Spidean a' Choire Lèith (Liathach)

Spidean a' Choire Lèith, at 1,055 metres, is the highest summit of Liathach — "the Grey One" — one of the great Torridon giants and widely rated among the finest ridge walks on the Scottish mainland.

The standard route starts from the Coire Dubh Mòr car park on the A896 between Torridon village and Kinlochewe, following the signed path into the glen separating Liathach from Beinn Eighe. A cairn marks a turnoff heading west towards Stuc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig across rough, sandstone terraces, with a short scramble breaching a band of crags before angular quartzite blocks lead to the ridge crest. From here the ridge climbs west over several rocky tops — Stob a' Choire Liath Mhor among them — before a final tough pull up boulder-strewn ground to the summit cone of Spidean a' Choire Lèith, the highest point on the entire Liathach ridge and a truly outstanding viewpoint stretching from Ben Hope in the north to Ben Nevis in the south.

Beyond the summit, most walkers continue west to the mountain's second Munro, Mullach an Rathain, crossing the famously exposed Am Fasarinen Pinnacles — genuine Grade 2 scrambling directly along the crest, though a well-trodden bypass path on the south flank avoids most of the difficulty for those who prefer it.

The full traverse taking in both Munros is around 12 kilometres with 1,200 metres of ascent, typically seven to eight hours.

The descent from Spidean a' Choire Lèith requires real care in poor visibility — the ridge continues south-east to a dangerous precipitous prow, and the crags above Coire na Càime to the north must also be avoided; the correct route heads briefly south then south-west down a steep boulder slope. Liathach's flanks are exceptionally steep throughout, with few safe escape routes from the ridge, making this a serious undertaking that should only be attempted in good visibility with full navigation skills.

Parking at the Coire Dubh Mòr car park is free; buses between Torridon and the train line at Achnasheen or Strathcarron are infrequent.