Beinn an Eoin, near Gairloch

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Rising at the heart of the Flowerdale Forest, the long sandstone ridge of Beinn an Eoin provides a fine hillwalk, with magnificent views. The summit provides a different perspective on the giants of Torridon.

Terrain

Pathless with some boggy sections and a burn crossing that could be difficult in spate. Steep ground but no real difficulties on the ridge.

Public Transport

Inverness- Gairloch bus service.

Start

Car park by the green barn half a kilometre east of Loch Bad an Sgalaig. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park in the small car park beside the green barn a few hundred metres east of Loch Bad an Sgalag. The walk begins on the track opposite, with a large wooden sign proclaiming 'Loch Bad an Sgalaig pinewood'. Leaflets for local trails can be picked up from the wooden shelter. The track crosses the bridge across the outflow of the reedy Am Feur-loch and ascends gently at first; there is a distant view of the northern buttresses of Baosbheinn. The track passes through a gate in the deer fence and enters the Bad na Sgalag native pinewood. Over a million native trees have been planted by the estate over an area of several square miles.

Stage 2

The track gains height slowly, with views over to Lochan a Chleirich on the left and the mountain fortress of Slioch in the distance. Continue on the track, ignoring the blue waymarker posts leading off right, to climb over a low pass. A yellow waymarked route goes off here to the right, and further on a black waymarked route also goes off right - ignore these and keep on the main track. The track gives views of the isolated peak of Beinn an Eoin before reaching a giant boulder known as the 'Grouse stone'. This rock was where shooting parties used to leave their bag of birds; a ghillie from Gairloch would then come up to the rock each day to collect them.

Stage 3

Beyond the stone the track passes though a gate in the deer fence and bare moorland stretches ahead. The track climbs round to the right of the hillock of Meall Lochan na Geala before descending slightly and crossing the Abhainn Loch na h-Oidhche using stepping-stones. This is usually easy but the crossing can be dangerous if the stream is in spate. Beyond the track climbs gently once more; as it levels off by two massive boulders leave the track and cross the boggy moorland towards the rocky nose at the foot of Beinn an Eoin's north ridge. The steep lower section is avoided by contouring round to the left.

Stage 4

Eventually it becomes possible to ascend rocky, sometimes wet ground and gain the crest of the long ridge. There are stunning views - taking in Baosbheinn to the right and Slioch to the left - as the long, broad-topped ridge undulates gently towards a steeper rise.

Stage 5

A faint path leads up the pebbly ground of the steeper cone of the final section of ridge. Atop this the ridge narrows with a few contorted rocky pinnacles avoided by the path.

Stage 6

The summit is marked by a semi-circular shelter cairn, set around the base of a long vanished trig point. The views are superb, with a particularly fine outlook to the northern sides of the Torridon giants - Beinn Eighe, with its triple buttress prominent, Beinn Dearg and Beinn Alligin.

Stage 7

It is possible to continue along the ridge - soon descending steeply, with some scrambling - for around 400m before cutting down very steep slopes to reach the tiny hut at Poca Buidhe, visible far below. This enables a walk back alongside the loch, or a chance for the very fit to include Baosbheinn in the day.

Stage 8

However, the more straightforward option is to retrace your steps back along the ridge and the route of ascent - with the added advantage of maintaining the stunning views for as long as possible.

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