Northwest Highlands
Beinn Eighe (Munro) — Parking
Beinn Eighe NNR Car Parks · Grid ref NG 998 650 · IV22 2PA · Free
Quick facts
- Grid reference
- NG 998 650
- Postcode (satnav)
- IV22 2PA
- Spaces
- ~30 at main Coire Mhic Fhearchair car park
- Cost
- Free
- Surface
- gravel
From the car park
The main Coire Mhic Fhearchair car park sits on the A896 Torridon road, approximately 3km west of Kinlochewe. The path heads south-west from the car park, crossing moorland on a clear stalker's track before climbing into the magnificent Coire Mhic Fhearchair — one of Scotland's finest mountain corries with its triple buttress. The route to the summit ridge continues from the back of the corrie via steep quartzite slopes.
The walk
Beinn Eighe (1,010m) is the UK's first National Nature Reserve, established 1951, and one of the great Torridonian peaks. The Coire Mhic Fhearchair route (16km return, 900m ascent) takes in one of Scotland's most spectacular corries — the triple buttresses of pale quartzite above a dark lochan are unforgettable. The ridge walk includes Ruadh-stac Mòr (the Munro summit) and Spidean Coire nan Clach. The Mountain Trail from the Kinlochewe end (8km, 550m) gives an alternative lower-level circuit with excellent nature reserve interpretation.
Facilities
- NNR information boards
- Trail network markers
Busy times
Beinn Eighe receives far fewer visitors than better-known hills despite its exceptional scenery. Summer weekends in July and August see the small car park fill, but the corrie itself rarely feels crowded. The nature reserve trails are busy with non-hillwalkers in summer. Autumn (September–October) gives excellent conditions with heather colour and fewer visitors.
Getting here without a car
Kinlochewe is served by a limited local bus from Inverness on the A832 corridor. From Kinlochewe village it is 3km to the main Coire Mhic Fhearchair car park on the A896 — no bus service covers this final stretch. Inverness has the nearest rail connection. A car is strongly recommended for Beinn Eighe access.
Winter access
The A896 Torridon road can be snowbound or icy in severe winter weather. The Coire Mhic Fhearchair approach involves moorland paths that can be very boggy after thaw. The summit ridge holds ice and snow from November to April — crampons and ice axe essential in winter conditions. The corrie faces north-west and can be avalanche-prone after heavy snowfall.
Overflow parking
Kinlochewe village car park (2km east). Some informal roadside parking on A896.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:22
- Sunset
- 21:15
- Civil dawn
- 04:33
- Civil dusk
- 22:04
NOAA Solar Calculator · 5 May 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What is special about Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve?
- Beinn Eighe was designated the UK's first National Nature Reserve in 1951. It protects ancient Caledonian pine forest, quartzite mountain terrain, and rare wildlife including golden eagles, red squirrels, pine martens, and ospreys on Loch Maree. The Mountain Trail gives access to nature reserve interpretation boards.
- How difficult is Coire Mhic Fhearchair to reach?
- The walk into Coire Mhic Fhearchair is approximately 7km from the car park on a good stalker's track across open moorland — accessible for fit walkers without technical mountaineering skills. The walk out from the corrie to the Munro summit involves steep quartzite slopes requiring hillwalking experience.
- Is the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail the same as the Munro route?
- No — the Mountain Trail from the Kinlochewe visitor centre car park is a separate, waymarked trail that circles to around 550m and gives excellent views without reaching the Munro summit. The Munro route starts from the A896 car park 3km west of Kinlochewe.
- How long does it take to climb Beinn Eighe?
- The Coire Mhic Fhearchair return route takes 6–8 hours for most hillwalkers. The full ridge traverse including Spidean Coire nan Clach is approximately 18km with over 1,000m of ascent — a full mountain day.