Hills: Sgurr na Coinnich and Beinn na Caillich
Date: Friday 3rd May 2013
Company: Just myself
Distance: 7.6km, Ascent: 805m
Time: 4Hrs

I have put off ascending Sgurr na Coinnich and Beinn na Caillich on several occasions as I have been waiting for a nice day to do them. Today was not a nice day however I decided to ascend them regardless. If I wait for a nice day on Skye, I could be waiting a long time.

I parked at Bealach Udal on the road to the Kylerhea ferry.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

The initial section of walk was very wet underfoot given all the recent rain. Hard to believe that just a few weeks ago there were numerous wild fires owing to the ground being so dry.

Lower slopes of Sgurr na Coinnich from Bealach Udal:


I was in no hurry to ascend the hills today as I had plenty time and a sore foot. It was nice to walk at a slower pace than normal.

Looking back to Bealach Udal:


During the ascent, I could see the Isle of Eigg but couldn’t see An Sgurr due to low cloud.

Cloud-capped Isle of Eigg (zoom):


On reaching circa 500m, I entered the mist. Disappointing to do these fine hills in the mist and get only limited views.

Into the mist:


On reaching 700m, I skirted round the end of the small lochan and made my way up the final slopes of Sgurr na Coinnich.

Lochan at 700m:


I avoided most of the rocks in the next photo by ascending to the left.

Final ascent of Sgurr na Coinnich:


Approaching the summit of Sgurr na Coinnich:


On reaching the trig point, I also visited several nearby rocks at least one of which is higher than the trig point.

Sgurr na Coinnich trig point and shelter:


I referred to my GPS a couple of times to get from Sgurr na Coinnich to Beinn na Caillich as I didn’t have a paper map with me today. Bad boy!

As I approached Bealach Mulachag, in the mist, the ascent of Beinn na Caillich looked really steep.

Looking across to Beinn na Caillich:


I ascended the steep section via a path to the left (North).

Looking down to Bealach Mulachag during steep ascent of Beinn na Caillich:


Once beyond the steep section, it was an easy plod to the summit.

Approaching the large summit cairn of Beinn na Caillich:


Really disappointing not to get any views from the summit. I’m guessing, given there are several cairns up there, that there are several good viewpoints.

Summit cairn of Beinn na Caillich:


During the descent of Beinn na Caillich, the cloud lifted sufficiently to provide some views down to Kyleakin and the Skye bridge and to get a view of both Sgurr na Coinnich and Beinn na Caillich.

Kyleakin and the Skye Bridge (zoom):


View below the cloud towards Kyleakin and the Skye Bridge (zoom):


Sgurr na Coinnich from Bealach Mulachag:


View from Bealach Mulachag:


From the bealach, I re-ascended to the summit of Sgurr na Coinnich before following the same route back to the car. It was snowing for much of the walk out from Sgurr na Coinnich to the car.

Glenelg bay (zoom):


Kyle of Lochalsh (zoom):


Looking back to Beinn na Caillich from Sgurr na Coinnich:


A good wee walk despite the low cloud and lack of views.