Liathach, Glen Torridon

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Summary

Liathach is rated by many mountaineers and hillwalkers as Scotland's finest mountain, challenged only by An Teallach and the Cuillin of Skye. Its traverse is an expedition that will be remembered forever.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Well-trodden but very steep terrain throughout. There is mild rock scrambling en-route to the ridge, and some awkward bouldery terrain along it. The Am Fasarinen pinnacles involve some trickier scrambling, and the alternative bypass path is very exposed. The descent from Mullach an Rathain is also very steep. If unsure, hire a guide.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Small parking area east of Glen Cottage. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 8 - 10 hours
Ascent: 1326m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG935566

Summits Climbed

Munro: Spidean a' Choire Lèith
Munro: Mullach an Rathain

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (72)

Stage 1

There is space for several cars to park at the start of the path a couple of hundred metres east of Glen Cottage; there are more spaces slightly nearer the cottage. Liathach looms high overhead from here, looking impossible to climb, but there is actually a well-made path to begin with. This starts from the layby just west of the Allt an Doire Ghairbh stream, soon crossing it and then climbing steeply up the far bank.

Photo shows Liathach seen from Loch Clair

Stage 2

There is a minor bit of scrambling and the path is consistently steep until it begins to ease into the coire of Toll a' Meitheach. The respite from the steepness is short, however, as soon the path begins climbing relentlessly once more; when the route ahead appears blocked the path swings to the right. There are a couple of short simple rocky scrambles where the path climbs up through weaknesses in the sandstone terraces.

Stage 3

The path reaches the ridge a little southwest of Stùc a' Choire Dhubh Bhig at a point marked by a cairn. The sudden view down the other side of the mountain into the wild country on the north side of Torridon takes the breath away. Before heading for the summit, it is worth detouring out to the top of Stùc a' Choire Dhubh Bhig - the easternmost summit on the ridge - for a great view of Beinn Eighe across the deep trench of Coire Dubh, as well as a better perspective on the grand ridge ahead to Spidean a' Choire Lèith. Return to the cairn at the top of the both and continue along the ridge towards the summit.

Stage 4

Continue along the main ridge on the well-worn path, crossing the two tops of Stob a'Choire Liath Mhor. These are covered with quartzite boulders which make for slow going, but the situation is spectacular. After the second summit - which has a windshelter cairn - there is a short descent before the longer climb up the impressive summit cone of Spidean a'Choire Lèith, which is covered with more angular boulders.

Stage 5

The summit - the highest point on the whole Liathach ridge - is a sensational viewpoint, with the full ridge of the mountain now being revealed. On the descent from Spidean a' Choire Lèith great care in poor visibility to both avoid following the ridge which heads SSE to end in a precipitous prow which projects out from the mountain or to end up descending towards crags above Coire na Caime. Instead the true route heads briefly south then southwest down a steep slope of massive boulders to reach a narrow bealach.

Stage 6

The sight ahead should set the pulses racing, as the next section of the ridge is riven into the famous Am Fasarinen pinnacles. If all these are traversed along the crest there is a conseridable amount of exposed scrambling to negotiate. Alternatively there is a path which traverses along natural shelves below the pinnacles on the south side to avoid the scrambling, but it is sensationally exposed, particularly at a couple of spots where it also tends to be wet. You might be able to see your parked car when looking down between your feet! Great care is needed as any slip would be fatal. This section continues for several hundred metres.

Stage 7

The path rejoins the ridge just beyond the last pinnacle. The ridge now changes character completely and leads without further obstacle (albeit with huge cliffs plunging on the right) uphill to the second Munro of Mullach an Rathain. The summit gives a wonderful view back of the entire ridge, as well as into the wild country on the north side of the mountain.

Stage 8

The view west is a complete contrast, dominated by Beinn Alligin and the glittering waters of Loch Torridon, with Skye and the other islands beyond if the day is clear. To begin the descent follow the line of a stony path southwest diagonally downhill from Mullach an Rathain towards a shoulder, before heading left to descend the very steep earthy/scree slope; there is a zig-zag path which helps a little but this part of the descent is trying.

Stage 9

Further down the path begins to improve, and has even been pitched with stone steps in places. It continues down to the grassy floor of Toll Ban for a brief respite in the very steep descent - but you are still less than half way down at this point! Soon the path steepens once more, keeping close by the burn at first before bearing right away from it. There are a few slight scrambly sections in places as the path winds around to find a route through the terraces of sandstone cliffs to return to the Torridon road, two kilometres west of where you started.

Route Profile

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