An Teallach - Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill

An Teallach - Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill

The summit and the range

Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill is An Teallach's highest summit, above Dundonnell in Wester Ross. The Database of British and Irish Hills records 1,062.6 m, 3,486 ft and 757 m prominence. The highest rocks are 6 m south of the trig point. An Teallach is the mountain group: its other Munro is Sgurr Fiona, 1,058.7 m. The name does not identify an additional 1,064 m neighbouring Munro. DoBIH v18.6

An Teallach's rock is predominantly Torridonian sandstone, with a landscape shaped by glaciation. Quartzite also occurs within the wider massif. The former granite, magmatic-rock and volcanic-origin account was incorrect. British Geological Survey · Scottish Geology Trust

Choose the objective before setting out

The following are different mountain days. Reaching either or both Munros does not require traversing the Corrag Bhuidhe pinnacles.

• Bidein alone from Dundonnell: return by the northern approach. This is still a strenuous mountain walk.
• Both Munros from Dundonnell: an out-and-back can avoid the pinnacles altogether. Climb Torridon gives approximately 6–8 hours for its two-Munro option, rather than a guaranteed time for every party. Local guide's route options
• Dundonnell circuit: Walkhighlands publishes 20 km and 9–10 hours for its circuit over the two Munros and Sàil Liath, finishing via Corrie Hallie and the A832 road return to Dundonnell. Those totals include that return, not just the ridge. Read its complete route and warnings before choosing the crest or bypass line. Full circuit
• Corrie Hallie technical traverse: an approach over Sàil Liath tackles the scrambling before the two Munros. The BMC's guide favours this direction to ascend the difficult buttress rather than downclimb it. A finish at Dundonnell requires planned onward transport or a road return; no complete total is assigned to this variant here. BMC scrambling guide
• Toll an Lochain: the published 10 km, 4–5 hour walk starts at NH112858 near the Badrallach turning, reaches the corrie loch and returns the same way. It does not reach either Munro. Expect rough, boggy and sometimes pathless ground; a tributary crossing may be impassable in spate. Do not use the old loch-to-summit shortcut claim. Corrie walk

These notes are not turn-by-turn navigation. The former vague corrie exploration and improvised circular-return suggestions have been withdrawn.

Ridge hazards and winter

The direct full ridge is Grade 3 scrambling in summer, with serious exposure. Corrag Bhuidhe's direct buttress descent is rock climbing terrain. Climbers need suitable technical judgement, equipment and competence; a rope is only useful with the skills to use it. BMC · Circuit warnings

Bypass paths do not make a full traverse an easy walk. Local guides describe eroded, slippery and exposed sections, with misleading branches and dead ends. Choose a complete line in advance; do not improvise a descent into a corrie. Climb Torridon

Check mountain weather, daylight and relevant avalanche information. Snow and ice can transform both walking and scrambling routes. Carry a map and compass and know how to use them, plus appropriate clothing, food, water, a headtorch and emergency equipment. Leave your route with someone. In an emergency call 999 or 112, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue. Scottish Mountain Rescue

Do not treat an automatically generated line to a summit pin as a safe route. Mountaineering Scotland has specifically warned about an An Teallach routing line leading over a cliff. Navigation warning

Access and facilities

The published Dundonnell start is the A832 lay-by at NH093879, near the hotel. Corrie Hallie is a different start/finish, so parking and return arrangements must match the chosen itinerary. Dundonnell route

The operator's June 2026 timetable lists Westerbus 700 via Dundonnell on Mondays and Fridays and 707 on Thursdays. Times and directions do not provide a convenient same-day full mountain outing from Inverness or Ullapool; plan the complete journey and reconfirm services. Current operator information · Published timetable

The Dundonnell Hotel advertises accommodation, dining and paid non-resident parking. Confirm opening and parking arrangements directly; these are private facilities, not a public mountain visitor centre. Arrange supplies before starting. Hotel information

Landscape and conservation

The sandstone skyline, adjacent corries and Fisherfield mountains are the main scenic attractions. Clear conditions also allow views towards the Summer Isles. BMC

An Teallach is commonly translated as the forge. Its recent history includes the Mountaineering Scotland and Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland path-restoration project, completed in March 2026. Use the repaired path and avoid damaging recovering ground. This work improves the approach without changing the technical character of the ridge. Path restoration and name

Source and review scope

Desk review: 15 October 2026. Summit data are from DoBIH v18.6 (11 September 2026 release), hill 1003. The record's source revision remains 9 July 2022. This review is not a resurvey, route-track validation or current-conditions report. High-precision grid and coordinate-derived grid values are retained separately. Linked tracks and photo provenance are outside this review.