Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh from Carbreck
Hillwalking route up Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh from Carbreck
From the roadside a few miles south of Durness a fine track leads to the base of the twins of Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh. Thereafter, grassy slopes rise up to the bouldery summit crests of these mountains.
Route outline
| Corbetts | ||||
| Ascent | 1050m (3440ft) | |||
| Distance | 13km (8m) | |||
| Time | 5:00hr | |||
| Start/finish | Carbreck Grid Ref : NC391553 | |||
| Terrain |
| |||
| Nav |
| |||
| Effort |
| |||
| Scenery |
| |||
One of two direct routes heading up Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh, this one approaches from Carbreck a few miles south of Durness. With a fine track to follow to the base of the mountains, this is the more popular of the two routes, but possibly not the more scenic. Beyond the track, grassy hillsides lead up to quartzite boulderfield covered crests, making for tricky navigation in mist. However, you'll be in no doubt when reaching the summits as both are well indicated - a trig point on Beinn Spionnaidh and a well defined cairn on Cranstackie both perched above significant drops.
Show map
Route description
1. Getting to Carbreck
Farm buildings at Rhigolter
Around 12km south of Durness and approximately halfway between Rhiconich and Durness, a house (marked Carbreck on the OS map) sits in open moorland on the A838 and looks directly over Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh. Opposite the house, a private track heads down to the River Dionard.
In the past here didn't seem to be any objection to parking in front of the shed just north of the house, but there is now a parking area for a few cars near the top of the track.
2. Beinn Spionnaidh
Beinn Spionnaidh's summit trig point
From Carbreck, head down the track towards Rhigolter and cross the River Dionard via a bridge 
. Further on, pass the buildings at Rhigolter 
then a house and outbuildings to reach a gate. Through the gate, the track becomes rougher as it continues for another 500m or so to its end by another smaller shed 
.
Now on open hillside, head uphill over ferns and grass tussocks aiming south-east following the northern bank of the Allt Chalbhach Coire. Once into Calbhach Coire, cross the burn onto its southern side. The ground steepens as a clamber up grassy ground is made while aiming for the wet, grassy bealach 
above.
From the bealach climb initially north-east, then north-north-east on pleasant grassy ground.
Beinn Spionnaidh's boulderfield is reached at around c700m 
, from where continue with care over this to reach the south-western end of the bouldery summit plateau.
Beinn Spionnaidh's summit is now around 500m away in a north-east direction 
. The summit indicator consists of a trig point encircled by a stone shelter overlooking drops to the north.
3. Cranstackie
Path up Cranstackie from the bealach
Retrace your steps along Beinn Spionnaidh's quartzite bouldery crest and descend down its south-western shoulder to return to the bealach above Calbhach Coire.
Cross the soggy bealach, then pick a faint path heading up Cranstackie's north-eastern shoulder. This grass-covered shoulder narrows, then broadens higher up. A bit further up 
, grass is replaced by more boulderfield and the path disappears for the final pull up to Cranstackie's summit 
.
Cranstackie's top is marked with a cairn perched above a short precipitous drop to the north-west. Stunning views in all directions !
4. Return
Returning along Cranstackie, Beinn Spionnaidh ahead
Return to the bealach above Calbhach Coire and retrace your route back to Carbreck.
Route profile »
Maps and GPX downloads »
|
Download GPX of route |
The map images above link to items on Amazon. A small commission is earned on any map purchased which helps fund the operating costs of this website.
Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh from Loch Eriboll | |
|
Starting from near the southern end of Loch Eriboll, this largely pathless route strikes over grass, through forestry and up the side of the lovely Allt Leacach to reach the bouldery summits of Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnaidh. Peaks : 2 Corbetts
Ascent : 1025m (3360ft) Distance : 11km (7m) Time : 4:30hr |
Foinaven and Arkle from Loch Stack | |
|
From the western end of Loch Stack, a fine estate track heads into the hidden wilderness of Reay Forest below Foinaven and Arkle. Rough and steep ground is then tackled to gain narrow crests of these complex and superb mountains. Peaks : 2 Corbetts
Ascent : 2175m (7140ft) Distance : 31km (19m) Time : 11:30hr |
Reay Forest Corbetts from Lone | |
|
Heading in from the roadside at the southern end of Loch Stack, this spectacular circular route takes in the 3 Corbett summits of Meall Horn, Foinaven and Arkle. A fine track leads into the remote area, thereafter paths are few, terrain is rough, mountain crests are many and navigation can be challenging. Peaks : 3 Corbetts
Ascent : 2550m (8370ft) Distance : 31km (19m) Time : 12hr |
Ben Hope from Strath More | |
|
The most direct route up Ben Hope begins from near Dun Dornaigil broch in Strath More and follows a path tracing the crest of the southern shoulder of this fine mountain. Alternatives include a detour to Dun Dornaigil broch or a rock-scramble up Ben Hope's north ridge. Peaks : 1 Munro
Ascent : 915m (3000ft) Distance : 7km (4m) Time : 3:10hr |
