Slioch

Slioch, 981m

Date: 5/07/84

Tops and Munros

Companions: alone

Sgurr an Thuill Bhain (T) 934m
Slioch (M) 981m

Distance: 21km

Climbing: 1200m

Time: 8 hours

Weather: very hot sunny day

Munro Tally: M56, T89-90

A superb day, following climbing Ben Alligin and Beinn Eighe in the previous week, to complete a Torridonian tryptych! Liathach had to wait for another 13 years!

I took the bus from Gairloch down to Kinlochewe, and set off on a beautiful morning towards the hill. A pleasant 3 mile walk along the north bank of the Kinlochewe River brings you to the head of Loch Maree, and the foot of Gleann Bianasdaill. Here a good path strikes up the hill beside the burn into the narrow defile of Glen Bianasdaill. After a couple of miles, the path sarts to climb up the left side of the valley, and then it is time to strike steeply up to the left into the great armchair-shaped corrie, Coire na Sleagach. I had decided to circle the corrie anticlockwise, so turned up the broad shoulder to reach the first top Sgurr an Tuill Bhain, 4 hours after leaving Kinlochewe. here the views opened up to the Fisherfield wilderness to the north across Lochan Fada. From here, an easy ridge led up to the main summit of Slioch, but first I made a short detour to a prominent rock pinnacle out to the north, with good views onto Slioch's dramatic western cliffs.

Near the summit, a herd of deer were grazing, and bounded away as I approached. After lingering a while near the summit, it was time to descend, south eastward towards Sgurr Dubh, then into the corrie. Agood path descends form between Sgurr Dubh and Meall Each back to the main path in Glen Bianasdaill. The hot afternoon sun, and the lack of other walkers on the hill, meant a refreshing dip was possible in one of the deep pools near the path!

From the lochside, an hour's pleasant walk back to kinlochewe, weher my lift was waiting for me at 5pm.

Slioch from Loch Maree

Slioch from Loch Maree

The classic calendar view of Slioch's castle-like summit above Loch Maree. The ascent route is from behind as seen in this photo.

View north from Slioch

Looking north from Sgurr an Tuill Bhain, across Lochan Fada to Beinn Tarsuinn and Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, some of the most remote Munros.

Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair

Slioch summit

Slioch summit

Behind the dramatic western ramparts of Slioch lie this green and rounded corrie.

To see an OS 1:50000 map of this mountain, click here

To see a road map of the area around this mountain, click here

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Comments or questions? david@dbethune.com

Date: 5/07/84	Tops and Munros
Companions: alone	Sgurr an Thuill Bhain (T) 934m Slioch (M) 981m
Distance: 21km
Climbing: 1200m
Time: 8 hours
Weather: very hot sunny day
Munro Tally: M56, T89-90
A superb day, following climbing Ben Alligin and Beinn Eighe in the previous week, to complete a Torridonian tryptych! Liathach had to wait for another 13 years! I took the bus from Gairloch down to Kinlochewe, and set off on a beautiful morning towards the hill. A pleasant 3 mile walk along the north bank of the Kinlochewe River brings you to the head of Loch Maree, and the foot of Gleann Bianasdaill. Here a good path strikes up the hill beside the burn into the narrow defile of Glen Bianasdaill. After a couple of miles, the path sarts to climb up the left side of the valley, and then it is time to strike steeply up to the left into the great armchair-shaped corrie, Coire na Sleagach. I had decided to circle the corrie anticlockwise, so turned up the broad shoulder to reach the first top Sgurr an Tuill Bhain, 4 hours after leaving Kinlochewe. here the views opened up to the Fisherfield wilderness to the north across Lochan Fada. From here, an easy ridge led up to the main summit of Slioch, but first I made a short detour to a prominent rock pinnacle out to the north, with good views onto Slioch's dramatic western cliffs. Near the summit, a herd of deer were grazing, and bounded away as I approached. After lingering a while near the summit, it was time to descend, south eastward towards Sgurr Dubh, then into the corrie. Agood path descends form between Sgurr Dubh and Meall Each back to the main path in Glen Bianasdaill. The hot afternoon sun, and the lack of other walkers on the hill, meant a refreshing dip was possible in one of the deep pools near the path! From the lochside, an hour's pleasant walk back to kinlochewe, weher my lift was waiting for me at 5pm.