Beinn Sgritheall – Up from Arnisdale by the Bealach Arnasdail

The walk

The usual way up Beinn Sgritheall starts from the road at the west end of Arnisdale, almost at sea level. A path climbs steeply north above the Allt a' Mhuilinn to the Bealach Arnasdail, then up a steep, stony slope to the East Top, and west along the ridge to the summit. By our map it is about 8 km (5 miles) there and back, with about 1,130 metres of climb. Allow about 5 to 6 hours, more with stops, in poor weather or under snow. No public body publishes a route, a distance or a time for it. Some walkers make a round of it, down the west ridge and a steep wood to the road, then about 3 km back along the road. This walk comes back the way it went.

Arnisdale is at the end of a long single-track road. From the A87 at Shiel Bridge it climbs over the Mam Ratagan to Glenelg and runs on by the coast to Arnisdale. On the pass the bends sharpen and the gradient steepens, the Glenelg ferry warns: a serious challenge for heavy vehicles. One guide gives limited parking on the shore side of the road at the start of the hill path, and more at a car park near the end of the public road. By our map that car park is at Corran, about 1.7 km further east along the road, with toilets beside it. There are none at the start.

Before you set off, check the mountain forecast: the Mountain Weather Information Service's Northwest Highlands forecast covers the hills north from Knoydart. Glenelg Mountain Rescue, whose area takes in Arnisdale, asks walkers to carry an OS map and compass, know how to use them, and use a GPS only as a back-up. Do not rely on a mobile phone, the team warns: in many parts of the Glenelg area reception is poor or there is none. Leave a route card where you are staying or in the car, and give yourself ample time to get back before dark.

The path leaves the road at the west end of the village by a sign for the hill path, and crosses a small burn on a footbridge. It climbs between the houses and the burn through woodland, over grass and damp ground, crossing small streams at fords. Then it turns and climbs steeply beside a line of old fence posts, above the gorge of the Allt a' Mhuilinn. The path is muddy and narrow in places, rough but clear to follow.

About 700 metres out, by our map, the path crosses the Allt a' Mhuilinn, and about 1.7 km out, some 440 metres up, it crosses back. Both are fords with no bridge. After heavy rain the burn runs high: if it is too high to cross safely, turn back. One walker fell into an eroded channel on the way up to the bealach, so watch your feet.

At about 500 metres up the path splits, one guide says. The left fork heads straight up to the foot of the screes below the East Top. The right fork, a little longer, goes on to the Bealach Arnasdail and avoids most of them, and this walk takes it. The bealach is the col between Beinn Sgritheall and Beinn na h-Eaglaise, about 2.1 km out and about 580 metres up by our map.

From the bealach the path follows fence posts across the col, then twists and turns up the steep slope to the west. This is the hardest part of the climb. Walkers call it a very steep scree slope, with loose stones that slide underfoot, and by our map the steepest 100 metres of the walk is just below the East Top. Go slowly and keep your footing. The cairn on the East Top stands at 906 metres.

From the East Top the way goes west along the ridge. It drops about 70 metres by our map to a wide bealach, over a patch of loose, rough ground, then climbs a broad grassy slope. Higher up the ridge narrows for a short way above a significant drop, one guide warns, before grass returns for the last climb to the summit. On the north side the ridge falls away into Coire Mhin; on the south the hill drops almost 1,000 metres to Loch Hourn.

The summit, 974 metres, is a broken trig point among boulders, with Knoydart across Loch Hourn to the south. Beinn Sgritheall means the scree mountain, and the name fits.

On the summit, take a bearing for the way back before you leave. By our map the ridge path leaves the top heading east-south-east, then east to the East Top. A worn path also runs down the west ridge, away from Arnisdale, and one party coming down it missed their turn and had to retrace their steps. If the cloud comes down, the wind rises or anyone is tiring, turn back by the way you came.

Under snow Beinn Sgritheall is a winter mountain, with steep slopes above Arnisdale and a narrow ridge. There is no avalanche forecast for this hill, but that does not mean there is no risk under snow. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service's full winter forecasts for its six areas begin on 17 December 2026. Glenelg Mountain Rescue asks walkers to have the clothing, food and equipment the route and the weather need, and points them to winter skills and avalanche awareness courses.

The Heading for the Scottish Hills tables list Beinn Sgritheall with no stalking information given. They ask walkers to be prepared to follow reasonable local guidance. One walker in late October found stalking going on nearby.

The way down is the way you came, and on the steep slopes it is slow. Leave the summit east-south-east along the ridge to the East Top, then take the path down the steep, stony slope to the Bealach Arnasdail. Follow it down above the Allt a' Mhuilinn, over the two fords, to the road. The descent is hard on the knees, one walker found. In an emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for Police and Mountain Rescue, Mountaineering Scotland says. Give a six-figure grid reference and a named feature if you can. To be able to text 999 where a call will not connect, register first by texting the word register to 999.