An Teallach

The mountain

An Teallach rises south of Little Loch Broom in the Northwest Highlands, above Dundonnell. It is a massif rather than a single peak: Bidein a’ Ghlas Thuill is the high point at 1,062m, while Sgùrr Fiona reaches 1,059m. Both are Munros.

The mountain is built largely from Torridonian sandstone. Its layered, terraced slopes give way high up to steep gullies, rocky ridges and the pinnacles of Corrag Bhuidhe above Loch Toll an Lochain. The Scottish Gaelic name is commonly translated as “the forge” or “the anvil.”

Choose the right objective

There are two fundamentally different ways to experience An Teallach.

• The northern ascent from Dundonnell: a steep, demanding out-and-back route to Bidein a’ Ghlas Thuill, with the option to continue to Sgùrr Fiona. It gives the key summit views without committing to the pinnacles.
• The full ridge traverse: a long, technical circuit across Sàil Liath, Corrag Bhuidhe and the two Munros. It includes exposed scrambling and is for experienced, well-equipped mountain parties in suitable conditions.

From Bidein a’ Ghlas Thuill, the view into Coire Toll an Lochain and along the pinnacled ridge to Sgùrr Fiona is the defining scene. A return the same way is a sound plan; reaching a Munro does not require crossing the technical crest.

Getting there and navigation

The usual Dundonnell start is a large lay-by on the A832, about 250m east of the Dundonnell Hotel. A path climbs behind the roadside houses, then follows the lower slopes towards Coir’ a’ Mhuilinn. The full Dundonnell circuit is about 20km, with roughly 1,415m of ascent and a typical walking time of 9–10 hours.

Use OS Explorer 435, An Teallach & Slioch, plus compass and competent navigation. Paths can be indistinct or eroded, and the upper ground is bouldery, loose in places and difficult to read in cloud. Road access is remote; do not assume services at the start.

Ridge safety

The direct Corrag Bhuidhe traverse involves serious exposure and scrambling. Lord Berkeley’s Seat and the pinnacles are not a routine extension of a hill walk. A bypass exists, but it still crosses exposed, eroded mountain ground.

Avoid the ridge in strong wind, poor visibility, wet rock, snow or ice unless you have the appropriate winter mountaineering skills. Carry waterproof layers, insulation, food, water, a head torch and emergency equipment. In the stalking season, observe any access notices at the approach points.

Timing

A clear, dry summer day with a stable mountain forecast is the sensible window for most visitors. Start early: steep ground, route-finding and the scale of the circuit slow progress. In winter, the ridge becomes a full mountaineering proposition, not a snow-covered version of a summer walk.