Beinn Eighe
1
NG958568 From the car park near Ling Hut, cross the bridge and follow the road north-east to the small car park with the woods. Head uphill on a good path all the way. After a brief levelling, the route gets a bit awkward. Just keep the river close to your left. You’ll soon cross a small footbridge. Continue up a boulder field with lots of runnels until you reach a rock barrier, turn left and follow the broken tracks uphill. Avoid the deepest of the grooves in the muddy scree by aiming right. There is a short rocky step, go through this and pick up the best and safest path. You really do need to be careful here. Don’t bunch up too closely to other people and be conscious of who is above and below you. You will shortly exit onto a white ridge. Continue up through a rocky path to a trig point.
2
NG965596 Turn right at the trig and head north-east, passing another barrier on its left above steep ground then another one on its right, on obvious tracks. As you near the summit of Spidean Coire Nan Clach, you can gain the summit a few different ways. The left side is steep and exposed. The right, a bit looser and less scary but still above steep ground. Keep close to the centre of the ridge.
3
NG966597
From the summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach, return south-west to the trig. Take care not to be pulled too far down the slope on the left. Pass the trig again and keep right. The route-finding is easy now, passing a series of cairns in the ridge and near some interesting drops. The big change you will be looking for is when the ground opens up into a large, grassy area. Keep to the right, across the open ground, before picking up an obvious path to the summit of Coinneach Mhor. (Pass the initial cairn and continue west for a little longer).
4
NG944600 From here, return to the cairn and descend north-west toward Ruadh Stac Mhor on a rocky and awkward track, with some loose blocks and big steps. There is a path slightly to the right, but it’s not obvious where to join it. Continue across the level and climb again, through some more rocky steps and follow the well worn path to the castle-like summit of Ruadh Stac Mhor.
5
NG951611 Return to the bealach.
6
NG951602 This is possibly the most dangerous section of the walk. Have some food and get some energy before cautiously descending north-west into the open gully. Keep space between each person to avoid any kicked rocks. A delicate approach and some walking poles would be really beneficial. The route is steep and loose. Keep to the right of the gully where there is more solid rock. Remain conscious of people above and below you. Take your time. Exit onto the obvious rightward path which ends and dog-legs left. Go downhill through some boulders. Cross a very wet
and not obvious section, aiming roughly west-south-west, to below the Three Finger Buttress. There are several small cairns leading you through an interesting landscape below the buttress.
7
NG943606 Pass the loch on its right, then cross the outflow on some stepping stones to follow the well built path that returns you to the road on a very gradual leftward curve, between Beinn Eighe and Liathach.