How hard is Creag Thoraraidh?

Creag Thoraraidh is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Old Red Sandstone outcrops break through dry heather.

When is the best time to climb Creag Thoraraidh?

The standard good-weather months for Creag Thoraraidh 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 Creag Thoraraidh?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How hard is Creag Thoraraidh?

Creag Thoraraidh is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Old Red Sandstone outcrops break through dry heather.

When is the best time to climb Creag Thoraraidh?

The standard good-weather months for Creag Thoraraidh 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 Creag Thoraraidh?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: thejackrustles / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · North-West Highlands

Creag Thoraraidh

Creag Thoraraidh is a 404m sandstone bluff in the ND04 grid square just north of Helmsdale, offering a fine prospect over the Caithness coast and the Ord. A 404.5 m top in the North-West Highlands.

Quick facts

Height: 404.5m/ 1327ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: ND 04062 18749
Nearest city: Inverness· 82km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather moorland 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Park near Loth on the A9, then follow farm tracks up the Loth Burn before climbing the broad heather flank. Roughly 3-4 hours round trip.

Terrain

Old Red Sandstone outcrops break through dry heather. The lower farm ground is grazed and crossed by stock fences with stiles in places.

In winter

Coast-edge location means snow seldom settles. The main winter issue is mud after thaw on the lower farm tracks.

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

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow6h 8m
Edinburgh6h 48m

OS maps: OS Landranger 17, OS Explorer 444E

Mobile signal: Poor. All networks fail on this hill; the nearest mast is far away.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

20h 44mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:09
Sunset: 22:21
Civil dawn: 02:53
Civil dusk: 23:37

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Creag Thoraraidh on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Helmsdale station

Far North coast; Strath of Kildonan; Flow Country gateway

4km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Clynelish

Brora — waxy, coastal-Highland classic on the Far North line

20km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Creag Thoraraidh — common questions

How hard is Creag Thoraraidh?: Creag Thoraraidh is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Old Red Sandstone outcrops break through dry heather.
When is the best time to climb Creag Thoraraidh?: The standard good-weather months for Creag Thoraraidh 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 Creag Thoraraidh?: 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 Creag Thoraraidh?: Poor. All networks fail on this hill; the nearest mast is far away.
Is Creag Thoraraidh safe in winter?: Coast-edge location means snow seldom settles. The main winter issue is mud after thaw on the lower farm tracks.

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