Beinn Enaiglair, Braemore Junction

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An outlier of the Beinn Dearg group, Beinn Enaiglair is prominent in the view from Ullapool harbour. The hill is completely encircled by stalkers' paths; this route makes best use of these to head round to the more dramatic northern side for the ascent.

Terrain

Good stalkers' paths for most of the route; pathless section around summit. Some boggy areas.

Public Transport

There is a bus stop in the Braemore Junction car park; buses between Ullapool and Inverness.

Start

Car park at Braemore junction, A835. Map and directions.

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 Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 15.5km / 9.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 754m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH209776

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Enaiglair

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the large car park (with bus shelter) at Braemore junction where the A832 meets the A835. The track leading into the forest here is private, and hillwalkers are instead directed onto a path (sign 'Hill access') from the east end of the car park, passing through the trees before emerging at the road again on the edge of the forest. Go through the gate on the left here giving access to the moorland. Cross a metal footbridge and then follow the marker poles up the boggy ground. The route climbs up to reach the top edge of the plantations, and then swings left, through a gate, to continue NNW, now above the trees. Eventually this rather wet path passes to the east side of Home Loch, with good views to the Fannichs and to An Teallach.

Stage 2

Cross a small metal footbridge to reach a landrover track to the north of the loch. Turn right along this; when it comes alongside some old sheep fanks fork right instead onto a clear path that leads upstream by the burn. The path itself soon forks at a tiny cairn; from here the stalkers' paths make a complete circuit around the mountain, which would be a fine walk in itself. The quickest ascent of Beinn Enaiglair is to turn right here, but a better walk saves this route for the return and instead takes the left branch, which makes a rising traverse across the west side of the hill, with views down the River Broom and Loch Broom towards Ullapool.

Stage 3

The path heads round the northwestern end of Beinn Enaiglair, passing the enormous boulder of Clach n h-Aide - the hat-shaped rock. As the route reaches the Allt na h-Ighine the more impressive northern side of Beinn Enaiglair is revealed. Two small cairns indicate where the route - a little indistinct at this point - crosses the burn before continuing up the far side.

Stage 4

Pass beneath the cliffs of Creag Bac na Faire until the path zig-zags up to the right to gain height, suddenly revealing fine views down the next glen to Loch Glascarnoch. The route contours the slope into the next corrie; watch out for a tiny cairn before the indistinct Allt Creag Bac na Faire is reached, and at this point leave the main path to head up into the corrie. A clearer path eventually materialises as height is gained.

Stage 5

The headwall of the corrie appears steep but the path leads up it via a series of superbly-engineered zig-zags to emerge suddenly on the plateau above. The summit cairn is now around 400m further WNW along the broad, stony ridge. The views are superb, with Loch Broom and Ullapool to the NW, Loch a'Bhraoin to the SW and Loch Glascarnoch to the SE leading the eye into a jumble of peaks all around. The descent is down the ESE ridge, which is broad and pathless.

Stage 6

Eventually the stalkers path can be picked up to the north of Loch Feith nan Cleirieach. Turn right along it as it contours the slopes westwards to head into and through the Bealach nam Buthan, with the Graham of Meal Doire Faid tempting baggers opposite. Continue on the path to eventually reach the junction with the tiny cairn NE of Home Loch where the outward route is rejoined. Turn left here to follow the path down to the track, then left just before the loch to retrace the outward route back over the moors.

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