How hard is Beinn an Eòin?

We grade Beinn an Eòin at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 11km with 600m of climbing; allow 3-5 hours. Terrain: Wet, pathless moor on the approach.

How prominent is Beinn an Eòin?

Beinn an Eòin has 355m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Beinn an Eòin?

Standard parking is at NC162051 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Beinn an Eòin?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn an Eòin are May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 an Eòin?

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

By Gary

Photo: Trevor Littlewood / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · North-West Highlands

Beinn an Eòin

Twin-summited ridge in Coigach with the same Torridonian sandstone character as Stac Pollaidh next door, but a fraction of the visitors. Sits between Loch Lurgainn and Loch Bad a' Ghaill with the Summer Isles spread to the west.

Quick facts

Height: 619m/ 2031ft
Prominence: 355 m
Distance: ~11 km
Ascent: ~600 m
Time: 3–5 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NC104064
Parking: NC162051
Nearest: Ullapool· Inverness 83km
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

moorland path 25% · rough heather 35% · sandstone ridge 30% · summit area 10%

11km · 600m ascent · 5 hrs

Approach from the Drumrunie road end across moor and lochan-strewn ground to the south ridge. Pathless sandstone shelves lead to the lower top before the short connecting crest gains the main summit.

Terrain

Wet, pathless moor on the approach. Easy ridge walking once on the hill.

In winter

Less snow than higher hills inland but heavy rain and wind year-round.

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

Glasgow5h 50m
Edinburgh5h 55m

Parking: NC162051

OS maps: OS Explorer 439

Mobile signal: No usable signal across the Coigach interior — Stac Pollaidh, Suilven and the Inverpolly lochans all sit in radio shadow. Patchy EE/Vodafone returns only near the Achiltibuie road and on summit ridges facing west to the Minch. Plan navigation and weather entirely offline.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 12mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:50
Sunset: 19:42
Civil dawn: 06:10
Civil dusk: 20:22

NOAA Solar Calculator · 15 September 2026

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Around Beinn an Eòin on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Lairg station

Central Sutherland; Ben Klibreck approach; gateway to Far North inland

48km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Ullapool

Main NW Highlands hub; Hebrides ferry; Inverpolly access

13km 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 an Eòin — common questions

How hard is Beinn an Eòin?: We grade Beinn an Eòin at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 11km with 600m of climbing; allow 3-5 hours. Terrain: Wet, pathless moor on the approach.
How prominent is Beinn an Eòin?: Beinn an Eòin has 355m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Beinn an Eòin?: Standard parking is at NC162051 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Beinn an Eòin?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn an Eòin are May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 an Eòin?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Beinn an Eòin?: No usable signal across the Coigach interior — Stac Pollaidh, Suilven and the Inverpolly lochans all sit in radio shadow. Patchy EE/Vodafone returns only near the Achiltibuie road and on summit ridges facing west to the Minch. Plan navigation and weather entirely offline.
Is Beinn an Eòin safe in winter?: Less snow than higher hills inland but heavy rain and wind year-round.

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