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Beinn Eighe - The Munros & Sail Mhor, Torridon

Highland Walk

County/Area - Highland - Central Highland

Author - Stephen Boulton

Length - 13.0 miles / 21.1 km    Ascent - 4900 feet / 1485 metres

Time - 11 hours 20 minutes    Grade - hard

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Ordnance Survey Explorer 433Sheet Map1:25kBUY
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Ordnance Survey Landranger 19Sheet Map1:50kBUY
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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Beinn Eighe - The Munros & Sail Mhor, Torridon
Click image to see photo description.

This walk is about 18 km or 13 miles, mostly over rocky terrain when up high. It should be saved for a clear day as the ridge is spectacular and the views of Liathach, Glen Torridon and the surrounding mountains should not be missed. This route is extracted from the summary of routes contained in Walk 2116 which also contains the photos and summary map showing the main options.

The start is the car park near the bridge over the Allt a'Choire Dhuibh Mhor (grid ref. NG958568) in Glen Torridon. This burn runs between Liathach and Beinn Eighe before passing under the road. Follow the signposted path to the Coire Mhic Nobuil. This curves north and heads between the east end of Liathach on your left and the west end of Beinn Eighe on the right.

Shortly before the Lochan a'Choire Dhuibh head right (north) on a path which contours around the base of Sail Mhor on your right to reach the outflow of the Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair. Climb up the stone path to reach the loch, whereupon is revealed the great sight of the Triple Buttress of Beinn Eighe, across the loch under the summit of Coinneach Mhor. This is a great place to stop for a break, a remote and peaceful location.

Cross the loch outflow and head around the east side of the loch, following the path which brings you to below the Triple Buttress before it strikes off left and climbs past several other lochans to reach the foot of a scree slope up to the ridge. It may be easier to scramble up the rocks to the right of the scree slope rather than up the scree itself. It looks steep when first viewed from beside the loch outflow, but up closer it's an easy scramble.

Upon reaching the ridge admire the view ahead to Spidean Coire nan Clach, the second of Beinn Eighe's two Munros, before turning left to head up the short distance, about 1 km over easy ground, to reach Ruadh-stac Mor, the other Munro. From here fine views north are unveiled, across to Coigach in the north and Slioch round to the north east. Retrace your steps to the bealach where you emerged from the scree scramble.

Then climb ahead of you (south) to reach a cairn just to the east of Coinneach Mhor. Turn right and walk to the actual summit of Coinneach Mhor and on around to the top of Sail Mhor which is a Munro Top. After enjoying the splendid view, retrace your steps to the cairn just east of Coinneach Mhor before continuing the walk eastwards along the main ridge of Beinn Eighe. Superb views of the back of Liathach emerge on your right, well worth stopping to have a look at.

The rocky ridge undulates but it is fairly easy going to rise to Spidean Coire nan Clach. The trig point is not at the highest point of this Munro. Descend south east from here into Coire an Laoigh, and join the path that will bring you out on road. Turn right along the road and the start is about 3 km along the road.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2593 Liathach, Glen Torridonvery hard8.5 miles
Walk 1305 Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe from Kinlochewehard7.5 miles
Walk 1347 Meall a' Ghiubhais from Kinlochewemoderate8.0 miles
Walk 1344 Beinn Alligin & Sgurr Mormod/hard6.0 miles
Walk 2468 The Falls of Glomach from Morvichmoderate7.5 miles
Walk 2106 Ullapool - a Munro Quartet including Beinn Deargvery hard16.0 miles
Walk 1018 Beinn Ghobhlachmoderate6.0 miles
Walk 1886 Carn a' Bhealaich Mhoireasy/mod8.0 miles
Walk 1781 Loch Affric Circularmoderate11.0 miles
Walk 1789 Mam Sodhail & Carn Eighehard14.4 miles

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