{"id":23708,"date":"2023-02-03T07:17:51","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T06:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=134780"},"modified":"2023-02-03T08:35:57","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T07:35:57","slug":"walk-beinn-eighe-highland","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/walk-beinn-eighe-highland\/","title":{"rendered":"Walk: Beinn Eighe, Highland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leaning over the island-strewn waters of twinkling Loch Maree is Britain\u2019s oldest National Nature Reserve, a sweep of glacier-carved mountains three million years in the making. Explore this stunning landscape on the 4-mile-long Mountain Trail. <\/p>

By Vivienne Crow\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 03 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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It\u2019s not every day you get to climb a nature trail through ancient forest and on bare rock to enter an exposed, windswept lunar-like landscape of ice-scraped quartzite slabs. It\u2019s not every day you get to walk in the company of golden eagles, sea eagles<\/a>, red deer<\/a> and, if you\u2019re very lucky, pine martens<\/a> and rare Scottish wildcats. But then, it\u2019s not every day you get to visit Torridon\u2019s Beinn Eighe, Britain\u2019s oldest and one of its highest National Nature Reserves.<\/p>\n

This is a land of superlatives, as hikers discover on the \u2018Mountain Trail\u2019 that climbs to 560m on its north-eastern flanks \u2013 the country\u2019s only waymarked mountain walk.<\/p>\n

Looking for more trails nearby? Check out our guide to Scotland\u2019s best walks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Beinn Eighe is\u00a0Britain\u2019s oldest and one of its highest National Nature Reserves\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Beinn Eighe trail<\/h2>\n

4 miles\/6.5km | 563m accent | 3.5 hours | moderate<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Grey Slope<\/h4>\n

Walk through the underpass from the Coille na Glas-Leitire car park beside Loch Maree on the A832. Keep left, ignoring the bridge.<\/p>\n

The path begins climbing through the \u2018Wood of the Grey Slope\u2019. The Scots pines that dominate \u2013 one of Britain\u2019s three native conifers \u2013 have existed here for eight millennia. That seems like a long time until you break free from the trees and are confronted by the giants of Torridon. The base of these mountains is made up of Lewisian gneiss which, at three billion years old, is among the oldest rock on Earth.<\/p>\n

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Slioch seen from southern shores of Loch Maree\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

2. Trumpet Rock<\/h4>\n

After a steep climb, watch for a sharp left bend at the \u2018Trumpet Rock\u2019. Although the trail is well constructed \u2013 with steps carved out of the bare rock \u2013 you need to keep your eyes peeled for the waymarker cairns amid all the shattered boulders.<\/p>\n

A second left bend higher up is easy to miss. You\u2019re now entering a zone on the mountain that hosts ground-hugging species usually confined to Arctic tundra; plants such as dwarf willow, bearberry and alpine clubmoss.<\/p>\n

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The snow-capped summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach, Beinn Eighe\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

3. Conservation Cairn<\/h4>\n

When you reach the \u2018Conservation Cairn\u2019, the trail\u2019s highest point, there\u2019s a sense of being totally immersed in the mountains. Dazzling quartzite-crowned summits loom magisterially and scree-covered ridges reach out to the distant sea.<\/p>\n

The trail continues past sparkling lochans and begins descending with views across Loch Maree to the distinctive peak of Slioch. Named cairns continue to lead the way, each with a story to tell, including the \u2018Ice Age\u2019 cairn where a passing glacier has scratched its mark into the quartzite.<\/p>\n

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Conservation Cairn on Beinn Eighe with the summit of Creag Dhubh in the distance\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

4. Loch Maree<\/h4>\n

Back in the pine and birch woods, go left at a path junction. The call of the cuckoos and warblers can be heard in spring, while primroses and bluebells return colour to the woodland floor.<\/p>\n

Keep left on nearing the road, crossing the bridge seen at the start to re-enter the car park via the underpass. The glorious lochside location makes a great spot for a picnic. Toilets can be found 1\/7 miles south-east, at the visitor centre (April-October) near Kinlochewe.<\/p>\n

Discover more great mountains<\/h4>\n

From Snowdon in Wales and Ben Nevis in Scotland to the towering heights of the Lake District Fells, here is our guide to the UK\u2019s most amazing mountains, including a brief look at the history of British mountain climbing, facts and the best peaks to climb<\/p>\n