NG8312 : South eastern ridge of Beinn Sgritheall
Strenuous, steep and rocky mountain circuit

Beinn Sgritheall

974m Elevation
500m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NG8312 : South eastern ridge of Beinn Sgritheall

Chris Wimbush Photo source

Overview

Beinn Sgritheall

Beinn Sgritheall is a 974 m Munro above Arnisdale and Loch Hourn. Its main summit is the cairn beside a stone shelter at NG8359112671. DoBIH records the trig point 5 m south as destroyed.

Arnisdale circuit

Use the provided car park, NG843105, and the signed hill path from the village’s western end. Climb through Bealach Arnasdail and over the east top to the main summit. The return follows the rocky west ridge to the lochan near NG816126, turns left down the steep woodland path through Coille Mhialairigh, then turns left along the coast road for about 3 km back to the same car park. Walkhighlands gives 10 km, 1095 m ascent and 4–6 hours, including that road section.

Expect very steep grass and scree, an airy upper ridge and a narrow, eroded descent. The west-ridge turn requires deliberate navigation, especially in mist. This is a strenuous mountain circuit; the road return does not make the descent easy. In clear weather the outlook takes in Loch Hourn, Knoydart and Skye.

Landscape and access

Regional geological research describes folded Morar Group metasediments and Glenelg gneisses around Arnisdale, including the major Beinn Sgritheall Synform. Rock types vary across this complex setting.

Do not park on village verges. Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and current advice about land management or stalking. No site-specific closure was established in the sources checked on 18 October 2026; this is not an assurance that access is unrestricted on your walking day. Check local signs. Current trailhead bus services and facility openings were not verified, so arrange transport and supplies in advance.

Sources checked: 18 October 2026.

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Beinn Sgritheall from Arnisdale, west-ridge circuit

Start and finish at the provided Arnisdale car park (NG843105). Take the signed hill path from the western part of the village, climbing via Bealach Arnasdail and the east top to the main summit. Descend the rocky west ridge to the lochan near NG816126, then turn left down the steep, narrow path through Coille Mhialairigh to the coast road. Turn left and follow the road for about 3 km back to Arnisdale and the car park. Walkhighlands gives 10 km, 1095 m ascent and 4–6 hours for this whole circuit, including the road return.

10 km Strenuous, steep and rocky mountain circuit
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Munro Simm High Hills of Britain

Elevation

974m

3,196 ft

Prominence

500m

Coordinates

57.1538, -5.5797

NG835126

OS Map

33

Explorer: 413S

At the Summit

Cairn by a stone shelter at NG8359112671. The primary record says the trig point 5 m south is destroyed.

Terrain & Geology

Very steep grass and scree rocky summit ridges boggy lower ground an eroded woodland descent and a road return.

The Arnisdale–Glenelg area contains strongly folded Morar Group metasedimentary rocks and older Glenelg gneisses. The Beinn Sgritheall Synform is a major structure described by BGS researchers; a blanket description of the mountain as granite is inappropriate. Individual outcrops vary.

Views & Scenery

Loch Hourn immediately below, Knoydart and the mountains of Skye in clear conditions.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Use the provided Arnisdale car park at NG843105 for the circuit. Walkhighlands specifically asks walkers not to park on the verges.

Public Transport

No current scheduled service to the Arnisdale trailhead was verified for this audit. Confirm transport and a return arrangement before setting out.

Nearby Facilities

Prepare supplies before arriving. Undiscovered Scotland describes a heritage centre and public toilets at nearby Corran, but current opening and availability were not verified.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Very steep grass and scree can be slippery or loose; the upper ridge has exposed sections.
  • The west-ridge descent needs careful navigation to the turn near the lochan; the steep woodland path is narrow and eroded.
  • Mist can obscure ridge junctions and the descent; this is not a waymarked low-level walk.
  • The circuit includes about 3 km of road walking back to Arnisdale.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Beinn Sgritheall?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Beinn Sgritheall through the maps

Are there other walkers around Beinn Sgritheall?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Beinn Sgritheall search or of course create your own walk for Beinn Sgritheall

Can I organise a walk to Beinn Sgritheall?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

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How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Beinn Sgritheall?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

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Location

Beinn Sgritheall location map

Grid reference: NG835126

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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