3,704 ft · Northwest Highlands, Scotland
An Riabhachan
An Riabhachan is a 3,704 ft peak in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland. The standard route is the East Ridge via Bealach Toll an Lochain: 12 mi, 3,440 ft of gain, Class 2.
An Riabhachan at a glance
- Elevation3,704 ft1,128 m
- RouteEast Ridge via Bealach Toll an LochainClass 2
- Distance12 mi3,440 ft gain
- Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
- SeasonMay – Sep
- RangeNorthwest HighlandsScotland
Climbing the East Ridge via Bealach Toll an Lochain
From Cannich on the A831, follow the single-track road up Glen Cannich to the dam at its head. Start from the Loch Mullardoch dam car park and follow the lochside track and path west past the hydro workings, then climb rough, pathless slopes to the Bealach Toll an Lochain. A Class 2 ridge climbs west onto the long, grassy summit crest, with easy walking to the cairn. Usually combined with Sgurr na Lapaich, An Socach and Carn nan Gobhar on the Mullardoch circuit. The seasonal loch ferry offers a shorter approach. Burns are unbridged, the ground is boggy and midges swarm near the loch.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (35–55 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- Remote location
- Stream crossing
- Boggy terrain
- Insects
- Low visibility
Quests with An Riabhachan
MunrosPeaks near An Riabhachan
Frequently asked questions
How tall is An Riabhachan?
An Riabhachan is 3,704 feet (1,128 m) tall. It is in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland.
How does An Riabhachan rank among the Munros?
At 3,704 feet, An Riabhachan is the 30th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.
How hard is it to hike An Riabhachan?
The East Ridge via Bealach Toll an Lochain is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 12 miles with 3,440 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike An Riabhachan?
Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the East Ridge via Bealach Toll an Lochain, covering 12 miles with 3,440 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Can a beginner hike An Riabhachan?
The East Ridge via Bealach Toll an Lochain needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 12 miles with 3,440 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
When is the best time to hike An Riabhachan?
The usual hiking window is May to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb An Riabhachan with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list