How difficult is Beinn Bhuidhe?

Beinn Bhuidhe carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 18km, 1000m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: Coastal path on the long approach — rough and undulating, with several streams to cross.

How prominent is Beinn Bhuidhe?

Beinn Bhuidhe has 308m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Beinn Bhuidhe?

Standard parking is at NG949068. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Beinn Bhuidhe?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhuidhe are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Beinn Bhuidhe?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: wrobison / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Corbett · Knoydart

Beinn Bhuidhe

Beinn Bhuidhe of Knoydart — distinct from the Glen Fyne Corbett of the same name — is the 855m hill at the south-east corner of the Knoydart peninsula, rising above Barrisdale on the south side of Loch Hourn. Across the loch lie the larger Knoydart Munros; the rough coastal path from Kinloch Hourn that also serves Ladhar Bheinn is the standard access. The Gaelic name simply means 'the yellow hill', a reference to the autumn moor-grass colour that dominates the slopes.

Quick facts

Height: 855.4m/ 2806ft
Prominence: 308 m
Distance: ~18 km
Ascent: ~1000 m
Time: 5–8 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NM821967
Parking: NG949068
Nearest city: Fort William· 36km
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

glen path 20% · steep grass 45% · rocky upper section 25% · summit area 10%

18km · 1000m ascent · 7.5 hrs

From the Kinloch Hourn road head (NG949068), follow the coastal path west-south-west around the loch shore for around 5km to Barrisdale Bay. From the bay, climb directly north-east up the steep grassy flank of Beinn Bhuidhe. The summit cairn is reached after a sustained pull on grass and rock. Return reverses the line — or extend along the ridge to Sgùrr nan Eugallt for a long Knoydart-edge day. Allow 7–8 hours.

Terrain

Coastal path on the long approach — rough and undulating, with several streams to cross. Above Barrisdale the slope is steep grass with rocky outcrops; the upper ridge is firmer underfoot. The summit cairn sits on a low rocky outcrop. The descent to Barrisdale is slippery in wet.

In winter

A serious far-west winter day. The Kinloch Hourn road can be closed by snow, the coastal path holds ice in lee aspects, and the steep grass ascent above Barrisdale becomes a real snow climb in firm conditions. No phone signal anywhere on the route. Best as a multi-day with bothy bases at Barrisdale.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Bhuidhe. 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

Glasgow3h 55m
Edinburgh4h 37m

Parking: NG949068

OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Landranger 40

Mobile signal: No usable signal at Kinloch Hourn or on the route — Knoydart edge is a recognised blackspot. PLB or satellite messenger recommended

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:53
Sunset: 18:24
Civil dawn: 07:14
Civil dusk: 19:03

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Beinn Bhuidhe on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Mallaig station

End of the Road to the Isles — ferry to Skye, Knoydart, Small Isles

15km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Mallaig

Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply

14km 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.

Beinn Bhuidhe — common questions

How difficult is Beinn Bhuidhe?: Beinn Bhuidhe carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 18km, 1000m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: Coastal path on the long approach — rough and undulating, with several streams to cross.
How prominent is Beinn Bhuidhe?: Beinn Bhuidhe has 308m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Beinn Bhuidhe?: Standard parking is at NG949068. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Beinn Bhuidhe?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhuidhe are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
Can I bring my dog up Beinn Bhuidhe?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Beinn Bhuidhe?: No usable signal at Kinloch Hourn or on the route — Knoydart edge is a recognised blackspot. PLB or satellite messenger recommended
Is Beinn Bhuidhe safe in winter?: A serious far-west winter day. The Kinloch Hourn road can be closed by snow, the coastal path holds ice in lee aspects, and the steep grass ascent above Barrisdale becomes a real snow climb in firm conditions. No phone signal anywhere on the route. Best as a multi-day with bothy bases at Barrisdale.

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