Graham · Skye & The Small Isles
Belig
Belig (701m) is the eastern outlier of Skye's Red Cuillin, a steep gabbro-and-granite cone above Glen Sligachan in the NG54 square. Linked by sharp ridges to Garbh-bheinn and Glas Bheinn Mhor, it forms part of the airy traverse that ends at Sgurr nan Each. Looking west the Black Cuillin dominate; eastward the eye runs out over Loch Slapin to the Strathaird hills.
Quick facts
- Height
- 701.6m/ 2302ft
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 575 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG543240
- Parking
- NG539237
- Nearest
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
gabbro rock 50% · heather moorland 30% · grassy hollows 20%
From the lay-by at the head of Loch Slapin cross the burn and pick up the eroded stalkers' track climbing the steep south-east flank. The path zig-zags onto the south ridge at around 500m and a fine rocky crest leads directly to the cairn. Most parties continue west to Garbh-bheinn, returning by the bealach to Loch Ainort.
Terrain
Boggy lochside approach, then very steep slopes of loose granite scree and cropped turf. The summit ridge is rocky but the moves stay easy class 1. Loose footing on the descent is the main risk — the south-east face acts as a natural rubbish chute for cobbles loosed by walkers above.
In winter
Maritime Skye sees snow only intermittently but the steep south face holds neve into April in colder years. The narrow rocky ridge above the bealach becomes a Grade I winter route under hard snow. SAIS Skye and Lochalsh forecasts are essential reading once the Cuillin whiten.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 39m
- Edinburgh4h 22m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Skye Red Cuillin; limited coverage from most networks.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:39
- Sunset
- 22:05
- Civil dawn
- 03:36
- Civil dusk
- 23:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Belig.
Around Belig on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station
Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton
22km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
21km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Isle of Raasay Distillery
Raasay — new island distillery with rooms; Dun Caan walks from the door
13km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Belig — common questions
- How hard is Belig?
- Belig is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 575m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Boggy lochside approach, then very steep slopes of loose granite scree and cropped turf.
- Where do I park for Belig?
- Standard parking is at NG539237 near Fort William. 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 Belig?
- The standard good-weather months for Belig 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 Belig?
- 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 Belig?
- Poor. Remote Skye Red Cuillin; limited coverage from most networks.
- Is Belig safe in winter?
- Maritime Skye sees snow only intermittently but the steep south face holds neve into April in colder years. The narrow rocky ridge above the bealach becomes a Grade I winter route under hard snow. SAIS Skye and Lochalsh forecasts are essential reading once the Cuillin whiten.