Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor up Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith (Loch Torridon to Loch Maree): route map, distance and time
1,055 m · Loch Torridon to Loch Maree
Spidean a' Choire Leith is the 1055m highest top of Liathach in Torridon, a Munro on a hard ridge traverse with exposed sandstone pinnacles.
A steep path climbs into the corrie and up to the ridge. You follow the rocky crest west to the summit.
Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor at a glance
| Distance | 3.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,013 m |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Glen Torridon roadside parking east of Glen Cottage |
| Start grid reference | NG 930 564 |
| Summit grid reference | NG 929 579 |
Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor 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
How long Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 3h 50m |
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 07:25, sunset 16:45. Start by 12:35 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:27, sunset 16:43. Start by 12:33 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith summit weather for this route
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Poor Today Wednesday 28 October
Slight rain, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 42 mph gusting 53 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:25, sunset 16:45.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Light drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 49 mph, 51% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:27, sunset 16:43.
Best day of the next seven for Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor: Monday 2 November, with summit gusts around 26 mph and a 2% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Northwest Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Torridon avalanche report.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 53 mph.
- 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 Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith
Spidean a' Choire Leith is the 1055m highest top of Liathach in Torridon, a Munro on a hard ridge traverse with exposed sandstone pinnacles. More about Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Stob a' Choire Liath Mhor (984 m), 0.4 km north-east
- Am Fasarinen (929 m), 0.8 km south-west
- Stuc a Choire Dhuibh Bhig (915 m), 1.3 km east
- Stuc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig (915 m), 1.3 km east
- Meall Dearg (955 m), 1.5 km west
- Meall Dearg (955 m), 1.5 km west
Challenges that include Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NG 930 564, the summit at NG 929 579), 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.
Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor: questions and answers
How far is Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor?
Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor is 3.6 km one way to the summit of Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith, with 1,013 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.2 km.
How long does Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith and 3h 10m 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 3h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor?
Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor starts from Glen Torridon roadside parking east of Glen Cottage. The grid reference is NG 930 564.
Is Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first.
What time should I start Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor today?
By 12:35 at the latest. Sunset on Liathach - Spidean a' Choire Leith today is 16:45, Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor takes about 3h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Glen Torridon via Coire Liath Mhor?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).