is enclosed by the mountain ridges of Beinn a' Bheithir. The mountain holds two Munro summits - Sgòrr Dhearg and Sgòrr Dhonuill.
Lower down, the route is waymarked and follows forestry tracks and well-maintained paths. Above the trees, mossy - and often wet - ground is crossed, following lines of fence posts to gain the col between the two Munros.
On higher ground, the route consists of two there-and-back sections along the crests, with scree runs on the approach to Sgòrr Dhearg and a short section of easy scrambling near the summit of Sgòrr Dhonuill.
Route map
Route description
1. Getting to Glenachuilish
Heading up Gleann a' Chaolais
From the Ballachulish roundabout, head onto the A828 and drive under Ballachulish bridge.
Beyond is the Ballachulish Hotel, and a further 0.5km west a sign-post pointing to Glenachulish marks the start of a narrow tarred road aiming south.Drive up this past several houses (keeping to the left) to a rough car-park hidden in some forestry.
This car-park can be so midge infested in summer !
Beyond is the Ballachulish Hotel, and a further 0.5km west a sign-post pointing to Glenachulish marks the start of a narrow tarred road aiming south.Drive up this past several houses (keeping to the left) to a rough car-park hidden in some forestry.
This car-park can be so midge infested in summer !
2. Bealach between Sgòrr Dhearg and Sgòrr Dhonuill
At the col, looking back down to Ballachulish
Leave the car-park and head directly uphill on the track, past a small hydro building.
You'll meet a bridge off left
, cross this, then once over turn right and head up the track for just under 1km.
The track turns and comes to another junction
. On the other side of the track, a sign points the direction for hillwalkers, aim directly uphill on a path through forest.
Another track is met and crossed, then the path becomes steeper climbing through a gap in the trees, then into dark dense forest. Well constructed with boulders and log edges, the path emerges from the forest, heads through a gate, then follows an old fence line above the plantation edge
.
From here a very wet path continues up a gentle incline to the foot of the bealach, from where it steepens for the climb up to the col at 757m
.
You'll meet a bridge off left
, cross this, then once over turn right and head up the track for just under 1km. The track turns and comes to another junction
. On the other side of the track, a sign points the direction for hillwalkers, aim directly uphill on a path through forest. Another track is met and crossed, then the path becomes steeper climbing through a gap in the trees, then into dark dense forest. Well constructed with boulders and log edges, the path emerges from the forest, heads through a gate, then follows an old fence line above the plantation edge
. From here a very wet path continues up a gentle incline to the foot of the bealach, from where it steepens for the climb up to the col at 757m
.3. Sgòrr Dhearg
Above the col, aiming up Sgòrr Dhearg, Sgòrr Dhonhuill behind
Decision time - which Munro summit is to be tackled first ? I'm not sure why, by I tend to aim for Sgòrr Dhearg.
As you'll be returning to the bealach, you might, depending on conditions, want to leave your rucksack or some of your other gear here.
So, from the bealach, turn left (east), uphill and follow an obvious path over grassy ground. Higher up the grass gives way to boulder-field and scree, but there's a path zig-zagging a route through this all the way to Sgòrr Dhearg's summit
. Wonderful views down the east ridge of Beinn a' Bheithir to the Pap of Glencoe and beyond.
As you'll be returning to the bealach, you might, depending on conditions, want to leave your rucksack or some of your other gear here.
So, from the bealach, turn left (east), uphill and follow an obvious path over grassy ground. Higher up the grass gives way to boulder-field and scree, but there's a path zig-zagging a route through this all the way to Sgòrr Dhearg's summit
. Wonderful views down the east ridge of Beinn a' Bheithir to the Pap of Glencoe and beyond.4. Sgòrr Dhonuill
Descending Sgòrr Dhearg towards Sgòrr Dhonuill
Return to the bealach between the Munro summits , then continue west steeply uphill following a path over grass. The ground levels out and terrain underfoot becomes more bouldery.
The path follows Sgòrr Dhonuill's narrow crest with sharp drops north into the northern coire, so take a bit of care as progress is made across the boulders. The terrain steepens and the path twists northwards and becomes a bit exposed - at this point, look to the left slightly and a route can be traced over large boulders to a nick just below the summit. A little bit of easy scrambling is needed to reach above the nick (note this bit for descent) and Sgòrr Dhonuill's summit cairn
quickly appears.
Walk a little to the west of the cairn to get superb views to Sunart, Morven and Mull.
, then continue west steeply uphill following a path over grass. The ground levels out and terrain underfoot becomes more bouldery. The path follows Sgòrr Dhonuill's narrow crest with sharp drops north into the northern coire, so take a bit of care as progress is made across the boulders. The terrain steepens and the path twists northwards and becomes a bit exposed - at this point, look to the left slightly and a route can be traced over large boulders to a nick just below the summit. A little bit of easy scrambling is needed to reach above the nick (note this bit for descent) and Sgòrr Dhonuill's summit cairn
quickly appears. Walk a little to the west of the cairn to get superb views to Sunart, Morven and Mull.
5. Return to Glenachuilish
Descending Sgòrr Dhonhuill
The most straightforward descent is to retrace your steps back. Finding the top of the nick is tricky (especially in mist) as there is also a direct and very exposed route that continues eastwards (best avoided).
Return to the bealach and head back down to Glenachuilish the way you came up.
Return to the bealach
and head back down to Glenachuilish the way you came up.GPX downloads and maps
Paper maps:
OS Landranger 41
OS Explorer 384
Harvey Mountain Map, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe
Route profile
Weather forecasts
| Regional | MWIS - Western Highlands |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Glencoe Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes
Beinn a' Bheithir via Schoolhouse Ridge | |
|
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Ascent : 1350m (4430ft) Distance : 14km (9m) Time : 5:45hr* | |
Aonach Eagach traverse | |
|
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Sgùrr na h-Ulaidh from Glencoe | |
|
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Fraochaidh from Duror | |
|
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Màm na Gualainn from Callert on Loch Leven | |
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Ascent : 800m (2620ft) Distance : 6km (4m) Time : 3hr* | |
* Times shown are estimates – see timing notes on the disclaimer page for more information.
