Corbett · Knoydart
Bidein a' Chabair
Bidein a' Chabair stands in the wildest country on the Scottish mainland — the Rough Bounds, between Loch Morar and Loch Nevis, where no public road comes within ten miles of the summit. At 867m it would be a Munro by stature were it taller, and its 553m of prominence makes it one of the more freestanding Corbetts despite its remote setting. The rocky summit looks down on Sourlies bothy and the inner reaches of Loch Nevis — a view that has barely changed in a century.
Quick facts
- Height
- 867.5m/ 2846ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 763 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM889930
- Parking
- NM942916
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
glen track 30% · bealach path 20% · pathless hillside 40% · summit cone 10%
Most parties walk in from Glen Dessarry to A' Chuil bothy then over the Bealach an Lagain Duibh to Sourlies, climbing Bidein a' Chabair as part of a multi-day Rough Bounds round. A direct day from the road end is barely feasible at 30km plus. From Sourlies, take the stalkers path up the south-east shoulder then climb open rock and grass to the summit cone. The 16km/763m figures cover the hill alone from a bothy base.
Terrain
Lower ground around Sourlies is wet bog and bracken with one or two faint stalkers paths leading inland. The hillside above is steep grass with intermittent rocky steps; the summit cone is loose blocks of micaceous schist and quartz. Pathless from the bothy onwards. The Carnach river crossing on any approach from Loch Nevis can be impassable after rain.
In winter
A serious expedition in winter — the river crossings freeze unpredictably, the boggy approaches turn to thick verglas, and the absence of any phone signal or quick exit makes self-reliance total. The Rough Bounds receive heavy Atlantic loading and avalanche risk on the steep south face is real. Most parties save this hill for stable mid-spring weather windows.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 6m
- Edinburgh3h 29m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Landranger 40
Mobile signal: No signal anywhere in the Rough Bounds; nearest reliable coverage at Mallaig
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:38
- Sunset
- 22:01
- Civil dawn
- 03:37
- Civil dusk
- 23:02
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Bidein a' Chabair.
Around Bidein a' Chabair on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Glenfinnan station
Glenfinnan Viaduct; Streap, Sgurr Thuilm, Glen Finnan Munros
12km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Mallaig
Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply
21km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
29km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Bidein a' Chabair — common questions
- How hard is Bidein a' Chabair?
- Bidein a' Chabair is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 763m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: Lower ground around Sourlies is wet bog and bracken with one or two faint stalkers paths leading inland.
- Where do I park for Bidein a' Chabair?
- Standard parking is at NM942916 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Bidein a' Chabair?
- The standard good-weather months for Bidein a' Chabair 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 Bidein a' Chabair?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Bidein a' Chabair?
- No signal anywhere in the Rough Bounds; nearest reliable coverage at Mallaig
- Is Bidein a' Chabair safe in winter?
- A serious expedition in winter — the river crossings freeze unpredictably, the boggy approaches turn to thick verglas, and the absence of any phone signal or quick exit makes self-reliance total. The Rough Bounds receive heavy Atlantic loading and avalanche risk on the steep south face is real. Most parties save this hill for stable mid-spring weather windows.