Torridon 1 - Beinn Eighe

[147cjl]

The plan for day one of my trip to Torridon was early start and head straight up to Beinn Eighe on Wednesday. The forecast was good and the weather was fine on the way up, with little traffic. After a hearty breakfast at the Whistlestop which I think is the best wee cafe in the world, I set off for Beinn Eighe lower car park. I had looked at the map and decided that Am Fuaran offered an alternative to the long walk in around Sail Mor and decided I would have a look when I got there - as it was it looked fine so I just headed straight up off the path.

This offers a pretty relentless slog upwards on quite a steep slope but nothing that offers any difficulty. You reach the ridge just west of the Cairn and the first summit is a short hop from there, offering some amazing views.

The walk around the ridge was amazing, the secenery just out of this world and the hill was busy with walkers from all over Europe taking in the vistas. At the top of the stone chute I met a nice couple who were staying at Lochcarron, who I walked with up to Ruadh Stac Mor and was to bump into a few times in the next few days. Stupidly I left my rucksack at the bottom of the final slope so no summit picture from that one, however I took 306 photos in 3 days so definitely have enough.

Am Fuaran, the route up

Liathach

Liathach from higher on Am Fuaran

the view back to the car park

View up to the ridge

from the cairn

summit ridge

brooding Liathach

Going down the stone chute was fun, glad I was going down it rather than up it - however at the bottom had to negotiate a large boulder field. What can I say about the triple buttress - just amazing, the whole place seems timeless you half expect to see some dinosaur in the distance.

Stone Chute

Triple Buttress

The only downside to this route was now obvious, the long, long walk out, on sore feet and tired legs, seemed to take forever. A couple of pints in Kinlochewe was well in order at the end of a great day.

the long walk back

[Scotjamie]

Nice one cjl
Have plans to do this soon and the WR is very helpful. Thanks for a good report

[Scotjamie]

Nice one cjl
Have plans to do this soon and the WR is very helpful. Thanks for a good report

[hills]

Wow, what a hill, and a great start to your trip eh.

[Mountainlove]

Some really lovely pictures and it looks like a great walk
One I still have to do

[monty]

Excellent Cj. I have planned a route around the Torridon hills and the ascent up Am Fuaran was my route up so great to see it in the flesh. Thanks

[147cjl]

Thanks Monty and Scotjamie - Am Fuaran's a fine route but a bit relentless - you could use it on the way down but either way you get to finish at the carpark where you started. It took me 2.5 hours from the car park to the summit by this route but I was huffing and puffing all the way - you could do it in 1.5 - 2 hours I guess. Plenty more pictures of that route I can em if you pm me.

Thanks ML, it's definitely one to look forward to

[iainwatson]

good report

having been up there today i totally agree with the dinosaur comment,its a special place!

for me its as good a walk as Liathach,cant wait to walk Alligin now,the area is stunning!

[pollyh33]

Oh thanks for posting this smashing report.

I was salivating over the sight of this magnificent beast last week, so it was fab to see your photos of it up close

So glad you've enjoyed Torridon, its unforgettable

[147cjl]

thanks Iain and now I've done Alligin can't wait to do Liathach...cheers Polly, stunning place isn't it

[Stevie5664]

Great. Ty .