Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh from Carbreck
Hillwalking route up Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh from Carbreck following a track to climb grassy slopes to the rocky crests of the twin peaks.
Route outline
| Corbetts | ||||
| Ascent | 1050m (3440ft) | |||
| Distance | 13km (8m) | |||
| Time | 5:00hr* | |||
| Start/finish | Carbreck, Durness Grid Ref : NC332592 | |||
| Terrain |
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| Nav |
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| Effort |
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| Scenery |
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Rising above broad grassy slopes, Cranstackie and its neighbour Beinn Spionnaidh form the most northerly high ground on the mainland of Scotland, their upper reaches capped with pale quartzite.
This is one of two direct routes to the summits, approaching from Carbreck a few miles south of Durness. A fine track leads to the base of the hills, making this the more popular option, though arguably not the more scenic.
Beyond the track, grassy slopes rise to quartzite boulderfield-covered crests, where navigation can prove tricky in mist. The summits are unmistakable, however, marked by a trig point on Beinn Spionnaidh and a well-defined cairn on Cranstackie, both perched above significant drops.
This is one of two direct routes to the summits, approaching from Carbreck a few miles south of Durness. A fine track leads to the base of the hills, making this the more popular option, though arguably not the more scenic.
Beyond the track, grassy slopes rise to quartzite boulderfield-covered crests, where navigation can prove tricky in mist. The summits are unmistakable, however, marked by a trig point on Beinn Spionnaidh and a well-defined cairn on Cranstackie, both perched above significant drops.
Route map
Route description
1. Getting to Carbreck
Farm buildings at Rhigolter
Around 12km south of Durness and approximately halfway between Rhiconich and Durness, a house (marked Carbreck on the OS map) sits in open moorland on the A838 and looks directly over Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh. Opposite the house, a private track heads down to the River Dionard.
In the past here didn't seem to be any objection to parking in front of the shed just north of the house, but there is now a parking area for a few cars near the top of the track.
In the past here didn't seem to be any objection to parking in front of the shed just north of the house, but there is now a parking area for a few cars near the top of the track.
2. Beinn Spionnaidh
Beinn Spionnaidh's summit trig point
From Carbreck, head down the track towards Rhigolter and cross the River Dionard via a bridge 
. Further on, pass the buildings at Rhigolter 
then a house and outbuildings to reach a gate. Through the gate, the track becomes rougher as it continues for another 500m or so to its end by another smaller shed 
.
Now on open hillside, head uphill over ferns and grass tussocks aiming south-east following the northern bank of the Allt Chalbhach Coire. Once into Calbhach Coire, cross the burn onto its southern side. The ground steepens as a clamber up grassy ground is made while aiming for the wet, grassy bealach
above.
From the bealach climb initially north-east, then north-north-east on pleasant grassy ground. Beinn Spionnaidh's boulderfield is reached at around c700m
, from where continue with care over this to reach the south-western end of the bouldery summit plateau.
Beinn Spionnaidh's summit is now around 500m away in a north-east direction
. The summit indicator consists of a trig point encircled by a stone shelter overlooking drops to the north.
. Further on, pass the buildings at Rhigolter
then a house and outbuildings to reach a gate. Through the gate, the track becomes rougher as it continues for another 500m or so to its end by another smaller shed .
Now on open hillside, head uphill over ferns and grass tussocks aiming south-east following the northern bank of the Allt Chalbhach Coire. Once into Calbhach Coire, cross the burn onto its southern side. The ground steepens as a clamber up grassy ground is made while aiming for the wet, grassy bealach
above.
From the bealach climb initially north-east, then north-north-east on pleasant grassy ground. Beinn Spionnaidh's boulderfield is reached at around c700m
, from where continue with care over this to reach the south-western end of the bouldery summit plateau.
Beinn Spionnaidh's summit is now around 500m away in a north-east direction
. The summit indicator consists of a trig point encircled by a stone shelter overlooking drops to the north.3. Cranstackie
Path up Cranstackie from the bealach
Retrace your steps along Beinn Spionnaidh's quartzite bouldery crest and descend down its south-western shoulder to return to the bealach above Calbhach Coire.
Cross the soggy bealach, then pick a faint path heading up Cranstackie's north-eastern shoulder. This grass-covered shoulder narrows, then broadens higher up. A bit further up
, grass is replaced by more boulderfield and the path disappears for the final pull up to Cranstackie's summit 
.
Cranstackie's top is marked with a cairn perched above a short precipitous drop to the north-west. Stunning views in all directions !
above Calbhach Coire.
Cross the soggy bealach, then pick a faint path heading up Cranstackie's north-eastern shoulder. This grass-covered shoulder narrows, then broadens higher up. A bit further up
, grass is replaced by more boulderfield and the path disappears for the final pull up to Cranstackie's summit .
Cranstackie's top is marked with a cairn perched above a short precipitous drop to the north-west. Stunning views in all directions !
4. Return
Returning along Cranstackie, Beinn Spionnaidh ahead
Return to the bealach above Calbhach Coire and retrace your route back to Carbreck.
above Calbhach Coire and retrace your route back to Carbreck.GPX downloads and maps
Paper maps:
OS Landranger 9
OS Explorer 446
Route profile
Weather forecasts
| Peak specific | YR.no |
| Met Office | |
| Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
| Windy.com | |
| Seasonal | |
| Midge forecast | |
Alternative and nearby routes
Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh from Loch Eriboll | |
|
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Ascent : 1025m (3360ft) Distance : 11km (7m) Time : 4:30hr* | |
Foinaven and Arkle from Loch Stack | |
|
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Reay Forest Corbetts from Lone | |
|
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Ascent : 2550m (8370ft) Distance : 31km (19m) Time : 12hr* | |
Ben Hope from Strath More | |
|
Hillwalking route up Ben Hope via a path up its southern shoulder from Strath More. Alternatives include from Dùn Dornaigil broch or the north ridge scramble. Peaks : 1 Munro
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* Times shown are estimates – see timing notes on the disclaimer page for more information.
