An Teallach

An Teallach (meaning The Forge in Gaelic) is one of the most impressive of Scotland’s mountains. It lies to the southwest of Dundonnel, in an area often nicknamed the "great wilderness".

The mountain is notable for its geology; it mostly made of Torridonian sandstone. Like the peaks around Torridon (for which the rock is named) An Teallach has terraced sides, riven with steep gullies, and a sharp rocky summit crest. The most impressive section, known as Corrag Bhuide, rises above Loch Toll an Lochain. Corrag Bhuide's most spectacular feature is an overhanging pinnacle known as Lord Berkley's Seat.

An Teallach boasts two peaks of Munro status. As both lie to the north of the Corrag Bhuide buttress it is possible for the walker to bag both peaks without the need for much scrambling ability. The simplest route is probably that from Dundonnel, which follows a good path over rising ground to reach the northern summit, Bidein a'Ghlas Thuil, a distance of about 6 km. From here the second summit, Sgurr Fiona, lies about 1 km to the southwest.

An alternative northern route heads up from Corrie Hallie, which lies about 4 km south of Dundonnel. This route, some 5 km in length, climbs steeply up the headwall of the corrie of Glas Tholl to reach the main ridge just north of Bidein a'Ghlas Thuil.

Both of the above routes however miss out the central section, and it is this for which An Teallach is best known. A route that reaches the summits from the south starts from near Corrie Hallie, and follows a track (later a path) southwest for about 5 km, before breaking off to the north, climbing the southern end of the ridge via a subsidiary summit known as Sail Liath. Heading northwest towards the Corrag Bhuidhe buttresses a choice must be made; one may either scramble over them directly (including the crossing of Lord Berkley's Seat), or to take the bypass path on the southwest side. This path is eroded in some places and should not be regarded as an easy option.

The winter traverse of the ridge is probably more demanding than that of Liathach or the Aonach Eagach, because of the comparative remoteness of the mountain.