Beinn a’ Chrulaiste is a popular mountain in the Scottish Highlands, known for its stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It is located in the western part of Scotland, near the town of Glencoe. The mountain’s peak stands at an impressive height of 857 meters (2812 feet) above sea level, making it a challenging but rewarding hike for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Beinn a’ Chrulaiste – Is This the Best View in Glencoe?!
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Where to Stay in Glencoe
The remoteness in the highlands of Scotland will leave you with little choice of accommodation. Previously we have camped when we have stayed in Glencoe, however there are also some great hotels and quirky accommodations for a bit more comfort such as The RiverBeds Luxury Lodges with hot tubs or The Kingshouse Hotel.
What is Beinn a’ Chrulaiste?
Beinn a’ Chrulaiste, a mountain located in the western part of Scotland near the town of Glencoe, is renowned for its breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Standing at an impressive height of 857 meters (2812 feet) above sea level, this mountain offers a challenging but rewarding hike for outdoor enthusiasts.
The terrain of the hike is varied, with some steep sections and rocky terrain, but also some flatter areas where you can catch your breath and take in the views.
As you ascend the mountain, you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the peaks of Buachaille Etive Mor and Bidean nam Bian, as well as the valleys of Glencoe and Glen Etive.
There are no water sources up this hill so it is important you have plenty water for your hike.
How to get to Beinn a’ Chrulaiste?
To get to Beinn a’ Chrulaiste, you can start from the car park at Altnafeadh, which is located on the A82 road between Glencoe and Fort William. From there, you can follow the well-marked trail that leads up the mountain. The hike is approximately 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) round trip, and it usually takes around 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your fitness level and pace.
You may wish to stop at the top for a break and some food if the weather is good as the views are fantastic.
What to pack for Beinn a’ Chrulaiste
Comfortable Clothing and Footwear
As with any hike, it’s important to wear appropriate clothing and footwear to ensure your comfort and safety on the trail. The weather in the Scottish Highlands can be unpredictable, so it’s best to dress in layers so you can easily adjust your clothing as needed. A waterproof jacket and trousers are essential, as well as a warm hat and gloves in the event that the weather turns. Good quality hiking boots with ankle support and a sturdy sole are also important, as the terrain can be rocky and uneven in places.
A Midge net and spray
Your trip to Scotland will be a lot more comfortable with a midge net and midge spray. These little biting bugs can be enough to ruin a trip if you don’t have the equipment to protect yourself from them. A repelling candle can also be helpful if you are sitting oustide. We have also found these Pestects bracelets to be very helpful at keeps the midges away.
Map and Compass
Don’t go out into the hills without a map and a compass as it is so easy to get lost and stray off the path.
Camera
Beinn a’ Chrulaiste offers some of the most stunning views in the Scottish Highlands, so bringing a camera is highly recommended. Whether you’re using a smartphone, a point-and-shoot camera, or a more advanced DSLR, there are plenty of opportunities to capture the beauty of the landscape as you hike. Don’t forget to bring spare batteries and a large memory card, and be sure to take plenty of photos to remember your adventure! We use the Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera.
When is the best time to hike Beinn a’ Chrulaiste?
The best time to hike Beinn a’ Chrulaiste is during the summer months (June-August), when the weather is typically milder and the days are longer. However, it’s important to keep an eye on the weather forecast before setting out, as conditions can change quickly in the Scottish Highlands. Ideally, you want to aim for a clear day with good visibility, so you can fully appreciate the stunning views from the summit. If the weather is poor, it’s best to postpone your hike for another day, as the terrain can become treacherous in wet or windy conditions.
Whether it is summer or winter in Glencoe, when hiking Beinn a’ Chrulaiste, it’s important to dress appropriately for the weather, wear sturdy hiking boots, bring a camera to capture the stunning views, and aim for a clear day with good visibility to fully appreciate the beauty of the landscape. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to have an unforgettable adventure in the Scottish Highlands!
Before You Leave for Glencoe
Before you head off on your trip to Glencoe, there are certain things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth trip. These include how to get around the area, including being aware of single track roads, etc., what to pack for Scotland, where to stay in the area and what travel insurance to book.
How Do I Get Around Glencoe?
Given the remote location of the Glencoe and the majority of the sights along the route, the best way to get around this road trip is by driving. There are of course other methods that are still popular, such as cycling and hiking, however, if you have a short amount of time, neither of these are very suitable.
As for public transport, there isn’t any, however many Scotland bus tours will include Glencoe in their itinerary.
If you are looking to rent a cosy, reliable, and luxurious campervan for your trip to Glencoe, we highly recommend hiring through Spaceship Rentals.
Browse the full range of vehicles on offer at Spaceship Rentals over here.
What Should I Pack for Glencoe?
When it comes to packing for a trip to Glencoe there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Scotland on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your time in Glencoe you will probably experience at least a drizzle of rain. Due to this, the number one item on any Scotland packing list is a good waterproof jacket.
As for the rest of the year, the temperature in Scotland and the central heartlands is reasonably mild for most of the year. During the winter months, you will most likely experience snow, however, temperatures usually sit around freezing, so it is not too cold. For your reference, the average temperatures in Scotland are listed below during each season.
Spring (March, April, May) – 5-10 degrees C
Summer (June, July, August) – 15 degrees C
Autumn (September, October, November) – 5-10 degrees C
Winter (December, January, February) – 0-5 degrees C
As you can see, the weather never really gets above the teens, with anything over 25 degrees C considered a heatwave. The best way to pack for your trip to the highlands is with layers that can be added and removed as you need them. You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the colder months and will most likely need sunscreen to protect you on the long days in the open.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Scotland, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Shure VP83 Condenser Shotgun Microphone
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 9 Black and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socket
Where Should I Stay in Glencoe?
The remoteness in the highlands of Scotland will leave you with little choice of accommodation. Previously we have camped when we have stayed in Glencoe, however there are also some great hotels and quirky accommodations for a bit more comfort such as The RiverBeds Luxury Lodges with hot tubs or The Kingshouse Hotel.
What is the Best Travel Insurance?
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a complete guide to visiting Beinn a’ Chrulaiste in Glencoe. If you have visited Glencoe recently, what did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this guide with your family and friends who may also be going on an adventure to Glencoe. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our Scotland content for more inspiration to our beautiful home country.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
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