Munro · North-West Highlands
Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich
Tom na Gruagaich (922m) — "hill of the maiden" — is the southern Munro of Beinn Alligin in Torridon, the "Jewelled Mountain" of the western Highlands. The summit is a small platform with a trig pillar perched at the top of the steep south face above the Coire nan Laoigh approach. The classic Alligin traverse takes both Munros and the Horns — one of the great Highland ridge days.
Quick facts
- Height
- 922m/ 3025ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 811 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG859601
- Parking
- NG868576
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 82km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Moorland path 25% · Steep hillside 40% · Summit / ridge 35%
Park at the Coire Mhic Nobuil bridge on the Diabaig road north-west of Torridon village. Take the path west over the small footbridge into Coire nan Laoigh and follow the well-built stone staircase steeply up the south face. The summit gives spectacular views down Loch Torridon to Applecross. Continue north-east over the steep drop and re-ascent to Sgurr Mhor and the Horns. Around 11km with 1200m of ascent for the full circuit.
Terrain
The Coire nan Laoigh path is a remarkable stone-pitched staircase climbing the steep south face on Torridonian sandstone slabs. Above the corrie rim the ridge between Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mhor is exposed and stony with one sharp downward step. The trig point sits at the very edge of the south face — give the lip wide berth in mist.
In winter
A serious Torridon winter mountaineering objective. The Coire nan Laoigh face holds wind-loaded slab and the connecting ridge ices to Grade I/II terrain. SAIS Torridon publishes forecasts for the area. The Diabaig road is single-track and rarely gritted; daylight is brief at this latitude.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 0m
- Edinburgh4h 28m
OS maps: OS Landranger 19, OS Landranger 24
Mobile signal: No signal above 300m. Limited signal at Torridon. The Beinn Alligin circuit is the standard approach to both summits.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:27
- Sunset
- 22:15
- Civil dawn
- 03:19
- Civil dusk
- 23:23
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich.
Around Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich?
- Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 811m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Coire nan Laoigh path is a remarkable stone-pitched staircase climbing the steep south face on Torridonian sandstone slabs.
- Where do I park for Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich?
- Standard parking is at NG868576 near Ullapool. 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 Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich 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 Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich?
- 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 Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich?
- No signal above 300m. Limited signal at Torridon. The Beinn Alligin circuit is the standard approach to both summits.
- Is Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich safe in winter?
- A serious Torridon winter mountaineering objective. The Coire nan Laoigh face holds wind-loaded slab and the connecting ridge ices to Grade I/II terrain. SAIS Torridon publishes forecasts for the area. The Diabaig road is single-track and rarely gritted; daylight is brief at this latitude.
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