Home » Hills » Corbetts » Northern Highlands » Quinag
Quinag
Set in the far north, Quinag is a stunning mountain from any angle.
Above the many crags and rocky terraces, Quinag has five summits, three of which are distinctive enough to be classed Corbetts - Spidean Coinich, Sail Gharbh and Sail Ghorm.
Main route summary
From lower levels, Quinag looks quite impenetrable, the mountain shielding itself with many cliffs and buttresses.
However drive up the A894 to the pass between Quinag and Glas Bheinn and you'll find out it is relatively straighforward to access the Corbett peaks from a car-park.
Quinag can also be climbed from Tulmore to the south-west, though this will require 150m more ascent and more de-touring.
| Corbetts |
Spidean Coinich (764m)
Sail Gharbh (808m)
Sail Ghorm (776m)
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| Ascent |
1150m (3,775ft)
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| Distance |
13km (8m)
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| Time |
walk : 5:10hr*, run : 2:30hr
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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| Start/finish |
Car park on A894
(grid ref : NC232274)
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Profile
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Maps
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Which map to choose ?
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Downloads
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| Terrain | | easy |
 | difficult |
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| Navigation | | easy |
 | testing |
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| Effort | | stroll |
| long day |
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| Scenery | | ok |
 | stunning |
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| Meanings |
Quinag : 'milk bucket'
Spidean Coinich : 'mossy peak'
Sail Gharbh : 'rough heel'
Sail Gorm : 'blue heel'
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Route detail & map »
Getting there
- Just north of Inchnadamph, the main road splits, with the A837 heading to Lochinver and the A894 heading north.
On the A894, 3km north of the junction and just below the highest point on the road, there is a car-park on the east side with room for around 10 to 15 cars.
Spidean Coinich
- From the car-park, cross the road and start on an old stalkers path.
A John Muir Trust sign with leaflets is followed by a bridge over the Allt Sgiathaig.
- Beyond the bridge the path travels for a few metres then splits, the left fork being much fainter than the right.
Head up on the left fork, which can initially be a bit wet.
- Further on the path becomes drier as it climbs through the heather and over some rocky slabs and joins the south-east crest of Spidean Coinich.
Ahead a cairn can be seen - this isn't the summit of the first corbett, but a minor top at c620m.
- On from this minor top, the path drops on bouldery ground to a small lochan (not marked on the OS Landranger map), then climbs steeply to Spidean Coinich's summit.
This summit is a wonderful place to stop for a bit and take in the rest of the green mountain.
Sail Ghorm
- Beyond Spidean Coinich an obvious path drops to a small bealach with a lochan.
- From this, traverse without difficulty over the narrow summit (marked 713m) and drop down steep grassy ground to Bealach a'Chornaidh.
- The path zig-zags steeply up towards the next point (marked 745m) - easier than it looks.
From here there are fine views over Kylsku Bridge to Fionaven, Arkle, Ben Hope and afar.
Quinag from here appears similar in aspect and terrain to Beinn Alligin.
- Down to next bealach, there are some crags and rocky ledges that resemble Stac Pollaidh's towers - an excellent vantage point.
- The path climbs up and around the east side of next bump to next gap, from where it's a gradual climb up to Sail Gorm.
Fine views from this summit - you can see Ben Klibreck clearly.
Sail Gharbh
- Return to the gap just before the summit at 745m.
- Ahead you can choose to climb back up this minor top, or skip some height by contouring to the left.
Doing the latter will require some careful footwork as some of the ground is loose.
- The route is obvious beyond the gap between the 745m summit and Sail Gharbh.
- The pink sandstone gives way suddenly to grey quartzite on summit crest, on which a trig point and cairn sit.
Superb views in all directions.
Return
- Aim back to bealach between Sail Gharbh and the minor top at 745m.
- Find a small cairn just off the crest on its south side and pick up a rough path to follow down to Bealach a'Chornaidh.
- An obvious path heads back south-east past Lochan Bealach Cornaidh.
- With a fine view to Conival, the path gradually improves, with the last mile or so back to the car being well constructed.
Photos of route »
Quinag from Conival
Quinag from Kylesku
Sail Gharbh from Spidean Coinich's south-east shoulder
On the way up Spidean Coinich
Spidean Coinich on the way to Sail Ghorm
Sail Gharbh from the west
Looking from Sail Ghorm to Sail Gharbh's cliffs
Ben More Assynt and Conival from Sail Ghorm
Suilven from Sail Ghorm
Kylesku Bridge
Sail Ghorm from the north
Quinag and Ardvreck Castle on Loch Assynt
Quinag from Loch Assynt
Looking towards Lochinver from Quinag
Foinaven above Kylesku Bridge from Quinag
More photos are on Flickr !
Other hill routes nearby »
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Ben More Assynt, Conival and Breabag
Bouldery peaks with fine views over Coigach and Inverpolly. A visit to the nearby Bone Caves is also recommended.
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Foinaven, Arkle and Meall Horn
Enjoy superb ridge-walking on these impressive mountains with their dramatic corries. Stunning vast views can be savoured on clear days on one of the best hill routes in Scotland.
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Ben Stack
Schiehallion-esque in appearance, this shapely hill has an easily gained summit with stunning views. Coming soon.
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Suilven and Canisp
Canisp and iconic Suilven sit high above vast moorlands pitted with lochans (coming soon).
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Merkland Corbetts
Between drab moorland and the dramatic north-west coast is a quiet transition area with several peaks
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Inverpolly
In the north-west of Scotland are some of Scotland's most dramatic peaks including Cul Mor, Cul Beag and weird Stac Pollaidh.
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Accommodation & food »
Hotels &
Guest Houses |
Suilven B&B, Rhue
Kylesku Hotel
Ladysmith Guesthouse, Ullapool
Old School B&B, Kinlochbervie
Summer Isles Hotel, Achiltibue
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| Food |
West Coast Deli, Ullapool
The Arch Inn, Ullapool
The Ceilidh Place, Ullapool
Cocoa Mountain, Durness
The Pier Cafe, Lairg
The Secret Tea Garden, Drumbeg
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Campsites,
Self Catering
& Hostels |
Inchnadamph Lodge Hostel
SYHA Hostel, Ullapool
SYHA Hostel, Achmelvich Beach
Ardmair Point campsite
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Forecasts & other useful info »
Guided days on these mountains »
We don't have any guided events up Quinag currently on our calendar of regular events, but we hope to do so soon.
Alternatively, if you would like a bespoke day or two hiking over these peaks, we would be delighted to organise something for you and your group.
Check out our
Bespoke Guiding page for more information.
Previous guided events on our blog :
