Munro · Far North
Ben Hope
Ben Hope (927m) is the most northerly Munro, rising in splendid isolation above Strath More in Sutherland. Its long west face presents a near-continuous line of sandstone crags while the south ridge offers a straightforward walk-in route. Climbers know it as the natural finish or start to a Munro round, and on a clear day the summit reveals Cape Wrath, Foinaven and the empty Flow Country to the east. The trig point sits a few metres back from a sheer eastern drop.
Quick facts
- Height
- 927m/ 3041ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 816 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NC477501
- Parking
- NC462477
- Nearest
- Ullapool
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Open hillside path 50% · Rocky hillside 30% · Summit plateau 20%
Park at the small layby below Alltnacaillich and follow signed posts up the steep grass between the burn and the south buttress. The path zig-zags through a weakness in the crags then trends north along the broad summit ridge to the trig point. The descent reverses the line; the cliffed eastern flank should not be approached in mist.
Terrain
A signed footpath threads the lower crag band on a steep grass ramp; above this the ground eases onto stony tundra and short turf. Care is needed near the eastern edge where unseen drops appear suddenly in mist.
In winter
Outside the main SAIS regions but exposed to the full force of Arctic and Atlantic weather; eastern aspects load heavily under westerly winds and large cornices form along the cliff line. Daylight collapses to under six hours at midwinter and the single-track A836 from Tongue can be unploughed for days.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 28m
- Edinburgh6h 31m
OS maps: OS Landranger 9
Mobile signal: Very limited signal. Tongue village (25km east) has better coverage. Ben Hope is the most northerly Munro — remote in every sense.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:16
- Sunset
- 22:19
- Civil dawn
- 03:02
- Civil dusk
- 23:33
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
On a long-distance route
Ben Hope sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Ben Hope on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ben Hope — common questions
- How hard is Ben Hope?
- Ben Hope is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 816m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: A signed footpath threads the lower crag band on a steep grass ramp; above this the ground eases onto stony tundra and short turf.
- Where do I park for Ben Hope?
- Standard parking is at NC462477 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 Ben Hope?
- The standard good-weather months for Ben Hope 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 Ben Hope?
- 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 Hope?
- Very limited signal. Tongue village (25km east) has better coverage. Ben Hope is the most northerly Munro — remote in every sense.
- Is Ben Hope safe in winter?
- Outside the main SAIS regions but exposed to the full force of Arctic and Atlantic weather; eastern aspects load heavily under westerly winds and large cornices form along the cliff line. Daylight collapses to under six hours at midwinter and the single-track A836 from Tongue can be unploughed for days.
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