How hard is Beinn Bheag?

We grade Beinn Bheag at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 548m of climbing; allow 4-6 hours. Terrain: Stalkers track on the lower flank, then bog and tussock on the col approach.

How prominent is Beinn Bheag?

Beinn Bheag has 199m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

When should I climb Beinn Bheag?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bheag 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 Bheag?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · North-West Highlands

Beinn Bheag

Beinn Bheag (668m) — the little hill — perches above the upper reaches of the Inverbroom road in NH08, a small sandstone summit overshadowed by An Teallach to the south-west. The small cairn looks across the Strath More glen to the Fannichs and west to the great Torridonian cliffs of An Teallach's northern flanks. A quiet vantage on a popular touring route.

Gaelic: “mountain, small” · Pronunciation: bine vek

Quick facts

Height: 668.4m/ 2193ft
Prominence: 199 m
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 548 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NH085714
Nearest: Ullapool· Inverness 64km
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

heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%

13km · 548m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Start from the layby south of Dundonnell on the A832 and follow the Allt Coir' a' Ghuibhsachain track south. Branch off east onto open hillside at around 350m and climb the heather-and-bilberry shoulder to the broad summit area. The small cairn sits on a low rise — line of sight from the col with the higher ground to the south.

Terrain

Stalkers track on the lower flank, then bog and tussock on the col approach. The upper slopes are short heather and grass with patches of slabby Torridonian rock. The summit dome is broad and gently rolling — easy on the legs but featureless in cloud.

In winter

Beinn Bheag sees the full force of Atlantic snowfall driven over An Teallach. The summit dome is exposed and wind-scoured but drifts pile up against the small east-facing crags. Cornicing is rare on this gentle terrain.

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

Glasgow4h 4m
Edinburgh4h 25m

OS maps: OS Landranger 19, OS Explorer 435

Mobile signal: Expect little. Remote north-west Highlands; no network reaches reliably.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

17h 10mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:38
Sunset: 21:14
Civil dawn: 04:51
Civil dusk: 22:01

NOAA Solar Calculator · 12 August 2026

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Around Beinn Bheag on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Plockton station

Coastal Wester Ross; Plockton village; Skye Bridge approach

47km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Ullapool

Main NW Highlands hub; Hebrides ferry; Inverpolly access

23km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Beinn Bheag — common questions

How hard is Beinn Bheag?: We grade Beinn Bheag at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 548m of climbing; allow 4-6 hours. Terrain: Stalkers track on the lower flank, then bog and tussock on the col approach.
How prominent is Beinn Bheag?: Beinn Bheag has 199m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
When should I climb Beinn Bheag?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bheag 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 Bheag?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Beinn Bheag?: Expect little. Remote north-west Highlands; no network reaches reliably.
Is Beinn Bheag safe in winter?: Beinn Bheag sees the full force of Atlantic snowfall driven over An Teallach. The summit dome is exposed and wind-scoured but drifts pile up against the small east-facing crags. Cornicing is rare on this gentle terrain.

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