Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain up Beinn Fhada (Highland): route map, distance and time
1,032 m · Highland
Beinn Fhada, also called Ben Attow, is a 1032m Munro in Kintail with a high plateau, climbed from Morvich by a stalkers' path.
A path follows the glen east and a stalkers' path zigzags up to the plateau. You cross open ground east to the summit.
Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain at a glance
| Distance | 8.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 836 m |
| Time up | 3h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Morvich (Kintail) |
| Start grid reference | NG 961 210 |
| Summit grid reference | NH 018 192 |
Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 50m | 6h 0m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:11. Start by 12:21 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:03, sunset 18:08. Start by 12:18 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Beinn Fhada summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 3°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 19 mph gusting 24 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:11.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 31 mph gusting 39 mph, 1% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:03, sunset 18:08.
Best day of the next seven for Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 24 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 34% (Marginal), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Beinn Fhada forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Beinn Fhada?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Northwest Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -7°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Beinn Fhada
Beinn Fhada, also called Ben Attow, is a 1032m Munro in Kintail with a high plateau, climbed from Morvich by a stalkers' path. More about Beinn Fhada, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Sgurr a' Dubh Doire (962 m), 1.8 km east
- Sgurr a Dubh Doire (962 m), 1.8 km east
- Meall an Fhuarain Mhoir (955 m), 1.9 km west
Challenges that include Beinn Fhada
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NG 961 210, the summit at NH 018 192), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain: questions and answers
How far is Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain?
Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain is 8.6 km one way to the summit of Beinn Fhada, with 836 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 17.2 km.
How long does Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain take?
About 3h 5m to the summit of Beinn Fhada and 4h 50m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 6h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain?
Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain starts from Morvich (Kintail). The grid reference is NG 961 210.
Is Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain today?
By 12:21 at the latest. Sunset on Beinn Fhada today is 18:11, Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain takes about 4h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Morvich via Gleann Choinneachain?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).