Beinn an Eòin and Baosbheinn

Hillwalking route over the Corbetts above Flowerdale Forest near Torridon. A superb circular over Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin with stunning coastal views.



Route outline

Corbetts

Baosbheinn, 

Beinn an Eòin

Ascent 1575m (5160ft)
Distance 23km (14m)
Time 8:25hr*
Start/finish Am Feur-Loch, Loch Maree
Grid Ref : NG857721
Terrain
easyhard
Nav
easyhard
Effort
easyhard
Scenery
okfab
In Wester Ross, just north of the dramatic Torridon mountains, lie the quieter and more rounded hills of Flowerdale Forest. Less imposing in stature, they are nonetheless beautifully situated, with elegant profiles and wide-reaching views.

Approaching from the north on a fine but rough track - cyclable for much of the 8km journey to Loch na h-Oidhche - the route continues on foot in a circular line over grass, heather and occasional boulderfields to link the two Corbetts, with fine views from their broad summit crests.

Taken as a whole, this is quite possibly my favourite bike-and-hike route in the Highlands, though it may help that every visit so far has been blessed with fine weather.

For those wishing to spend more time exploring the area, backpacking makes a natural option. Note that the remote bothy at the southern end of Loch na h-Oidhche is reserved for private use by Gairloch Estate.

Route map

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Route description


1. Getting to Am Feur-loch

The start by Am Feur-loch

The start by Am Feur-loch

On the A832, 7km south-east of Gairloch, and a couple km west of Loch Maree is Loch Bad an Sgalaig. The road merges from single track to a recently upgraded and widened section, just by which is an old green hut by Am Feur-loch.

By the hut there is a parking area from where the route to Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eòin begins from.

2. Near Loch na h-Oidhche

On the track in, Flowerdale peaks in view

On the track in, Flowerdale peaks in view

On the opposite side of the road from the green hut, a wooden shelter and notice board stand beside a bridge over the Uidh Phlubach. Cross the bridge and aim down the track. The OS Landranger and Explorer map conflict each other, with one suggesting a path, the other a track - it is in fact a rough track appropriate for mountain-bike use.

Continue down the track for around 3km and you'll come to a junction in the track - keep left (east). Just over 1km further on, through a gate, you'll pass a large erratic boulder used as shooting-parties grouse stone in years gone by.

Beinn an Eòin and the Grouse Stone

Beinn an Eòin and the Grouse Stone

Cross the Abhainn Loch na h-Oidhche , to reach a point around 300m or so further on where the ground begins to level out.

Beinn an Eòin and the Grouse Stone

Beinn an Eòin and the Grouse Stone


3. Beinn an Eoin

Beinn an Eòin's summit from the north-west

Beinn an Eòin's summit from the north-west

Leave the track and aim south-east over grass and heather to a gap to the north of some cliffs ahead. Climb up this, it's fairly steep, but there are no difficulties clambering up the heather.

As the ascent gradually becomes more gentle, the heather gives way to grass with occasional boulders as Beinn an Eòin's long and wide crest is met and walked along.

On Beinn an Eòin's summit looking over Loch Maree to Beinn AiRìgh Charr

On Beinn an Eòin's summit looking over Loch Maree to Beinn AiRìgh Charr

The walk southwards along Beinn an Eòin's crest is delightful with a few ups-and-downs. One final pull uphill and eventually Beinn an Eòin's summit crest is gained with the highest point at the southern end of this. A small cairn rests here from where stunning views over the neighbouring Torridon peaks and unique aspect of Coire Mhic Fhearchair in Beinn Eighe can be savoured.

On Beinn an Eòin's summit looking over Loch Maree to Beinn AiRìgh Charr

On Beinn an Eòin's summit looking over Loch Maree to Beinn AiRìgh Charr


4. Baosbheinn

Baosbheinn from Loch na h-Oidhche

Baosbheinn from Loch na h-Oidhche

Return along the ridge for around 200m, then turn south-west and drop directly following the fall-line on heather clad slopes. It's fairly rough going, pathless and quite steep, but before you know it, you'll have met with the track again, close to Poca Buidhe Bothy by the southern end of Loch na h-Oidhche . The bothy is for private use by the estate, but there are seats outside to relax and before the climb up Baosbheinn begins.

Cross the soggy ground around the southern shores of Loch na h-Oidhche, then start trudging uphill through more heather.

Higher up, faint paths can be traced when on the crest of Ceann Beag, the most easterly peak on Baosbheinn. This little summit at 705m can be bypassed on its southern aspect before dropping to a bealach.

Terrain is now a mixture of grass and sandstone boulders and stones. Ahead is another minor summit, unnamed and at 806m . Much of this will need ascending before perhaps bypassing its top and dropping around 100m to another col.

On Baosbheinn looking to Beinn an Eòin and Slioch

On Baosbheinn looking to Beinn an Eòin and Slioch

Ahead is a fairly gentle climb to Baosbheinn's main summit, Sgòrr Dubh with a small cairn and stunning views !

On Baosbheinn looking to Beinn an Eòin and Slioch

On Baosbheinn looking to Beinn an Eòin and Slioch


5. Return to Am Feur-loch

Descending Baosbheinn

Descending Baosbheinn

From Baosbheinn's summit, initially head northwards. There's a bit of steep ground as as the route turns north-east and drops down onto delightfully grass covered slopes. You could head directly into An Reidh-choire, but I kept roughly north-north-east for around 1km, before turning north-west, then northwards to drop to the Allt an Reidh-choire .

Bounding north-east over fairly stunted heather and moss, the Abhainn Loch na h- Oidhche is met and crossed, to then reach the track close to where it was previously left for the ascent up Beinn an Eòin.

Once on the track, retrace the route your rouute in back to the roadside by Am Feur-loch.






GPX downloads and maps

Paper maps:
OS Landranger 19
OS Explorer 433
Harvey Mountain Map, Torridon



Route profile




Weather forecasts




Alternative and nearby routes

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Beinn Eighe in Torridon

Beinn Eighe in Torridon has 7 peaks with 2 Munros. This hillwalking route also visits its finest feature, Coire Mhic Fhearchair, and its famed Triple Buttress.

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Meall a' Ghiubhais and Ruadh-stac Beag

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Letterewe Corbetts from Poolewe

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Ascent : 2775m (9100ft)
Distance : 46km (29m)
Time : 16:10hr*



* Times shown are estimates – see timing notes on the disclaimer page for more information.



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