Liathach in Torridon

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Getting to Glen Torridon

• Torridon is a small village, some 10miles west of Loch Maree in the north-west highlands. The A896 (which is single track) travels the length of Glen Torridon to the village. This route up Liathach starts from the west side of a burn on the A896, 700m east of the cottage in Glen Torridon. There is plenty of roadside parking nearby.

Spidean a'Choire Leith

• From the roadside, a well constructed path heads up the side of the burn. Head up this path and cross the burn just a minute or two after setting off ! Further up, hands are needed to clamber up a couple of granny-stoppers.
• The path heads steeply uphill as it hugs the eastern side of the burn and heads into Toll a'Meitheach. Eventually the constructed path finishes at around c400m, from where on a worn path continues through heather, over small loose boulders and up fine scree.
• Up to the base of the dark sandstone terraces, the path takes a sudden right turn. It is at this point that the SMC guidebook suggests a possible alternative route, which makes a direct ascent to Spidean a'Choire Leith. I would not recommend taking this option, since you'll end up clambering up wet pathless grass, slipping as you zig-zag trying to find a route up, over and between the terraces. Better to take the right turn and follow the obvious path, steep in bits, up to the ridge near Bidean Toll a'Mhuic.
• The views start to open up. Turn left (west) and follow a path along the crest.
• This is narrow in bits before reaching the boulders on the start of the climb up to Stob a'Choire Liath Mhor. Just when you think you've arrived at this top, there's just a bit more.
• From this top, there's a short drop, then a climb up quartzite blocks to reach the pyramid summit of Spidean a'Choire Leith. This is a fantastic spot to take in the views.

Am Fasarinen

• From the summit head south-west directly for the start of the Am Fasarinen pinnacles. Do not be persuaded by a path that heads of right (west), keep to the bouldery crest right down to the short bealach.
• At this bealach there's some dramatic rock gaps to the right - a good spot to frame Beinn Dearg in a photo. You'll also pick up a path again.
• The pinnacles now need to be crossed or by-passed. Am Fasarinen Pinnacles are great fun, and not overly difficult to climb over, just stick to the crests with the linking paths. Be warned that these peaks are made of sandstone and the rock is crumbly and loose in bits (I have had a couple of minor falls here due to the unstability of the rock).
• If the weather is wet or windy, then the fun is lost and taking the by-pass path is to be recommended. The by-pass path is however vertigo-inducing, so great care is needed, particularly at two points where the path swings back into the mountain-side and errosion has taken its toll. Ground here has weathered and worn away and is often damp, which causes major problems particularly if iced over.

Mullach an Rathain

• After coming off the end of the Am Fasarinen Pinnacles, a small cairn is reached. The scrambling is over and some will find relief that hands can be put back into pockets for an easy saunter onwards.
• A path is followed over a delightful grassy expanse to the edge of coire.
• The crest the nnarrows and terrain gets a bit more bouldery for the last pull up to Mullach an Rathain.
• On clear days the summit is a superb spot to stay for a while looking at all the peaks.

Return

• From Mullach an Rathain's summit, head west for a few metres, where a cairn marks the descent start. This descent is rough and loose on the pink sandstone gravel - an excellent scree-run if you like going fast, zig-zagging quickly downhill.
• Once grass below is reached, a burn is crossed and the ground gets a bit sodden.
• Your feet will probably remain dry up this point, but expect to get wet feet and mucky legs on the remainder of the descent down to the road. At time of writing, the NTS are doing path-maintenance on this section of the route.
• As you walk along the road back to the carpark, you'll have time to admire the mountain that's just been climbed over.

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More photos are on Flickr !

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Meall Dearg and the Northern Pinnacles »

Meall Dearg is connected to Liathach's main ridge via a spur from Mullach an Rathain. This connection is called the Northern Pinnacles and, as the name suggests, involves some scrambling and rock-climbing. However it is possible to climb up to Meall Dearg and then reach the main ridge avoiding this difficulty.

Liathach - adding in Stuc a'Choire Dhuibh Bhig »

Sgurr a'Choire Dhuibh Bhig is a minor 'Top' on the eastern end of the Liathach ridge. The views from its summit are superb and well worth the detour from the main ridge. Alternatively it can be climbed directly from the Ling Hut car-park, which involves some route finding once off the main path.

Liathach from Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg »

If you're out on Beinn Alligin and/or Beinn Dearg and you fancy extending the day, then there is an easy ascent route from the foot of these hills up Liathach. The distance, ascent and time quoted above is in addition to the hiking involved on Beinn Alligin or Beinn Dearg.

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	Beinn Eighe Lots of varied route choices over rocky and bouldery summits. Coire Mhic Fhearchair is simply stunning
	Slioch Majestic and appearing quite impenetrable, Slioch is actually easily accessed from Loch Maree
	Coulin Forest North Often when the tops of the Torridon Giants are sulking in mist, the nearby Corbett peaks of Sgurr Dubh and Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine will be cloud free.
	Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg Beinn Alligin's sandstone terraces are split by the dramatic Eag Dhubh. Some fine scrambling to be enjoyed
	Flowerdale Corbetts A long route in made easy by a fine cycleable track. Two superb Corbett hills with unique views of the surrounding Torridon giants.
	Beinn Damh A dramatic little peak. Ideal for a fairly relaxed afternoon's ascent, the main route up is pathed and easier than it looks.

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Forecasts

Liathach on Mountain-Forecast Liathach on YR Liathach on Met Office MWIS - North West Highlands Scottish Avalance Information Service - Torridon Scottish Midge Forecast XCWeather - UK Winds

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We guide over Liathach as part of a 3-day event on the Torridon Giants, more information is here.

Alternatively, if you would like a bespoke day or two hiking over these peaks, we would be delighted to organise something for you and your group. Check out our Bespoke Guiding page for more information.

Contact

Steven Fallon
31 Argyle Place
Edinburgh EH9 1JT

info@stevenfallon.co.uk

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