The view of the craggy fortress of Slioch across the waters of Loch Maree is one of the classics of Scotland featured in countless calendars. At close quarters Slioch offers a straightforward but long route of ascent, and a fantastic summit view over the Fisherfield wilderness.
Summary
A long, tough walk with some pathless, rough terrain; nowhere is the route is steep as the mountain's formidable appearance suggests.
Terrain
NH038624
Grid ref
19km/11.75 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Car park signed on left near end of minor road, Incheril
[Map of
start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
Public transport
1. There is a car park at the end of the minor road in Incheril (by Kinlochewe). Leave the car here and head up the steps and through the gate, following the path alongside the fence at first and passing a cemetery. This soon joins up with another track from the centre of Incheril; join this, continuing northwest. When it bends right, keep on the path by the small stream. This heads northwest, eventually coming alongside the broad Kinlochewe river which flows in a wide, gravelly bed, passing through some native woodland. After about a kilometre the path cuts away from the river and reaches the edge of Loch Maree, regarded by many hikers as the most beautiful loch in Scotland.
Photo shows Slioch seen from across Loch Maree from the A832
2. Shortly afterwards the path crosses a bridge over the attractive Abhainn an Fhasaigh, and then forks. The main path is the old Loch Maree drove route; our route is to turn right, gradually climbing towards Gleann Biannasdail. After a few hundred metres a much rougher path branches off left, climbing steeply by two small streams towards the col to the west of Meall Each. This is hard work and the going is boggy. Once you reach the col, climb much more gently round to enter the soggy grass bowl of Coire na Sleaghaich.
Photo: Ted and Jen
3. From here there are various routes on towards the summit which is at the head of the coire. The best is to follow a faint path which makes a rising traverse up the left side of the coire to reach the ridge close to two small attractive lochans. Beyond the lochans the climb becomes steep once more with some rocky ground to reach the gentler but still tiring grassy slopes of the summit plateau.
Photo: Ted and Jen
4. Bypass the 933 metre minor summit to reach the trig point at 980 metres. This is not the true summit of the mountain however; for that, continue for a short distance to reach the northern peak, the true summit of Slioch (meaning the Spear) being a Munro at 981 metres. The view from here is ample reward for all your exertions; the Torridon peaks in the west look fantastic, but it is the view northwards over the Fisherfield and Letterewe Forests that truly takes the breath away.
Photo: Ted and Jen
5. To vary the route back, it is best to follow the path along the east ridge which soon narrows to the fine peak of Sgurr an Tuill Bhain, a top. From here, descend south down into the corrie where the outward route is joined. Follow this back to Kinlochewe - which we found to be a long slog on a hot summer's day.
Photo: Ted and Jen
Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?
Please let us know by using the error report form.
