Munro · Skye & The Small Isles
Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn)
Blà Bheinn (928m) — anglicised as Blaven — is the only Cuillin Munro separated from the main Black Cuillin ridge, standing in splendid isolation east of the main range above Loch Slapin. The hill is widely regarded as the finest viewpoint for photographing the Cuillin and offers a Cuillin scrambling experience without the navigation challenges of the main ridge. The summit ridge has two close tops with an airy traverse between them.
Quick facts
- Height
- 928.8m/ 3047ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 817 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG529217
- Parking
- NG561217
- Nearest
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Glen / path 30% · Steep corrie path 35% · Grade 1-2 summit scramble 35%
Park at the small lay-by on the B8083 at the head of Loch Slapin (between Torrin and Kilmarie). Take the path west into Coire Uaigneich, then climb the steep south-east shoulder onto the summit ridge. The connecting move between the two summits involves Grade 2 scrambling on a short rocky step. Most parties take in both tops. Around 8km return with 940m of ascent — a short, steep day with technical interest at the top.
Terrain
The walk into Coire Uaigneich crosses wet heathery moor before the path climbs steep boulder slopes onto the south-east shoulder. Linking the two summit tops involves a short Grade 2 scramble on a rocky step. The high point is a small platform with a boulder set beside the cairn. Compass readings are unreliable on Skye's gabbro and basalt.
In winter
A serious Skye winter mountaineering objective. Under winter conditions the summit traverse becomes a Grade I/II climb. The Cuillin gabbro and basalt readily ice with verglas. The Coire Uaigneich approach holds avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms. Daylight is brief; the B8083 stays accessible in normal conditions. Few parties tackle Blà Bheinn in winter without rope work.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 38m
- Edinburgh4h 22m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32
Mobile signal: Moderate signal at Broadford and on the B8083. Signal drops in Coire Uaigneich. No signal on summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:14
- Civil dawn
- 03:26
- Civil dusk
- 23:20
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Around Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn) on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station
Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton
24km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
22km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Isle of Raasay Distillery
Raasay — new island distillery with rooms; Dun Caan walks from the door
15km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn) — common questions
- How hard is Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn)?
- Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn) is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 817m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The walk into Coire Uaigneich crosses wet heathery moor before the path climbs steep boulder slopes onto the south-east shoulder.
- Where do I park for Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn)?
- Standard parking is at NG561217 near Fort William. 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 Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn)?
- The standard good-weather months for Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn) 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 Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn)?
- 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 Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn)?
- Moderate signal at Broadford and on the B8083. Signal drops in Coire Uaigneich. No signal on summit.
- Is Blabheinn (Bla Bheinn) safe in winter?
- A serious Skye winter mountaineering objective. Under winter conditions the summit traverse becomes a Grade I/II climb. The Cuillin gabbro and basalt readily ice with verglas. The Coire Uaigneich approach holds avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms. Daylight is brief; the B8083 stays accessible in normal conditions. Few parties tackle Blà Bheinn in winter without rope work.
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