Beinn Eighe and Torridon Recommendations

[livin42]

Hi everyone,

I am preparing for a trip with my girlfriend in mid-August, and we've decided that we would really like to do some backpacking/wild camping for a 2-3 day (on the trail) trip in the Highlands. We will be coming into Inverness, and then will have a car to get to whichever trails we decide to do. I'm coming from the US, and I've been trying for some time to nail down a fun and rewarding hike with some views, but one that's not going to be insanely difficult, and let us enjoy the geography and landscapes.

As I've read through online posts and guidebooks, the Torridon region looks beautiful, and in particular, Beinn Eighe has really caught my eye. It looks like a challenging climb, but one that has a well-established path, and a bit of scrambling on the scree shoot to make things interesting.

My questions are as follows:

1) How is the trail? Is it pretty well established?

2) I have read a fair bit about the route, but do you have details on what might be potentially dangerous or difficult parts of the trail?

3) Is this a trail that can be broken into two day easily? (I was reading of some flat grassy areas for pitching a tent)

4) Are there other great hikes in the region (preferably loops as we need to get back to our car) that we could do in a 2-3 day time that we could look into?

Looking forward to hearing from you, and getting feedback!

-Livin42

[BobMcBob]

1. The path on the usual route from the Coire Dubh car park is reasonably obvious but there are sections where it isn't. As with all routes in Scotland, you must have a decent map and know how to read it.

2. In bad weather, any section of it could prove difficult or dangerous. Again, this is where the ability to navigate is essential. In good weather it's a beautiful walk. The scree chute might be tricky if you're carrying a heavy pack, and there's a boulder field at the bottom of it that needs to be crossed which requires some balancing.

3. Most people do the 'standard' route easily in a day, without carrying the weight of camping gear. There is a large, flat-ish grassy area around the top of Coinneach Mhor, overlooking Coire Mhic Fhearchair which would make a wonderful spot for a high camp.

4. The region is stuffed full of wonderful hikes. Look at Beinn Alligin as well, it's probably a better mountain even than Beinn EIghe, and another where a summit camp would make a decent 2-day outing.

HTH

[livin42]

1. The path on the usual route from the Coire Dubh car park is reasonably obvious but there are sections where it isn't. As with all routes in Scotland, you must have a decent map and know how to read it.

2. In bad weather, any section of it could prove difficult or dangerous. Again, this is where the ability to navigate is essential. In good weather it's a beautiful walk. The scree chute might be tricky if you're carrying a heavy pack, and there's a boulder field at the bottom of it that needs to be crossed which requires some balancing.

3. Most people do the 'standard' route easily in a day, without carrying the weight of camping gear. There is a large, flat-ish grassy area around the top of Coinneach Mhor, overlooking Coire Mhic Fhearchair which would make a wonderful spot for a high camp.

4. The region is stuffed full of wonderful hikes. Look at Beinn Alligin as well, it's probably a better mountain even than Beinn EIghe, and another where a summit camp would make a decent 2-day outing.

HTH

Hi BobMcBob!

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me your insights. When you refer to the "usual route," is that the loop that is referred to in this post about the western summits?

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinneighe.shtml

Either way, it sounds like it'll be a great hike for us, and I'll definitely be looking into Beinn Alligin tonight and the routes around it. Do you have a favorite that we might consider on Beinn Alligin?

[jmarkb]

There is a large, flat-ish grassy area around the top of Coinneach Mhor, overlooking Coire Mhic Fhearchair which would make a wonderful spot for a high camp.

That would be a good option, superb views, and with a fair chance of a breeze to keep the midges away, though you would need to carry all your water up there. An alternative would be by Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair: more sheltered but still a stunning location and with a water supply.

If you are camping, you will need to be prepared for the midges: take insect repellent, a head net and a good sense of humour!

Other first rate walks in the area:
Beinn Alligin (some scrambling if you include the Horns) https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinnalligin.shtml
Liathach (some quite exposed scrambling) https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Liathach.shtml
Slioch https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Slioch.shtml
Beinn Dearg https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/beinn-dearg-torridon.shtml
Beinn Damh https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinndamh.shtml
Beinn Bhan https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinnbhan.shtml
Beinn an Eoin https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/beinn-an-eoin.shtml

[BobMcBob]

[quote="livin42"]
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me your insights. When you refer to the "usual route," is that the loop that is referred to in this post about the western summits?

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinneighe.shtml
[\quote]

No problem! Yes, that's the usual route.

The usual route of Beinn Alligin would be good too, you could choose to include the scramble over the horns for a bit of extra excitement.

[jmarkb]

When you refer to the "usual route," is that the loop that is referred to in this post about the western summits?

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinneighe.shtml

It is possible to extend this to include the eastern summits, which, although not technical, involves quite a lot of tiresome scree-covered terrain, and is not terribly popular. From Sgurr nan Fhir Dhubh head south-east until the ridge levels out then pick a way down rough pathless ground, first south and then south-west, back to the road near the start of the Coire an Laoigh path.

Alternatively, take the north-east ridge of Sgurr nan Fhir Dhubh with some easy scrambling over/round the Black Carls to Creag Dhubh, and then an improving path down its east ridge, which reaches the road about 1km south of Kinlochewe. However this leaves quite a long walk along the road back to the start.

[scoob999]

Here's a couple of my video's that might give you an idea of what to expect Hopefully you'll get good weather for your holiday.

[livin42]

There is a large, flat-ish grassy area around the top of Coinneach Mhor, overlooking Coire Mhic Fhearchair which would make a wonderful spot for a high camp.

That would be a good option, superb views, and with a fair chance of a breeze to keep the midges away, though you would need to carry all your water up there. An alternative would be by Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair: more sheltered but still a stunning location and with a water supply.

If you are camping, you will need to be prepared for the midges: take insect repellent, a head net and a good sense of humour!

Other first rate walks in the area:
Beinn Alligin (some scrambling if you include the Horns) https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinnalligin.shtml
Liathach (some quite exposed scrambling) https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Liathach.shtml
Slioch https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Slioch.shtml
Beinn Dearg https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/beinn-dearg-torridon.shtml
Beinn Damh https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinndamh.shtml
Beinn Bhan https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinnbhan.shtml
Beinn an Eoin https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/beinn-an-eoin.shtml

THanks, jmarkb, for the list of suggestions! I'll be looking them over this weekend! Also, for midges, are there a lot at this time of the year in this region? I've heard about Smidge, but does it work or are there better repellents? Any suggestions on the head net? I know the midges are pretty small so typical mosquito netting won't work. Where should I look to find a head net in Inverness when we arrive?

- Livin42

[jmarkb]

Also, for midges, are there a lot at this time of the year in this region? I've heard about Smidge, but does it work or are there better repellents? Any suggestions on the head net? I know the midges are pretty small so typical mosquito netting won't work. Where should I look to find a head net in Inverness when we arrive?

Unfortunately, yes, August is prime midge season. Smidge seems to work as well as anything.
Tiso http://www.tiso.com/shops/inverness-outdoor-experience
or
Craigdon http://www.cmsinverness.uk/
will be able to supply you with anything you need.
Make sure your tent is midge-proof too!

Hope you have a great trip!

[MBS_Adventure]

Not quite answering the exact question but... Torridon is exceptional (weather permitting) and I would thoroughly recommend it. If you need a night's break from wild camping without wanting to 'return to civilisation', there's a campsite in Torridon itself which is run on donations (no staff) - it's fairly Spartan but you have toilets and a shower etc. Very peaceful.

There's a lovely shop in Torridon that will almost certainly have a midge hat and midge repellent. When you arrive in the town, drive through to the end (... 200 yards?). It's got food and anything else you might need.

In terms of walks, I haven't done Beinn Eighe so couldn't comment. Nevertheless, my suggestion would be similar to the ones already and that is Beinn Alligin. It's a circular loop, not overly strenuous and it boasts fantastic views. To do Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin on back-to-back days would be cool. There's a spacious car park at the start/end of the traditional Beinn Alligin route.

Torridon is my favourite place! There's a great pub called The Torridon Inn that serves good food with views over the loch if you'll be wanting a celebratory pint at any point.