📌 Altnaharra, Highland
★★★
Ben Klibreck is an isolated massif at the centre of the Far North region. Topping out at 962 metres above sea level, it’s the highest summit for miles around, losing only to Ben Hope for the title of Scotland’s most northerly Munro. On a clear day, the views from the two shattered trig pillars at the top are some of the most extensive to be had anywhere, with all of the major peaks in Sutherland and Caithness visible, and Loch Naver and Loch Shin curling away to the north and south. Soggy ground low down can be a bit of a chore, but at least there’s a path for this part. The southern subsidiary summit of Creag an Lochain has a fine northern coire loch and its twin tops are well worth adding on as a detour on the way back down. Reward yourself for your efforts with a trip to the nearby Crask Inn afterwards – a legendary walker’s pub with accommodation.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Ben Klibreck from the A836 
Soggy lower slopes 
Looking back from the ascent of Cnoc Sgriodain 
Cnoc Sgriodain 
Ben Klibreck from Cnoc Sgriodain 
Traversing the west side of Creag an Lochain 
Loch nan Uan 
Final summit cone 
Looking back towards Ben Hope (left) & Ben Loyal 
Ring ouzel 
Looking west towards Assynt 
Creag an Lochain from the summit 
Loch Shin (left) & Assynt from the summit 
Ben Loyal (centre) & Loch Naver from the summit 
East ridge & the two Ben Griams (right) 
Looking southeast
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on A836 0.5 mi south of Vagastie Bridge & 6 mi south of Altnaharra
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NC 529266
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.203995,-4.505187
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 17 km / 11 mi | ▲ 1110 m | ⌛ 6-7 hr
Features: △ Cnoc Sgriodain (544 m); △ Ben Klibreck (962 m, Munro); △ Creag an Lochain (808 m)
⬤ Tough | Paths / tracks for most of route, boggy low down and steep higher up. Some pathless sections.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk with detour to Creag an Lochain on return: start – leave road at 🧭 NC 533271 – Cnoc Sgriodain – 688m spot height / bealach – Ben Klibreck – return to bealach – Creag an Lochain – detour to south top – descend west to rejoin outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Numerous ptarmigan, ring ouzel, cuckoos heard, newts.
Weather: Mostly cloudy but with sunnier periods early & late in the walk, little wind. A few degrees above freezing on the summit with avoidable snowfields / patches (mostly above 750m).
May 2021
