Marilyn · North-West Highlands
An Lean-charn
An Lean-charn ("the slender cairn") stands 521m in the NC41 square deep inside the Naver Forest deer ground, west of Loch Loyal. Few walkers reach it in any year. 521 m — a North-West Highlands hill.
Quick facts
- Height
- 521m/ 1709ft
- Grid ref
- NC 41980 52568
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
blanket bog 60% · heather moorland 25% · rocky summit 15%
The shortest approach uses the Altnaharra-Tongue road, leaving a vehicle near Loch Loyal and crossing the rough watershed pathless to gain the broad summit ridge from the south. Expect 6-7 hours.
Terrain
Deep peat hags and pool systems dominate the long approach. The summit itself is a tidy quartzite cairn on a narrow crest, surprisingly well defined.
In winter
Bog freezes hard from December and becomes much easier to cross when locked solid. Days are too short for safe winter rounds without a bivouac plan.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow7h 46m
- Edinburgh8h 32m
OS maps: OS Landranger 9, OS Explorer 446
Mobile signal: Poor. Very remote north Sutherland; no reliable coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:11
- Sunset
- 22:28
- Civil dawn
- 02:52
- Civil dusk
- 23:47
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around An Lean-charn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
An Lean-charn — common questions
- How hard is An Lean-charn?
- An Lean-charn is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Deep peat hags and pool systems dominate the long approach.
- When is the best time to climb An Lean-charn?
- The standard good-weather months for An Lean-charn are March, April, 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 An Lean-charn?
- 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 An Lean-charn?
- Poor. Very remote north Sutherland; no reliable coverage.
- Is An Lean-charn safe in winter?
- Bog freezes hard from December and becomes much easier to cross when locked solid. Days are too short for safe winter rounds without a bivouac plan.
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