Distance 11 miles (17.5km)
Classification Challenging
Duration 8 hours
Begins Coire Dubh Mor car park
OS grid reference NG958569
Walk in a nutshell
Well-worn mountain paths and tracks line much of this challenging route which climbs over the peaks of Beinn Eighe, including its two Munros (Scottish mountains higher than 3000ft) of Ruadh Stac Mor and Spidean Coire nan Clach. The walk also visits the exquisite Coire Mhic Fhearchair, and the views across much of the north-west Highlands are quite spectacular. Although not the longest, the route is tough, even for the fittest of walkers. Real care is required in misty or wintry weather.
Why it's so special
The geology of Torridon is some of the oldest in the world, with a number of the rocks believed to date back 2,600 million years. This demanding route is a true classic of mountaineering. The glaciated corrie of Coire Mhic Fhearchair has to be seen to be believed.
Keep your eyes peeled for
The ancient woodland of Beinn Eighe national nature reserve is home to Scottish crossbill, red squirrels, roe deer and pine martin. Out on the mountain slopes tiny, arctic and alpine plants cling to the rock, and mountain hare, red deer and ptarmigan bear the brunt of everything the weather can throw at them.
Recover afterwards
Picture postcard is a phrase used too often but it is entirely apt when describing the location of the Tigh an Eilean . It's located in the beautiful village of Shieldaig.
If it's tipping down
The Beinn Eighe visitor centre, at the base of the mountain, will tell you everything there is to know about Britian's first national nature reserve.
How to get there
The nearest station is Achnasheen, about 12 miles from the start of the walk.
Step by step
1 Coire Mhic Fhearchair is accessed from the car park in the middle of Glen Torridon, where Coire Dubh Mor provides a route through, between the complex topography of Beinn Eighe and Liathach. A good path climbs the hillside and then heads through the gap at an easier angle.
2 Where the path forks go right and follow this as it traverses north then east around the flanks of Sail Mhor, Beinn Eighe's north-western peak. Explore the corrie and the lochside environs for a while before starting your ascent.
3 A mountain path continues upwards beside the pools and streams that feed the lochan. The path climbs steeply up scree towards what at first looks like an intimidating shallow gully leading through the rocks to a notch at the back left side of the coire. The angle is not so severe, though, and with care the going is fine.
4 The ensuing walk out north to Ruadh Stac Mor (1,010m) is a delight and the first of Beinn Eighe's two Munros is overcome.
5 Return to the col then ascend the path south-east up the other side on to the main ridge and follow this east around the head of another great corrie, all the way to the trig point on Spidean Coire nan Clach. The high point (993m) of this Munro lies 200m to the north-east where another astonishing spectacle awaits.
6 Once back at the trig point, descend due south then drop off the spur into Coire an Laoigh and follow the path down to the main road (A896). Turn right, where a 1.5-mile walk leads back to the car park.
