Corbett · Knoydart
Fraoch Bheinn
Fraoch Bheinn — 'the heather hill' — is the 857m Corbett standing at the head of Loch Arkaig above Strathan, looking north into the wild bowl of Glen Dessarry that leads west into Knoydart. The mountain forms a natural pairing with Sgùrr Cos na Breachd-laoidh to the west: both are rough heather-and-rock hills reached from the same road-end at Strathan, and most parties tackle them together on a long Strathan day. The summit ridge is broad and gives one of the best vantage points on the Sgùrr na Cìche range to the north.
Quick facts
- Height
- 857.3m/ 2813ft
- Distance
- 10 km
- Ascent
- 820 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM986940
- Parking
- NM987916
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
glen track 30% · heather hillside 40% · rocky upper slopes 20% · summit area 10%
Park at the road end at Strathan beyond the long single-track drive up Loch Arkaig (NM987916). Walk east up Glen Dessarry briefly, then leave the path and climb the south flank of Fraoch Bheinn directly — steep grass and heather without a path of consequence. The route gains the summit ridge and continues to a small cairn on a low outcrop. For the natural pair, drop west to the bealach and climb Sgùrr Cos na Breachd-laoidh. Allow 5–6 hours for Fraoch Bheinn alone.
Terrain
Long single-track road drive from Loch Lochy adds significant travel time. From Strathan the hill is climbed direct on steep heather and grass — slow underfoot, slippery in wet. The upper ridge is firmer rock and grass with no real path. The summit cairn is small and unspectacular.
In winter
Fraoch Bheinn under snow becomes a steep grass-and-rock climb requiring confident foot placement. The Strathan road can drift in heavy weather and is well off the gritting network. Avalanche risk on the loaded south face after stormy easterlies is real. A committing winter objective for the length of the access alone.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 1m
- Edinburgh3h 21m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Landranger 40
Mobile signal: No signal in remote upper Loch Arkaig area
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:38
- Sunset
- 22:00
- Civil dawn
- 03:36
- Civil dusk
- 23:01
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Fraoch Bheinn.
Around Fraoch Bheinn 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
15km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
23km 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
22km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Fraoch Bheinn — common questions
- How hard is Fraoch Bheinn?
- Fraoch Bheinn is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 10km with 820m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-5 hours. Terrain: Long single-track road drive from Loch Lochy adds significant travel time.
- Where do I park for Fraoch Bheinn?
- Standard parking is at NM987916 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 Fraoch Bheinn?
- The standard good-weather months for Fraoch Bheinn 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 Fraoch Bheinn?
- 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 Fraoch Bheinn?
- No signal in remote upper Loch Arkaig area
- Is Fraoch Bheinn safe in winter?
- Fraoch Bheinn under snow becomes a steep grass-and-rock climb requiring confident foot placement. The Strathan road can drift in heavy weather and is well off the gritting network. Avalanche risk on the loaded south face after stormy easterlies is real. A committing winter objective for the length of the access alone.