What difficulty is Ben Hiel?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Ben Hiel comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Ground conditions: A short steep climb on heather and bracken with sandstone outcrops near the top.

How much drop does Ben Hiel have?

The drop is 210m: measured from the summit of Ben Hiel down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Ben Hiel?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Ben Hiel. 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 Ben Hiel?

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

By Gary

Photo: John Earnshaw / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

Submit a photo

Marilyn · North-West Highlands

Ben Hiel

Ben Hiel is a steep-sided 535m cone in the NC59 grid square, sitting above the south end of the Kyle of Tongue and forming a distinctive horizon from the village.

Quick facts

Height: 535m/ 1755ft
Prominence: 210 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NC 59583 50038
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

No GPX track yet

Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.

Submit your GPX

Standard route

blanket bog 50% · heather moorland 35% · rocky summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Park near the road bridge at Coldbackie or by the Kinloch estate, then take the old stalkers path up the western flank before a final push over heather to the summit cairn. Roughly 4 hours.

Terrain

A short steep climb on heather and bracken with sandstone outcrops near the top. Lower slopes can be tick-heavy in summer; bracken hides ankle traps.

In winter

Snow lies briefly on the conical summit but the wind off the Kyle of Tongue can be brutal. Cornice formation on the north edge is occasional; check before approaching the lip.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Ben Hiel. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow7h 37m
Edinburgh7h 7m

OS maps: OS Landranger 10, OS Explorer 447N, OS Explorer 447S, OS Explorer 448N

Mobile signal: Poor. Very remote Sutherland glen; no mobile infrastructure within range.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 19mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:44
Sunset: 19:43
Civil dawn: 06:04
Civil dusk: 20:23

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

Got a photo of Ben Hiel?

30 seconds, helps other walkers.

Submit a photo

Walked it with a GPX?

From your watch or phone.

Submit GPX

Trip report?

Share what it was actually like.

Get in touch →

Around Ben Hiel on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Lairg station

Central Sutherland; Ben Klibreck approach; gateway to Far North inland

45km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Durness

Cape Wrath base; Smoo Cave; Sandwood Bay walk-in

26km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Ben Hiel — common questions

What difficulty is Ben Hiel?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Ben Hiel comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Ground conditions: A short steep climb on heather and bracken with sandstone outcrops near the top.
How much drop does Ben Hiel have?: The drop is 210m: measured from the summit of Ben Hiel down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Ben Hiel?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Ben Hiel. 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 Ben Hiel?: 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 Ben Hiel?: Poor. Very remote Sutherland glen; no mobile infrastructure within range.
Is Ben Hiel safe in winter?: Snow lies briefly on the conical summit but the wind off the Kyle of Tongue can be brutal. Cornice formation on the north edge is occasional; check before approaching the lip.

Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly

One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.