The Coigach hills provide perhaps the single best short run in the entire Coigach / Assynt area. The running is easy on excellent ground (if at places exposed – not recommended on a windy day!), the views are magnificent in all directions, and the caffe in the Achiltibuie Piping School provides excellent post-run cakes!

Start from the small parking area just before the road dips down toward Culnacraig. Where the public road ends, take the small footpath behind the houses as it contours the hill, aiming to cross Allt nan Coisiche at the apex of the E to S bend below the water fall (NC 071 037; NB: there are no other suitable crossing points), then follow a steep faint path on its S side until reaching easier angled ground in the coirre.

From the coirre it is possible to either head directly for the edge of the W ridge of Garbh Choireachan (more hands on), or slightly to the N, aiming for the right (S) edge of the obvious erosion on the NW facing side of the ridge, where a faint path heads up onto the ridge proper.

Annat Bay

The high ridge is well defined and narrow. The drops are steep on both sides, but the S side in particular is at places vertigo inducing. However, no scrambling is required, and the more rocky crest beyond the 738m high point can be avoided by staying on a path running along its N side.

After reaching the summit of Ben More Coigach return back onto the, now broader, ridge and continue along it in E direction to where the Speicein Coinnich ridge begins, but instead of heading onto Speicen Coinnich, descend down the broad N facing coirre into the bealach below Sgurr an Fhidhleir (around NC 097 049), enjoying the dramatic views over the north facing cliffs. From here continue W for a bit to ascend up onto the Fhidhleir from the SW.

Loch Dearg & Loch Lurgainn

The Fiddler summit once again offers excellent views (because Beinn an Eoin and the Fiddler ridge are of similar heights, the view changes quite dramatically along the different points of this outing). Once you have enjoyed the views from the summit, descend initially SW, then contour into the bealach that separates the Fiddler from Beinn nan Caorach; from here you get an excellent view of the Fiddler’s north cliffs.

Lochan Tuath and Sgurr an Fhidhleir

Next head up near the N cliffs up onto the 648m summit for more views and then SW onto the main summit of Beinn an Caorach. From here the easiest descent is to return back to the bealach below the Fiddler, then contour along the 600m line to pickup the well trodden walkers’ path that descends along the Fiddler’s SW ridge; take this back to the road.

14km / 1100m ascent