Beinn Alligin
Beinn Alligin is a gem of a mountain. It's traverse involves the 'Horns of Alligin'. This part of the ridge looks really evil from the main summit and other angles, in reality the ridges of the three horns involve nothing more than simple walking on fairly narrow ridges. The only scrambling involved is that needed to get on and off the horns:- and that is as hard as the 'bad step' on Striding Edge in the Lake District.

Beinn Alligin seen from Beinn Dearg

Sgurr Mhor, seen from Tom na Gruagaich

The principal summit, Sgurr Mhor has a deep gash on its southern face and it's quite awesome to look down into it from the top and see the ground six hundred meters below framed between two parallel vertical walls.

Steep terraces

Above the deep gash on Sgurr Mhor

Further easy scrambling can be found on the ascent of the second summit, Tom na Gruagaich but this can be bypassed to the path that does a rising traverse beneath the crest. The only diffult section of this ridge is a block 5ft tall with a little exposure on the west side should you slip while you try and negotitate it. The summit is crowned by a well built stone trig point and reveals superior views of Loch Torridon and the Hebrides. The easy decent can be taken down Coire nan Laogh though the sporty scramblers among you may opt to take on the southern arm of this corrie .

Liathach
Liathach is the 'jewel' in the Torridonian 'Crown'. It's regarded as the most serious mainland munro. This isn't hard to see. Even if you don't tackle the ridge connecting the two principle summits the approaches are still very steep particularly onto the eastern top.

The western ridge of Mullach an Rathain

In Coire Lieth Mhor

The easternmost approach to Liathach

The easiest way up to the eastern top, Spidean a' Choire Leith, is by way of Coire Lieth Mhor. The way up starts abruptly but easily from the road up a well built footpath before easing in the lower part of the corrie. The path degenerates into loose stones and mud up to a deep skewed gully before striking up right up very steep slopes winding their way through broken cliffs. There are many occasions when everything above seems impregnable but the path is said to easily bypass these obstacles. Once on the ridge, the walk to the summit is rough but easy though the ridge is still pretty narrow.

Other routes of ascent involve an ascent from the extreme east end. This tackles a path up scree slopes to reach the steep ridge where apparently an easy scramble takes you on to the ridge above.

The eastern ridge of Liathach

The northern pinnacles of Liathach

The southern ridge of Mullach an Rathain

The Western top of Liathach, Mullach an Rathain, is less intimidating to reach. The usual route to the ridge is via the corrie, Toll Bhan, to the south of the summit. The headwall of this corrie is steep but easy with a zigzagging path on the lower part of the headwall becoming loose and splitting up towards the top. There are no crags to worry about here. From the southern ridge, the ascent to the summit is broad and easy. Sporting scramblers wil take the ridge that is the western arm of the corrie. If you fall off this ridge down its western slopes then you have the added benefit of getting back to the youth hostel in no time at all!

Those who are really intimidated by steepness can still get to this summit from the very long broad western ridge though this route really is long and not in character with the rest of the mountain.

Super steep Am Fasarinen

Long long drops to the road

The highlight for most folk will be the ridge connecting the two principle peaks. This ridge is pinnacled with the crowning pinnacle known as Am Fasarinen. The traverse of the pinnacles is very sensational involving very exposed (though easy) scrambling. The drop to the north is vertical while the south to the south is super steep and continues all the way down to the road. There is a path bypassing the pinnacles though this is also exposed and is said to be in a state of collapse. The warden at the youth hostel says it's far safer to stick to the ridge where you have solid rock.

For the mountaineers, a classic traverse is the horseshoe of ridges surrounding Coire na Caime. The northern ridges of the respective principle summits are both graded as rock climbs on spectacular steep narrow ridges. It's said that these ridges are loose and crumbling so care is needed here.

Beinn Eighe
Beinn Eighe has the longest ridge in this group of mountains. The ridge is generally very rocky and devoid of vegetation making for slow going. The ridge is slightly narrow in general and without diffulty except at either end of the main ridge. The western end of the ridge sees an obstacle called the 'ugly step'. This is a rock step on the western end of the plateau like summit, Coinneach Mhor. The rock step drops down to the ridge leading to Sail Mhor.

Beinn Eighe seen from the south

Sail Mhor seen from the west

The eastern end of the ridge has the black carls of Beinn Eighe. This is a short pinnacled ridge and is entirely optional but is said to be a sensational scramble. The best aproach to the main ridge is via Coire an Laoigh. A well engineered path takes you up to the corrie from the road. From there you can either make a direct ascent the steep headwall or follow the pleasant rocky southern arm of the corrie to the main ridge.

Coire an Laoigh

The southern arm of Coire an Laoigh

The principle summit on the main ridge

Beinn Eighe has the much photographed triple buttress of Coire Mhic Fearchair. This is a spectacular cliff face many hundreds of meters high which provides some classic rock climbs. The principle summit of Beinn Eighe, Ruadh Stac Mor forms the eastern arm of this corrie and is a broad generally quite rocky summit. The easiest approach to this summit is up the stone chute that exits on the bealach between Ruadh Stac Mhor and the main ridge. This route is steep but not too loose and without difficulty under summer conditions.

Sail Mhor seen from the stone chute

The Triple Buttress seen from below

Ruadh Stac Beag and Meall a' Ghlubhais seen from Beinn Eighe

Beinn Dearg
Beinn Dearg sits back from the road north of Liathach. It is a fine mountain, although one that doesn't reach munro status but just a few centimetres. The most convenient route on and off the mountain are also rather steep. The mountain also has a fine pinnacle on its eastern ridge that offers some entertainment.

Beinn Dearg seen from the west

Looking up to point 882m on its ascent

The two pinnacles seen from Beinn Dearg

The main approach route is the same as for Beinn Alligin, following the path up Coire Mhic Nobuil and crossing the bridge further up the valley. The path splits from the Beinn Alligin path just below the Horns of Alligin. From you you continue up Bealach a' Chomhla to it's saddle point separating Beinn Alligin from Beinn Dearg. It is here that you ascend Beinn Dearg. The way up appears steep, and at first there is no path to follow.

The way up follows a patch of heather steeply diagonally up and right above a scree/boulder slope. Once above this the gradient relents slightly and you may catch a small path. Be aware though that the path does tend to wander away. Continue upwards, past a level terrace aiming for a gap in the outcrops that will get you back on the crest of this blunt nose. It is here that a proper path establishes itself and the gradient of the ascent relents a little. Looking back, you are offered fine views of Beinn Alligin, and looking down, you are aware that steep ground prevails all around. The way up from here is easy, punctuated with one or two minor but easy steps.

Once you reach point 882m, the ridge across to Beinn Dearg reveals itself to be a mainly fine easy ridge walk. One section on the way upto Beinn Dearg has some minor exposure, but nothing serious. Getting to the summit of Beinn Dearg, the views of the surrounding peaks offer sights from unusual angles. It is, for instance not possible to see the northern corries of Liathach from other summits.

The interesting pinnacle

Looking back at the rocksteps

Beinn Dearg seen from its east ridge

The walk continues east to tackle the pinnacles. The first pinnacle is a walk, the second pinnacle looks more spectacular. Sticking to the crest reveals no difficulties. Initially you are invited to traverse a short narrow scramble, but the main pinnacle itself offers just an airy walk. Getting off the pinncle is easy until two rocksteps further down. The rocksteps are no higher than a person, however you need to think about your moves. Hand and footholds are plentiful, with exposure at one point inviting a fall of about 10 meters.

Beyond the pinnacles, the ridge broadens out to become a trivial traverse to the eastern point of Carn na Feola. This is the best place to survey the western summits of Beinn Dearg. To descend, back track to the previous saddle point and make a diagonal descent south eastwards to the glen below. The ground here is steep, but not dangerously so. Once you reach the stream, a path, rough at first, can be followed back down to the car park.

Other Summits
There are many other summits worthy of a good mention.

Loch Maree from Slioch's eastern ridges

Baosbheinn seen from Beinn Dearg

Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin from the south

Slioch is a fine isolated summit with great views over the remote summits of the Fisherfield and Letterwe forests (known as the last great wilderness). When seen from the western side of Loch Maree it looks like a fierce tower. But from the east side, the mountain has a wide corrie flanked by easy ridges to get up to it's summit. As said it's on the edge of a great wilderness. Looking north, you'll find no roads for 20 miles. The next road lies behind the last big mountain you can see!

There are other fine little summits including Ruadh Stac Beag these tend to be just as rocky as their larger counterparts but more 'stumpy'.

Low Walks
North Glen Torridon has many walks to suit a relaxed pace. The coast of Loch Torridon between Diabeg and Alligin is particularly fine with many secluded bays, rocky scrambly knolls and seals to watch! There's a house completely isolated from the rest of the roads that is still habited. While you may be 3km from the road, you seldom feel alone with much fishing activity to be been out on the loch with boats darting about reeling up there fishing nets. The walk to Craig Youth Hostel, 5km distant from the nearest road is well worth doing as well.

Coastal scenery at Diabeg

Easy coastal scrambling

The Walk round the back of Liathach follows a fine rocky and generally dry path. The view up into Coire na Caime is staggering and is guaranteed to satisfy in any weather. This is really an easy cross country walk. Tough folk will want to do a cross country route from Torridon, go through the Flowerdale forest and end up on the Gairloch road. Watch out for big rivers!

Meanwhile Loch Maree provides walks both short and long. The 'mountain trail' near Kinlochewe takes you through a rare Caledonian forest on to the mountain moorland above. Meanwhile if you feel tough try a walk along the north coast of Loch Maree. This is some 20 - 30km long, very undulating and takes you away from Loch Maree from time to time. There are no escape routes once in the wilderness so it requires a lot of commitment - but the scenery is passes through is of the finest quality!