How difficult is Bac an Eich?

Bac an Eich carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 15km, 747m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Ground conditions: The Inverchoran stalkers path is well drained and clear.

How much drop does Bac an Eich have?

The drop is 336m: measured from the summit of Bac an Eich down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Bac an Eich?

Park at NH262508. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.

What's the best month to climb Bac an Eich?

Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Bac an Eich. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Bac an Eich?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary

Photo: Colin Park / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Corbett · North-West Highlands

Bac an Eich

Bac an Eich — "the hummock of the horse" — rises on the south side of Strathconon, the long quiet glen running west from Marybank towards Loch Monar. At 849m it is the highest of a group of moorland hills overlooking Loch Beannacharain, with a 336m prominence that lifts it well clear of its neighbours. The summit is a rocky knoll above broad heather slopes with a far view westward into the Monar wilderness and back east across Strathconon to the Black Isle and the Moray Firth.

Quick facts

Height: 849m/ 2785ft
Prominence: 336 m
Distance: ~15 km
Ascent: ~747 m
Time: 5–8 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NH222489
Parking: NH262508
Nearest city: Inverness· 44km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

stalkers path 25% · steep heather 35% · broad ridge 30% · rocky knoll 10%

15km · 747m ascent · 4.2 hrs

Start from the public road end at Inverchoran in upper Strathconon and follow the stalkers path west through the trees and onto Loch Beannacharain shore. After around 3km, leave the loch path and climb steep grass and heather slopes south onto the north ridge of Bac an Eich. A long even pull on the ridge brings the rocky top. The full circuit is around 15km with 747m of climbing. Most baggers tackle the hill on its own; the neighbours are forestry and pathless ground.

Terrain

The Inverchoran stalkers path is well drained and clear. Off the path the slope is steep tussocky heather; the climb is unrelenting but never technical. The north ridge above 600m is short grass and small rock steps with the rocky summit knoll a clear landmark. The west drop is steep but not crag-bound. No exposure on the standard route.

In winter

A more serious winter Corbett than its modest height suggests — the climb is steep enough to need axe and crampons under snow, and the north ridge holds cornices in westerly winds. The Strathconon road is single-track and rarely gritted past Marybank; access in bad weather can be slow. Daylight short in midwinter; start early.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Bac an Eich. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow4h 36m
Edinburgh4h 54m

Parking: NH262508

OS maps: OS Landranger 25

Mobile signal: No signal in upper Strathconon; intermittent at Marybank

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 10mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:50
Sunset: 19:41
Civil dawn: 06:10
Civil dusk: 20:20

NOAA Solar Calculator · 15 September 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Bac an Eich.

Two-hill day
Bac an Eich + Sgurr a' Mhuilinn
Combine with Sgurr a' Mhuilinn for a full Strathfarrar hills circuit
20km · 1300m ascent · 8 hrs

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Around Bac an Eich on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Dingwall station

Ben Wyvis approach; Easter Ross; junction for Kyle and Far North lines

35km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Torridon

Liathach, Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin from sea level

33km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Bac an Eich — common questions

How difficult is Bac an Eich?: Bac an Eich carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 15km, 747m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Ground conditions: The Inverchoran stalkers path is well drained and clear.
How much drop does Bac an Eich have?: The drop is 336m: measured from the summit of Bac an Eich down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Bac an Eich?: Park at NH262508. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
What's the best month to climb Bac an Eich?: Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Bac an Eich. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Bac an Eich?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Bac an Eich?: No signal in upper Strathconon; intermittent at Marybank
Is Bac an Eich safe in winter?: A more serious winter Corbett than its modest height suggests — the climb is steep enough to need axe and crampons under snow, and the north ridge holds cornices in westerly winds. The Strathconon road is single-track and rarely gritted past Marybank; access in bad weather can be slow. Daylight short in midwinter; start early.

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