Ben Klibreck

Ben Klibreck, at 961-962 metres, is a giant, whale-like Munro isolated in the wilds of East Sutherland, the second most northerly Munro after Ben Hope, its summit — Meall nan Con, "the mound of the dogs" — offering a stunning panorama of Scotland's northern wilderness.

The route starts from a rough parking area around 2.5 kilometres north of the Crask Inn, on the south side of a windfarm entrance. A boggy path or ATV track heads a little south of east towards Cnoc Sgriodain across wet ground, passing through a gate before the ascent steepens, with drier ground higher up. Peat hags make an unwelcome appearance before the path continues towards Creag an Lochain, swinging left to traverse the western flank rather than crossing the summit directly — a route better suited to summer, since winter conditions usually favour following the ridge itself. Beyond the bealach at 688 metres, the ridge of A' Chioch leads to the foot of the summit pyramid, where the path turns east up a rocky band before continuing up grassy slopes to the final, steep ascent — a couple of stony sections but no real obstacles — reaching the summit cairn and the remains of two broken trig points at Meall nan Con.

The views in all directions take in the vast, empty spaces and moors of the far north — a landscape of near-perfect desolation, rarely matched elsewhere in Scotland.

Alternative, considerably longer routes exist via Srath a' Chraisg from the Crask Inn towards Bealach Eas Choin and along the ridge, or via Land Rover tracks to Loch Choire from the east.

The out-and-back route from the layby north of Crask is typically five to six hours; Ben Klibreck and Ben Hope are often combined on the same day by visitors staying in the area, given the roughly 40-minute drive between the two.

The lower approach is boggy and indistinct in places, with peat hags adding to the navigational challenge — full route-finding skills remain valuable given how featureless and remote this whole area is, particularly in poor visibility.

Parking north of the Crask Inn is free; there is no direct public transport, though the A836 has occasional bus services.