Home » Routes » Europe » Scotland » Ullapool and Assynt » Walk up Glas Bheinn

Walk up Glas Bheinn

By Ian Tupman   

on October 16, 2019    4.5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Scotland, Ullapool and Assynt

Walk up Glas Bheinn

Route Essentials

Route Summary

An out-and-return to the summit of Glas Bheinn, one of Assynt’s several Corbetts

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

6.32 km

Ascent

552 m

Time

2-3 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Parking area on the A894 at grid reference NC233274

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

The initial ascent is steep and runs over grass and loose rock. Care is required on the descent in particular, especially in wet or icy conditions.

Weather Forecast:

MWIS Northwest Highlands

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up Glas Bheinn Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Glas Bheinn

At 776m Glas Bheinn achieves Corbett status and proudly faces its better known neighbour Quinag to the west.

There are two routes up Glas Bheinn. The first is a long and arduous slog from Inchnadamph at the head of Loch Assynt. The second is this one; a short and steep initial ascent followed by a more gentle approach to the summit along the rim of Choire Dheirg.

Walk up Glas Bheinn Route Description

From the parking area take the rough path signposted ‘Public Path To Glen Oykel’. After approximately 150m turn right on the path which now runs parallel to the west face of Glas Bheinn.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
Parking area and start/finish of the walk

In a further 560m reach a cairn on the left and take the faint path. Head south-east aiming for the grassy gulley which rises between two rock ribs.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
From the cairn take the path to the base of the grassy gulley

Climb the steep slope to reach the cairn on the broad spur and turn half right following the small cairns over broken rocks.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
A good spot for a rest after the steep ascent

The gradient eases as a rocky plateau is reached. Walk to the cluster of pink quartzite boulders where a rest can be taken while enjoying the views of the Quinag massif to the west.

Continue in a south easterly direction over gently rising but broken ground and pick up the path which ascends and falls over several small rises.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
Continue over several gentle rises along the corrie rim

The path passes close to the rim of Choire Dheirg and gives superb views of the headwall of the corrie and its loch.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
Choire Dheirg and its loch

Walk to the second of two cairns on the corrie rim and then strike south-east and make a straight line over relatively easy ground to the summit of Glas Bheinn with its large cairn and shelter.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
Glas Bheinn summit with Suilven to the right

In good weather the views in all directions are superb. To the south-east the quartz-covered Munros of Ben More Assynt and Conival dominate the skyline.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
Ben More Assynt (left) and Conival (right)

Around to the south-west Canisp and Suilven are prominent and lead the eye further west to the coast and then round to the impressive bulk of Quinag with its three Corbetts.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
The Quinag massif

To the north-west Arkle, Foinaven and Ben Hope rise above the numerous lochs and lochans  which characterize the landscape of Sutherland.

For the descent a more direct route can be taken to cut the corner back to the path on the corrie rim. Reverse the outgoing route but take care descending the gulley.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
The grassy gulley leading down to the approach path and the A894 beyond

Once back at the start and if time allows, make the short journey north on the A894 and visit The Weeping Widow waterfall. After two sharp bends the road descends to a left hand bend. Park off the road to the right and walk the 200m up the narrow gorge to the base of the waterfall.

Walk up Glas Bheinn
The Weeping Widow

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

An out-and-return to the summit of Glas Bheinn, one of Assynt’s several Corbetts

This walk includes the Corbett of Glas Bheinn

Route Start Location: Parking area on the A894 at grid reference NC233274

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
6.32 km 552 m 2-3 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

The nearest public toilets and refreshments are at Kylesku but they are closed November to February. Lochinver (approximately 20 kms away) has shops, cafes, toilets and a fuel station.

Hazards

The initial ascent is steep and runs over grass and loose rock. Care is required on the descent in particular, especially in wet or icy conditions.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : n/a

There is parking space for 2-3 cars at the start of the walk

Public Transport:

There is no train service in the region and buses are few and far between. Check with https://www.travelinescotland.com .

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

MWIS Northwest Highlands

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

Please rate this

Ian Tupman

Ian lives In Ardrossan and being only a fifty five minutes ferry crossing to Brodick, the Isle of Arran is his ‘back yard’. He knows the mountains of the north of the island well and has walked every permutation of routes over the various summits. He is now spending more time further north exploring the Cairngorms, the far north-west and the mountains of the west of Scotland.

More Posts by Ian Tupman

Leave a Reply