Beinn Eighe

The mountain at a glance

Beinn Eighe is a long, complicated massif between Loch Maree and Glen Torridon in the north-west Highlands. Its highest summit, Ruadh-stac Mòr, reaches 1,010 metres; Spidean Coire nan Clach, at 993 metres, is the other Munro. This is mountain country, not a single easy-to-reach viewpoint: the ridges, corries and summits demand proper hillwalking judgement.

The mountain is visually distinctive. Torridonian sandstone forms much of its bulk, while a cap of pale quartzite breaks into light-coloured scree and crags high on the ridge.

Start at the reserve

The northern side forms much of Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, established in 1951. It runs from the shore of Loch Maree to the mountain tops and includes Coille na Glas Leitir, an ancient Scots pinewood. Some of its old seed pines are more than 350 years old.

For a lower-level introduction, use the signed trails from the reserve’s car park off the A832 near Kinlochewe:

• Woodland Trail: about 1.5 km through pinewood.
• Mountain Trail: a 6.5 km circuit, normally allowing three to four hours. It climbs from the woods to an exposed quartzite plateau, rather than to a Munro summit.
• All-ability trails: three short routes are open year-round.

The visitor centre near Kinlochewe is seasonal, generally open from Easter to October.

The serious mountain route

The classic western circuit links both Munros via Coire Mhic Fhearchair. It is roughly 18 km, with around 1,100 metres of ascent and a typical walking time of seven to nine hours. The terrain is steep, rocky and rough; the descent from the ridge into the corrie uses a very steep, eroded scree gully.

From the corrie floor, look up to the Triple Buttress, three imposing rock faces above Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair. It is Beinn Eighe’s clearest large-scale landmark and a strong reason to include the corrie even when you are not attempting the full ridge.

Access and mountain conditions

Reach the reserve from the A832 or A896; Kinlochewe is the practical nearby base. The reserve trails and the high mountain are different outings. The former are waymarked, but the Mountain Trail becomes steep, rocky and exposed above the trees. The Munro circuit requires a map, navigation competence, robust boots, waterproof layers and enough daylight.

Important: quartzite, scree and rock slabs become hazardous when wet, icy or cloud-covered. In winter, summer walking routes may require winter mountaineering equipment and skills. Keep clear of fenced gorge edges on the Mountain Trail, and do not disturb wildlife or old pinewood regeneration.