Liathach

Routes on Liathach

The Classic Liathach Traverse

Often described as one of Scotland’s finest mountain days, The Classic Liathach Traverse is an exhilarating ridge walk in the heart of the Torridon mountains. This iconic route is world-famous for its dramatic Torridonian sandstone terraces, technical scrambling, and breathtaking exposure.

• Distance: 11–12 kilometres
• Duration: Typically 7–9 hours
• Difficulty: Demanding / Grade 2 Scramble

Your Liathach guide will meet you at the roadside parking in Glen Torridon. From the glen floor, we follow a steep but well-maintained path that weaves through rocky outcrops, gaining elevation rapidly. As we reach the ridge crest, the views open up spectacularly: the jagged peaks of Beinn Eighe dominate the eastern horizon, while Beinn Alligin looms to the west above the shimmering waters of Loch Torridon.

The Journey Along the Ridge

Our traverse begins by heading west over the subsidiary top of Stùc a’ Choire Dhuibh Bhig. A mix of walking and easy scrambling leads us to the first Munro of the day, Spidean a’ Choire Leith. Standing at 1,055 metres, this is Liathach’s highest point—a stunning natural balcony and the gateway to the mountain’s most famous feature.

The Am Fasarinen Pinnacles

Next, the ridge narrows into the legendary Am Fasarinen Pinnacles. For many, this is the highlight of the day. You’ll experience thrilling Grade 2 scrambling with airy moves and magnificent drops on either side. Your Liathach guide will manage all the ropework, ensuring you stay safe while you enjoy one of the most remarkable ridgelines in the UK.

Note: For those who prefer a less technical day, a bypass path is available. However, please be aware this path is narrow, eroded, and remains highly exposed above steep cliffs.

Completing the Traverse

After the pinnacles, a worn track leads to the second Munro, Mullach an Rathain (1,023m). With the crest of Liathach behind us, we begin our descent. We head south down a steep slope of rocky steps and scree, winding through ancient sandstone terraces and occasional simple scrambles before returning to the base of the glen.

Bespoke Routes & Hidden Gems

While the classic traverse is our most popular option, we offer several fantastic alternatives for those looking to explore Liathach’s quieter corners:

• The Northern Route: Access the mountain from the north to include the summit of Meall Dearg—mainland Scotland’s most technical Munro Top. This route takes you across the formidable Northern Pinnacles to reach Mullach an Rathain.
• The South Ridge: A direct, scrambling ascent of Mullach an Rathain for a shorter but punchy day on the hill.

As local experts, we have extensive knowledge of every gully and buttress on the massif. If you have a specific goal or a bespoke route in mind, your Liathach guide will be happy to tailor the day to your experience level.

Liathach in Winter

In winter, Liathach transforms into a true alpine arena. The classic traverse becomes a serious mountaineering undertaking, requiring the use of axes and crampons. For climbers, the great northern corries hold legendary ice and mixed lines, such as:

• Twisting Gully (II)
• George (III, 4)
• Poacher’s Fall (V, 5)

Whether you are looking for a guided winter traverse or want to tackle a classic climb, our winter Liathach guides provide the expertise needed for a safe and unforgettable Highland adventure.

Liathach Facts

How do you pronounce Liathach?

Locally, Liathach is pronounced with a soft “g” instead of a “th”. Therefore, phonetically it would be “Lee-a-gac”. You may hear a few variations on the pronunciation. In fact, according to the extremely comprehensive book entitled, The Place Names of Loch Torridon, it is “one of the most problematic place-names around the loch”.

What does it mean?

Liathach means The Grey One. However, has only been spelled this way for a relatively short amount of time. The former spelling of this mountain was Liaghaich, and its meaning is unknown.

Where is Liathach Located?

It is located in the heart of The Torridon Mountains, in the North West Highlands of Scotland. The nearest villages are Torridon (approximately 3 miles) and Kinlochewe (approximately 8 miles). Many of the customers we guide on Liathach stay in either Kinlochewe, at the Kinlochewe Hotel or campsite, or in the larger village of Gairloch, which has an excellent range of accommodation. The nearest city is Inverness (approximately 60 miles away).

Can I get to Liathach on public transport?

It is not simple to get to Liathach without a car. The nearest airport is Inverness (approximately 60 miles away). The nearest train station is Achnasheen (approximately 20 miles away). There is a train between Inverness and Achnasheen and then there is a bus from Achnasheen to Kinlochewe, but the service is infrequent, currently once a day. From Kinlochewe there is no public transport, however, there is a local taxi service. Due to the infrequency of the train and bus, careful planning would be needed.

How long does The Classic Liathach Traverse take to complete?

We generally find that when we are guiding Liathach most customers take between 7-9 hours to complete the traverse. This, of course, varies depending on customer speed, fitness and weather conditions.

How many Munros are on Liathach?

There are two Munros on Liathach, Spidean a’ Choire Leith (1055m) and Mullach an Rathain (1023m).

How many Munro Tops are there?

There are four Munro Tops on Liathach (please note, these are different from Munros). They are Stuc a’Choire Dhuibh Bhig, Stob a’Choire Liath Mhor, Am Fasarinen and Meall Dearg.

How high is it?

The highest point is the summit of Spidean a’ Choire Leith at 1055m.

How long is it?

According to our mapping app, Outdoor Active, the total distance of our guided Classic Liathach Traverse route is 8.2km.

What is the total ascent?

According to our mapping app, Outdoor Active, the total amount of height gain on our guided Classic Liathach Traverse is 1238 metres.

Do you need a rope for Liathach?

Yes, your Liathach guide will be using a rope to keep you safe during the scrambling section. This will be used in conjunction with helmets and harnesses. Although, a minority of mountaineers who undertake the scramble independently may choose not to use a rope. Many people who complete the classic traverse, whether guided or independent, will use a rope for safety purposes.

What grade is Liathach?

Liathach is a grade two scramble. A grade two scramble is generally considered to be a medium level of difficulty of scrambling. Grade two scrambles have the following characteristics:

• Climbing movements, whereby the use of hands is required for short sections.
• Sustained scrambling, whereby hands are needed for balance for longer sections.
• Significant exposure.

How difficult is Liathach?

There is no simple answer to this question. As with all mountaineering, the difficulty is very subjective and everyone will find different mountains more or less challenging. However, to give you a general idea, Liathach would be considered one of the most challenging mountains in Scotland. This is due to a mixture of the technicality of scrambling and the overall physicality (length and total ascent) of the day. We are often asked how it compares to other scrambles and mountains. Some comparisons are below, however please do keep in mind that everyone is different with regards to what they find easy and challenging.

• The Aonach Eagach Ridge is a similar level of difficulty to Liathach overall. However, Liathach has a bypass path around much of the scrambling unlike the Aonach Eagach Ridge. Therefore, some of the difficulty can be skipped. It should be noted that the bypass itself is not straightforward and has a very reasonable degree of exposure.
• Crib Goch is often considered easier than Liathach. The difficulty of the scrambling on Crib Goch is a full grade lower.
• Striding Edge is considered substantially easier than Liathach. In fact, it would be a similar level of difficulty to the bypass path.
• The CMD Arete would be considered easier than Liathach. While the CMD Arete is a physically demanding day, the scrambling is a full grade lower.
• In comparison to the surrounding local mountains, Liathach can be considered one of the most challenging. It is harder than Beinn Alligin and Beinn Eighe, however An Teallach would be considered harder.
• The Cuillin Ridge – A full Cuillin Ridge traverse is certainly more challenging. However, for those familiar with the Cuillin Munros, Liathach would be considered a similar level of difficulty to Sgurr Dubh Mor.

Is there a bypass path around the scrambling section on Liathach?

Yes, there is a bypass path. However, it is worth being aware that the bypass path is exposed. It is slippery and eroded with large drops. We have customers who are understandably nervous of the scrambling on Liathach and ask if we can guide them along the bypass to reduce the difficulty. Whilst this is something we can certainly do, please keep in mind this is still an airy and awkward path. If you are nervous of scrambling but wish to complete the Liathach Traverse, just let us know. Our guides are very understanding and will explain the differences in the two approaches in detail, in order to help you decide on the best route for you.

How can I find out the answers to other questions I have?

Please, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you have at all. Whether you are looking to use us as a Liathach guide or you are planning on attempting the mountain independently. We are happy to do our best to answer any questions. We also update this page regularly with any questions we do get, in order to make this resource as comprehensive as possible.

Our Client Stories

We believe a successful day out is measured by smiles, new skills, and incredible views. We’re proud to share the feedback from clients who have achieved their goals and fallen in love with climbing and walking in this spectacular area.

Ratios and Pricing for Liathach

In order to provide the highest level of experience and safety we maintain low ratios for guided ascents. Below you can see the details. All our Liathach trips are privately guided, therefore you will not have to worry about the pace of others and will get a trip tailored to your individual needs.