Marilyn · North-West Highlands
Ben Dreavie
Ben Dreavie stands above Loch Stack Lodge on the southern edge of the Cape Wrath wilderness, north of the A838 between Laxford Bridge and Durness. The NC 26 39 location gives it a panorama of Foinaven's ridge and the loch-strewn ground around Loch a' Garbh-bhaid Mor.
Quick facts
- Height
- 512.2m/ 1680ft
- Grid ref
- NC 26100 39829
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
blanket bog 55% · heather moorland 30% · rocky summit 15%
Park near the bridge at Achfary or at Laxford Bridge (NC 23 46) and follow the public path eastwards before turning south up the heathery west ridge. A small cairn marks the top above a band of low crags. Around 11 km return with 480m of climb.
Terrain
Deep heather on the lower ridge gives way to short turf and gneiss outcrops above 350m. The flanks hold numerous lochans and seepage lines that need careful weaving in wet weather.
In winter
The hill is exposed to direct Atlantic weather and rime forms readily on the summit knolls. In hard frost the approach across boggy ground becomes much easier, but spindrift drifts behind the crags can be deep.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow7h 37m
- Edinburgh8h 39m
OS maps: OS Landranger 15, OS Explorer 445
Mobile signal: Poor. No reliable signal on summit or approach. Emergency contacts before departure.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:13
- Sunset
- 22:28
- Civil dawn
- 02:55
- Civil dusk
- 23:46
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Ben Dreavie on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ben Dreavie — common questions
- How hard is Ben Dreavie?
- Ben Dreavie is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Deep heather on the lower ridge gives way to short turf and gneiss outcrops above 350m.
- When is the best time to climb Ben Dreavie?
- The standard good-weather months for Ben Dreavie 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 Ben Dreavie?
- 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 Ben Dreavie?
- Poor. No reliable signal on summit or approach. Emergency contacts before departure.
- Is Ben Dreavie safe in winter?
- The hill is exposed to direct Atlantic weather and rime forms readily on the summit knolls. In hard frost the approach across boggy ground becomes much easier, but spindrift drifts behind the crags can be deep.
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