Is Beinn Suidhe a hard climb?

Beinn Suidhe is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 554m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Ground conditions: West Highland Way for the initial walk-in, then estate track and a heather pull onto the broad shoulder.

How much drop does Beinn Suidhe have?

The drop is 280m: measured from the summit of Beinn Suidhe down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Beinn Suidhe?

Park at NN194374. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.

What's the best month to climb Beinn Suidhe?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Beinn Suidhe. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Beinn Suidhe?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

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

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Graham · Glen Coe & Lochaber

Beinn Suidhe

Beinn Suidhe (676m) — the seat hill — sits south of Loch Tulla in the NN24 square, a satellite of the bigger Bridge of Orchy peaks. Its 280m of re-ascent gives it a clear individuality and the cairn looks across Loch Dochard to Ben Starav and the wild upper reach of Glen Kinglass. A natural pairing with Beinn nan Aighenan or as a stand-alone afternoon outing.

Quick facts

Height: 676.3m/ 2219ft
Prominence: 280 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~554 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NN211400
Parking: NN194374
Nearest city: Fort William· 36km
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 and bracken 55% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 15%

13km · 554m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Park at Victoria Bridge near Bridge of Orchy and follow the West Highland Way south for a kilometre. Branch off west along the rough track toward Clashgour, then climb the broad north-east shoulder of Beinn Suidhe on heather and short grass. The summit cairn perches on a rock plinth three metres beyond a smaller cairn — be sure to touch the right one.

Terrain

West Highland Way for the initial walk-in, then estate track and a heather pull onto the broad shoulder. Above 500m the going changes to short grass and patches of slabby schist that grip well. The summit area is small and rocky.

In winter

Bridge of Orchy gets serious west-coast snow and Beinn Suidhe holds a deep cover on its north and east flanks. The schist slabs near the cairn ice up quickly. SAIS Glencoe forecasts cover the broader area — the connecting ridge to Beinn nan Aighenan can produce sizeable cornices on its south side.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

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

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 47m
Edinburgh3h 38m

Parking: NN194374

OS maps: OS Landranger 50

Mobile signal: Moderate. EE connects on higher ground; Vodafone intermittent.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:49
Sunset: 18:22
Civil dawn: 07:11
Civil dusk: 19:00

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Beinn Suidhe on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Bridge of Orchy station

Black Mount; Beinn Dorain, Beinn an Dothaidh, Beinn Achaladair, Beinn a Chreachain

9km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kinlochleven

West Highland Way stop under the Mamores

22km 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 Suidhe — common questions

Is Beinn Suidhe a hard climb?: Beinn Suidhe is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 554m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Ground conditions: West Highland Way for the initial walk-in, then estate track and a heather pull onto the broad shoulder.
How much drop does Beinn Suidhe have?: The drop is 280m: measured from the summit of Beinn Suidhe down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Beinn Suidhe?: Park at NN194374. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
What's the best month to climb Beinn Suidhe?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Beinn Suidhe. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Beinn Suidhe?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Beinn Suidhe?: Moderate. EE connects on higher ground; Vodafone intermittent.
Is Beinn Suidhe safe in winter?: Bridge of Orchy gets serious west-coast snow and Beinn Suidhe holds a deep cover on its north and east flanks. The schist slabs near the cairn ice up quickly. SAIS Glencoe forecasts cover the broader area — the connecting ridge to Beinn nan Aighenan can produce sizeable cornices on its south side.

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