Luinne Beinn and Meall Buidhe from Inverie
Hillwalking route in Knoydart from Inverie up Luinne Beinn and Meall Buidhe
From Inverie, fine estate tracks lead to a circular route on the crests and ridges of Meall Buidhe and Luinne Bheinn in a remote corner of Knoydart. The nearby Corbett of Beinn Bhuidhe can be tagged in as a detour.
Route outline
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Corbetts | ||||
Ascent | 1540m (5050ft) | |||
Distance | 27km (17m) | |||
Time | 9:20hr | |||
Start/finish | Inverie Grid Ref : NG764001 | |||
Terrain |
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Nav |
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Effort |
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Scenery |
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A fine way to get to know the peninsula of Knoydart is to be based in Inverie for a few days. From this small vibrant village, fine estate tracks lead to a remote eastern corner of Knoydart and a circular route on the rugged crests and ridges of the Munros of Meall Buidhe and Luinne Bheinn. The nearby Corbett of Beinn Bhuidhe can be tagged in as a detour.
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Route description
1. Getting to Inverie
Approaching Inverie on the Western Isles ferry
North-west of Fort William, the mainland peninsula of Knoydart overlooks the Sound of Sleat towards Skye. No roads reach this rugged land, therefore access is either via one of the long paths from Kinlochhourn or Glendessary to the east or via the passenger ferry sailing from Mallaig (see Western Isles Cruises).
There is a thriving community in Knoydart, with most of the activity based in Inverie. From camping to bunkhouse and guest house, there are various places to stay, there's a shop, café and post office along with the Old Forge Inn - Britain's remotest pub !
More information on places to stay and eat can be found on the VisitKnoydart website.
2. Luinne Bheinn
Luinne Bheinn from Loch an Dubh-Lochain
From the pier at Inverie, head south-east down the main street, pass the pub, houses, café and converted church to a right-of-way sign pointing to Barisdale.
The track pulls away from the coastline , travels around the Knoydart Foundation and begins to climb through woodland and forestry. Exiting the woodland through a gate, the track drops slightly and turns around and below a mound with a monument .
Over the next 7km, the track travels up Gleann an Dubh-Lochain, passing Loch an Dubh-Lochain and climbs up to the saddle of Mam Barrisdale.
Approaching the highest point on the pass , look to the right (east) and you should see a vague path heading uphill. Follow this as it climbs a few metres then meets with an intermittent line of old iron fenceposts crossing soggy ground.
Follow a damp path aside the fence posts for a distance of around 500m, then turn east and aim directly up the grass covered slopes above. Climbing around 100m, the level ground to the south of Bachd Mhic an Tosaich is gained, across which a path travels.
Approaching Luinne Bheinn's summit, Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe ahead
Approaching Luinne Bheinn's summit, Sgurr a' Choire-bheithe ahead
3. Meall Buidhe
On Meall Buidhe's eastern top, looking back to Luinne Bheinn
Leave Luinne Bheinn's summit behind and continue along its crest following a worn path. Over, or perhaps around its subsidiary eastern top, drop down following the path to a fairly flat grass-covered area at around c850m .
The path aims towards Mam Unndalain, so instead, turn south-west away from the path and desend on wet, grass-covered and occasionally steep ground to pick up some old iron fence posts at the next col, Bealach a' Choire Odhair .
A path forms which continues along the wide undulating ridgeline ahead, by-passing the minor summits of Meall Coire na Gaoithe'n Ear on its eastern side and Druim Leac a'Shith on its western side. Beyond these tops, the path drops to another col, Bealach Ile Coire , around where some interesting rock strata can be found.
Meall Buidhe's summit from the east
Meall Buidhe's summit from the east
4. Return
Returning along Meall Buidhe's crest
The return along Meall Buidhe's western shoulder towards Inverie gives a wonderful ahead, though for the easiest terrain, at some point a drop into Gleann Meadail will need to be made to avoid boggy terrain.
From Meall Buidhe's summit, hike westwards following a very obvious path along the hill's crest. While losing around 200m, the path drops to a bealach, beyond which a grassy rise leads to the minor summit on An t-Uiriollach .
Returning to the track back to Inverie
Returning to the track back to Inverie
5. Detour to Beinn Bhuidhe
Looking back to Meall Buidhe from bridge over the River Inverie
Beinn Bhuidhe is a long-ridged Corbett hill on the opposite side of Glenann Meadail from Meall Buidhe. Bagging this hill's summit could be made as a detour from Meall Buidhe which adds in around 450m of ascent, or, as described below, done on its own as a there-and-back hike from Inverie.
From Inverie, follow the route above to the monument , then turn down the track to cross the Inverie River and head eastwards towards Gleann Meadail, passing Druim Bothy. After crossing the Allt Gleann Meadail , keep on the track as it traces the northern bank of the burn through the glen for around 2km.
At a height of around 250m , cross the cross the Allt Gleann Meadail onto its southern bank at a suitable point (may be difficult or even impossible in spate) and begin to strike uphill heading southwards. Faint paths are found as a burn with some interesting gorges is followed up steep slopes to the Mam Uchd pass between Beinn Bhuidhe and Meall Bhasiter.
Beinn Bhuidhe's summit trig in mist (better weather next time !)
Beinn Bhuidhe's summit trig in mist (better weather next time !)
Route profile »
Maps and GPX downloads »
Download GPX of Luinne Bheinn and Meall Buidhe circuit | |
Download GPX of Beinn Bhuidhe detour | |
Open route in OS Maps |
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Weather forecasts »
Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
Seasonal | SAIS - Lochaber Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Ladhar Bheinn and neighbours from Inverie | |
A straightforward route beginning on an estate track up Gleann na Guiserein, then following a grass-covered shoulder leads to Ladhar Bheinn's summit. Detours extend the route to the Corbett peaks of Beinn na Caillich or Sgurr Coire Choinnichean. Peaks : 1 Munro, 2 Corbetts
Ascent : 1775m (5820ft) Distance : 22km (14m) Time : 8:25hr |
Knoydart's Munros from Barisdale | |
The finest way to approach Ladhar Bheinn begins with the beautiful long walk along the southern shore of Loch Hourn to reach remote Barisdale, thereafter some stunning scenery can be found while hiking over ridges and crests of Knoydart's Munros. Peaks : 3 Munros, option of 1 Corbett and 1 Graham
Ascent : 2895m (9500ft) Distance : 45km (28m) Time : 16hr |
Ben Aden from Loch Cuaich | |
The old road used for the construction of the Loch Cuaich dams eases the effort needed to get to Ben Aden in the remote and wild Rough Bounds of Knoydart. Route from Sourlies is also outlined. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 1340m (4400ft) Distance : 25km (16m) Time : 8:30hr |
Sgurr nan Eugallt from Coireshubh | |
A straighforward hike up a soggy stalker's path leads onto Sgurr nan Eugallt's north-east ridge, from where a line of old iron fence-posts is followed onto the mountain's summit. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 800m (2620ft) Distance : 8km (5m) Time : 3:20hr |
Beinn Sgritheall and neighbours | |
A direct, steep route up Beinn Sgritheall begins from Arnisdale on the shores or Loch Hourn and can be extended to hike over other nearby hills. An alternative longer and less demanding approach begins from Gleann Beag to the north. Peaks : 1 Munro, option of 2 Corbetts and 1 Graham
Ascent : 1100m (3610ft) Distance : 7km (4m) Time : 3:30hr |