3,461 ft · Northwest Highlands, Scotland
Spidean a' Choire Lèith
Spidean a' Choire Lèith is a 3,461 ft peak in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland. The standard route is the Coire Liath Mhor: 4 mi, 3,540 ft of gain, Class 2.
Spidean a' Choire Lèith at a glance
- Elevation3,461 ft1,054 m
- RouteCoire Liath MhorClass 2
- Distance4 mi3,540 ft gain
- Time4 – 6 hrsModerate effort
- SeasonMay – Sep
- RangeNorthwest HighlandsScotland
Climbing the Coire Liath Mhor
From Torridon village, drive east on the A896 into Glen Torridon. Start from the Allt an Doire Ghairbh lay-by and climb the steep stepped path beside the burn into Coire Liath Mhòr, with mild scrambling to reach the ridge west of Stùc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig. Turn west over the tops of Stob a' Choire Liath Mhòr on slow quartzite boulders to the summit. Class 2 with brief hands-on sections. In mist, avoid the SSE ridge that ends at a precipitous prow. Wet quartzite is very slippery. Usually part of the full Liathach traverse with Mullach an Rathain across the Am Fasarinen pinnacles (Grade 2).
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (25–35 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
- Steep exposure
- Slippery terrain
- Low visibility
- Loose rock
Quests with Spidean a' Choire Lèith
MunrosPeaks near Spidean a' Choire Lèith
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Spidean a' Choire Lèith?
Spidean a' Choire Lèith is 3,461 feet (1,054 m) tall. It is in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland.
How does Spidean a' Choire Lèith rank among the Munros?
At 3,461 feet, Spidean a' Choire Lèith is the 75th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.
How hard is it to hike Spidean a' Choire Lèith?
The Coire Liath Mhor is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort moderate: 4 miles with 3,540 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Spidean a' Choire Lèith?
Most people take 4 – 6 hours round trip on the Coire Liath Mhor, covering 4 miles with 3,540 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Can a beginner hike Spidean a' Choire Lèith?
Usually, if you are fit. The Coire Liath Mhor is a common first summit for hikers ready for 4 – 6 hours on their feet. Bring layers, food and water, and check the weather before you start.
When is the best time to hike Spidean a' Choire Lèith?
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 Spidean a' Choire Lèith 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