Graham · North-West Highlands
Beinn a' Chearcaill
A flat-topped Torridonian Graham north of Loch Maree, famous for the bright white quartzite paving stones that cover its summit. The view across to Slioch and Beinn Eighe is one of the finest in the area.
Quick facts
- Height
- 725.4m/ 2380ft
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 594 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG931637
- Parking
- NG929620
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 76km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
loch-side path 20% · heather hillside 45% · rocky slopes 25% · summit area 10%
Park near Grudie Bridge on the A832. Cross the bridge and take the path west along the Abhainn an Fhasaigh, then climb the south-east spur to the quartzite plateau. The summit cairn sits at the western end of the slabs.
Terrain
Good path for the lower section, then heather and rocky terraces. The summit plateau is a remarkable sheet of weathered quartzite — like a natural pavement.
In winter
The quartzite plateau ices over and walking it in snow disguises which way the next terrace drops. Torridon SAIS region applies — the corries on the north side hold real avalanche risk.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 1m
- Edinburgh4h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 19
Mobile signal: No signal in this stretch of Glen Torridon
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:29
- Civil dusk
- 23:10
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn a' Chearcaill.
Around Beinn a' Chearcaill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn a' Chearcaill — common questions
- How hard is Beinn a' Chearcaill?
- Beinn a' Chearcaill is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 594m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Good path for the lower section, then heather and rocky terraces.
- Where do I park for Beinn a' Chearcaill?
- Standard parking is at NG929620 near Ullapool. 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 Beinn a' Chearcaill?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn a' Chearcaill 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 a' Chearcaill?
- 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 Beinn a' Chearcaill?
- No signal in this stretch of Glen Torridon
- Is Beinn a' Chearcaill safe in winter?
- The quartzite plateau ices over and walking it in snow disguises which way the next terrace drops. Torridon SAIS region applies — the corries on the north side hold real avalanche risk.