Get Lost Mountaineering

Beinn Alligin from SW end of Coire Mhic Nobuil path

Start/Finish

Car park on the W side of the bridge over the Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil on the road from Torridon village to Inveralligin.

Distance/Time

11 km.       About 7 hours.

Peaks

Tom na Gruagaich, 922 m, NG 859 601.

Sgurr Mhor, 986 m, NG 866 613.      OS sheet 24.

Introduction

Many consider Beinn Alligin to be one of the finest mountains in Scotland. It is a good introduction to the Torridon mountains, being easier to traverse than either Liathach or Beinn Eighe. The views of the surrounding mountains are stunning as are the seascapes.  The main route given ascends Tom na Gruagaich by an exposed scramble but an easier route is also given.

Route

(1) Take the path on the left (W) side of the Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil. This heads NNW across rough ground although the path itself is good, even when wet. Reach the foot of Coir’ nan Laogh. The main path continues into the corrie and is the usual direct route to Tom na Gruagaich. Leave the main path and ascend the ridge on the left (W). Although it may be difficult to locate at first, there is a good path up this ridge which is initially gentle and grassy but soon becomes steep and rocky. Some exposed scrambling at grade 1/2 will be needed to ascend the ridge. At the top of the ridge, walk E around the rim of Coir’ nan Laogh to rejoin the main path and ascend easily to the large summit cairn of Tom na Gruagaich, 922 m, which sits on the edge of high cliffs to the E.

(2) Descend steeply N on a narrow rocky crest with a sheer drop on the right but easier slopes to the left. A path on the left side of the ridge avoids many of the difficulties. Reach a bealach at 766 m (from where one can safely escape W) and from there climb a broader ridge NE, curving round to E, on a steep path but still with sheer drops to the right. Cross the deep cleft of Eag Dubh just before reaching the large summit cairn of Sgurr Mhor, 986 m.

(3) Descend steeply E, on a clear path, down a narrow ridge to reach a bealach at 757 m. Continue on the obvious path which goes over the three Horns of Alligin (Na Rathanan) however the direct route over the rocky tops involves some straightforward but exposed scrambling. After the first horn, the ridge turns SE but the route is obvious. In places, there are avoiding paths which allow some of the more tricky sections to be bypassed. After the third horn, continue down the SE ridge, still on an obvious path. Almost at the bottom of this ridge, there is some easy, and short, down scrambling before an easy walk across the moor to the main path in Coire Mhic Nobuil, crossing the burn en route, then an easy stroll along the SE bank back to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 21^stJuly, 2009.  On 23^rd May, 1992, and 13^th July, 2014, the same route was walked but the path up Coir' nan Laoigh was followed.

(b) There are two ways to avoid crossing the horns. Either retrace the outer route to Tom na Gruagaich then take the main path down the Coir’ nan Laogh or retrace slightly down the W/SW ridge of SgurrMhor and walk off W towards An Reidh-choire then take the long walk around the W flank of Beinn Alligin.

(c) The SYHA at Torridon is very well placed and a lovely place to stay. It is a modern purpose built building which is very well managed. It's only fault is that it is extremely popular so, if planning to stay there, book well in advance!