Liathach
1,055 m
United Kingdom
Also known as ЛиатхачAlso known as
Лиатхач
- Elevation
- 1,055 m
- Prominence
- 957 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2The shortest way to Liathach's highest summit: a steep, well-made path from the A896 east of Glen Cottage climbs through the sandstone terraces of Coire Liath Mhòr, with a few short easy scrambles, to the ridge near Stùc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig, then a bouldery ridge leads over Stob a' Choire Liath Mhòr to Spidean a' Choire Lèith (1,055 m). Return the same way.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 3.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,116 m
- −114 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,055 m
- Time Up
- 4h 26m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 06m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Park in the layby on the A896 just west of the Allt an Doire Ghairbh, a couple of hundred metres east of Glen Cottage in Glen Torridon (more spaces nearer the cottage). A well-made path crosses the stream and climbs steeply up its far bank, with a little easy scrambling, before easing into the hollow of Toll a' Meitheach. It then climbs relentlessly again and swings right where the way ahead looks blocked, using a couple of short, simple rocky steps through weaknesses in the sandstone terraces; higher up the path fades and the last section to the ridge is rough. The ridge is reached at a cairn just south-west of Stùc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig, the easternmost top, worth a short detour for the view across Coire Dubh Mòr to Beinn Eighe. Turn west along the well-worn path over the two tops of Stob a' Choire Liath Mhòr, littered with quartzite boulders, then descend slightly and climb the steep, bouldery cone of Spidean a' Choire Lèith, the highest point of the ridge. Return by the same route, about 5–6 hours in total. Descent from the summit in mist needs care: ridges and slopes lead towards crags above Coire na Caime and a precipitous prow to the south-south-east. The Coire Liath Mhòr path is the last reliable escape south from the ridge before Mullach an Rathain.
Start
Allt an Doire Ghairbh layby53 m
- No regular bus along Glen Torridon is reported; most walkers arrive by car from Kinlochewe or Torridon village
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allt an Doire Ghairbh layby → Spidean a' Choire Lèith | 3.9 | 1,116 | 114 | 4h 26m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Allt an Doire Ghairbh layby53 m
approximate; Glen Cottage is at 57.5508, -5.4603
- Feature: Coire Liath Mhòr625 m
- Shoulder: Stùc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig903 m
- Feature: Stob a' Choire Liath Mhòr1,041 m
not on route line
- Summit: Spidean a' Choire Lèith1,055 m
Key Passages
- Steep path beside the Allt an Doire Ghairbh
- Short rocky steps through the sandstone terraces below the ridge
- Boulder-strewn tops of Stob a' Choire Liath Mhòr
- Summit cone of Spidean a' Choire Lèith
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The 'grey one' of Torridon: a 7 km wall of terraced Torridonian sandstone capped with quartzite towering over Glen Torridon, with two Munros, Spidean a' Choire Lèith (1,055 m) and Mullach an Rathain, joined by the Am Fasarinen pinnacles. Often rated Scotland's finest mainland mountain.
Liathach rises directly from the floor of Glen Torridon, between Loch Torridon and Beinn Eighe in the Northwest Highlands. Its south face is a stack of near-horizontal red-brown sandstone terraces, ringed above by grey quartzite scree that gives the mountain its name. The crest runs east to west over Stùc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig, Stob a' Choire Liath Mhòr, Spidean a' Choire Lèith, the pinnacles of Am Fasarinen and Mullach an Rathain, with the wild corries of Coire na Caime and Coire Dubh Mòr on the north side.
There is no easy way up. Every route climbs about 1,000 m of steep, rough ground from the road, and once on the ridge there are few safe descents. Spidean a' Choire Lèith alone is a strenuous half-day there and back by Coire Liath Mhòr; the full traverse, crossing or bypassing Am Fasarinen, is a long, committing scramble with sustained exposure, and the bypass path on the south side is itself very exposed.
The reward is one of the great days in British hillwalking, with views to Beinn Eighe, Beinn Alligin, the Fisherfield hills and Skye. In winter the traverse is a serious Grade II mountaineering route, and the north-side corries hold well-known ice climbs.
Climbing Notes
You need fitness for 1,000+ m of very steep ascent and a long day (5–6 hours for Spidean a' Choire Lèith there and back; 7–10 hours for the traverse), sure-footedness on loose sandstone and quartzite boulders, and a head for heights. For the full traverse, be confident on exposed Grade 2 scrambling or ready to use the exposed bypass path; local guides in Torridon lead the ridge if you are unsure. Choose a dry, calm day: the sandstone is slippery when wet, and escape routes are few.
In winter the ridge requires ice axe, crampons, rope skills and winter experience. Parking at both ends is limited laybys on the A896; a car shuttle or a 2 km road walk links the start and finish of the traverse. Accommodation is available in Torridon village and Kinlochewe.
History
The name is Gaelic for 'the hoary (grey) one' (Liaghaich in local Torridon Gaelic). The Northern Pinnacles, running from Mullach an Rathain to the Top of Meall Dearg, were first climbed in 1894 by Hinxman, Rennie and Douglas; Irvine Butterfield called Meall Dearg the most difficult Top in the British Isles after the Inaccessible Pinnacle. The mountain lies on the National Trust for Scotland's Torridon estate.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Good
- October: Possible
- November: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Winter traverse is a serious Grade II route; very short days
- Feb
- Winter conditions likely
- Mar
- Winter conditions often persist on the crest
- Apr
- Snow may linger on the ridge and in gullies
- May
- Long days; good conditions when dry
- Jun
- Longest days for the traverse
- Jul
- Good conditions; midges low down
- Aug
- Good conditions; midges low down
- Sep
- Good walking; shortening days
- Oct
- Short days for the traverse; first snows possible
- Nov
- Early winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions; very short days
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Access under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code; National Trust for Scotland land, with no stalking restrictions reported on the normal routes
- Getting There
Torridon (village); Kinlochewe
Inverness Airport (INV)
- By car on the A896 through Glen Torridon between Kinlochewe and Torridon village; park in the laybys east of Glen Cottage (Coire Liath Mhòr path) or 2 km further west (Toll Bàn path)
- Nearest railway: Achnasheen on the Inverness–Kyle of Lochalsh line, then by road via Kinlochewe
Hazards
- Exposure
- Weather
- Rockfall
- Remoteness