How hard is Beinn na Muice?

Beinn na Muice is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 568m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Quad track on the lower moor, then deep heather and peat hag above 400m.

Where do I park for Beinn na Muice?

Standard parking is at NH221406 near Inverness. 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 na Muice?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn na Muice are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 na Muice?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How hard is Beinn na Muice?

Beinn na Muice is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 568m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Quad track on the lower moor, then deep heather and peat hag above 400m.

Where do I park for Beinn na Muice?

Standard parking is at NH221406 near Inverness. 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 na Muice?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn na Muice are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 na Muice?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

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

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Graham · North-West Highlands

Beinn na Muice

Beinn na Muice (693m) — hill of the pig — is a quiet heather summit at the head of Strath Bran, set in the NH24 square between Achanalt and Loch Fannich. The trig pillar marks the highest point of a long undulating ridge that drops sharply to the railway in Strath Bran. Outlook north is dominated by the great Fannich Munros.

Quick facts

Height: 693.8m/ 2276ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 568 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NH218402
Parking: NH221406
Nearest city: Inverness
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather moorland 65% · rocky slopes 20% · grass and sedge 15%

13km · 568m ascent · 3.5 hrs

From the small parking by the Achanalt level-crossing on the A832 follow the track south past the farm. Cross the open moor on a vague quad trail rising over peat hags to gain the north-east shoulder. The shoulder leads directly to the trig with one short pull through a band of outcrop at 600m.

Terrain

Quad track on the lower moor, then deep heather and peat hag above 400m. The north-east shoulder gives the best line — directly up the heathery face is rough and tiring. The summit area is short turf with a small rock platform.

In winter

The Strath Bran corridor is one of the colder spots in Wester Ross with easterly snow lying long. Cornices form along the eastern crags above the railway in big winters. SAIS Northern forecasts cover the Fannichs and give a useful read for this NH24 ridge.

This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 26m
Edinburgh4h 46m

Parking: NH221406

OS maps: OS Landranger 25

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote north-west Highlands; limited coverage on all networks.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 35mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:33
Sunset: 22:02
Civil dawn: 03:30
Civil dusk: 23:05

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Beinn na Muice on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Dingwall station

Ben Wyvis approach; Easter Ross; junction for Kyle and Far North lines

38km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Inverness

Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North

45km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Beinn na Muice — common questions

How hard is Beinn na Muice?: Beinn na Muice is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 568m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Quad track on the lower moor, then deep heather and peat hag above 400m.
Where do I park for Beinn na Muice?: Standard parking is at NH221406 near Inverness. 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 na Muice?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn na Muice are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 na Muice?: 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 na Muice?: Poor. Remote north-west Highlands; limited coverage on all networks.
Is Beinn na Muice safe in winter?: The Strath Bran corridor is one of the colder spots in Wester Ross with easterly snow lying long. Cornices form along the eastern crags above the railway in big winters. SAIS Northern forecasts cover the Fannichs and give a useful read for this NH24 ridge.