Is this the Scariest Path in Scotland? The Mighty Liathach

Outstanding video. I did it as a lad, (many moons ago) in April on the wettest, claggiest day I have ever been out in. Memorable day but no views like you had, what a brilliant route 👍

"scariest route in Scotland, come see" takes bypass path

Scotland IS the moist beautiful country on earth

I found aonach eagach to be alot less scary than liathach, I don't know if I just wasn't feeling it that day but that bypass route had me a little nervous around that little cove area, doesn't help when you see water running down the small path you need to walk across. Definitely worth it for the views though.

This certainly shows the bypass path is far from fear-free. I did the Fasarinen several times when I lived in Torridon. The last was a July night in 1977 (west to east) with my black Labrador. While I was above he kept to the path below keeping an eye on me all the way. I don't think the bypass was as scary looking then! Your video brings back memories of just how wonderful Torridon looked on a summer day. Thank you for it. One small point though - I never heard Mullach an Rathain translated as "Summit of the Police". If people want a full explanation this is the best to my knowledge. ' The strangely named Mullach an Rathain named 'Summit of the Pulley' after the shape of two prominent rocks at its summit as seen from the little village of Fasag below. These rocks resemble the grooved pulley at the end of the spindle of a spinning wheel which receives the driving cord.(Ainmean Àite na h-Alba - Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland). In Gaelic it is simply called 'An Rathan' - the local Torridon name for this part of a spinning wheel. 'Mullach' or summit was possibly added by some map maker. The Horns of Alligin have the same name in Gaelic (Na Rathanan) for the same reason - The Pulleys'.

I find it disgusting that a Scottish person has not taken the time to find out how to pronounce Liathach correctly.

Note to self: don't use the bypass path 😂

I went over the Pinnacles i think it was better than the route you took i remember seeing all the crampon scratches on the stones made by the climbers who done the mountain in Winter

Stunning video, love seeing this side of Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I can’t have been the only one who was leaning to the right in my chair the whole time you were on that bypass path.

Superb video. No way would I attempt that ridge!

The shite’s been runnin doon ma trooser leg watchin this.

Respect to you keeping your cool. That was scary to watch never mind walk that ridge!

Hi James just started watching your channel mate. Some great videos you have done of the Munros 👍🏼

First time up Tryfan i was tempted by the rather pleasant looking path near the top and boy was that a mistake - legs turned to jelly! Beware the easy-looking option.

Let's be honest, there's nothing 'mighty' about a few hills

I did this route on 30 September 1991 in beautiful weather. It really is a superb mountain. Like you I took the bypass path. Although it was dead level (I don't remember having to scramble up slightly as you showed - probably it's got more eroded since then) when I came to a hollow in the buttress I had to stop to let my heart rate go down. What you didn't show is how suddenly it emerges onto the broader ridge - that's a great moment! Several people told me after that that the pinnacles are easier than the path, and many of the comments here say the same. Have you been back yet to go over the pinnacles?

I never even considered the bypass path when I was on Liathach as I'm a pretty accomploshed scrambler and free-climber. From what I've seen of it in videos it doesn't look much of an inviting alternative to scrambling straight over. This is only my opinon, obviously, but I much preferred An Teallach to Liathach. If you stick to going straight over the pinnacles and avoid any bypass paths on An Teallach it's a much better challenge. Both great mountains though with Ben Alligin also worth a mention, especially if you scramble all the way over the horns.

I did this traverse back in 2011, but don’t remember it being quite so exposed. Maybe I didn’t take the ‘bypass’😅

A good thriller. Wild narrow paths where you can't afford to falter. The journey continues, my friend. Autumn greetings from Helsinki 🇫🇮 🍁

Big thanks James for the superb videos. Stunning scenery!!

Bypass path may be a lot easier with frozen ground and with crampions donned?

Absolute mental mate. You must have balls of irn bru to do some of the traversing you do! I’ll stick to Tinto Hill😂

Crazy. Wonderful, but crazy! I'll aim for Ben Lawers for my second Munro I think and keep it safe!

Looks steep and fantastic condtions!

Love the videos, Murray. This is another fantastic watch!

James uses some Scottish vocabulary and mountaineering jargon in these videos - if like me, you love these videos but there are some terms which you're not familiar with, I've compiled a little translation dictionary below:

Bealach - A narrow mountain pass
Bothy - basic accommodation which is free to use
In 'spate' - When a river is very full and fast flowing due to heavy rainfall
Stalkers - Deer hunters
Baltic - Bloody freezing
Rounded lump - Not even a proper mountain
Atmospheric - There's clouds on it
Exposed - Almost certain death

Greta vod, thanks. By-pass looks far worse than the pinnacles,s o i think when we are up there in May we'll go over the tops

Absolutely love your videos. Thank you for the inspiration your giving me. Gonna be in Scotland again this year in May ;). Absolutely stunning place!

I think I fainted for a moment when you were on the bypass path!

As someone with no head for heights, I don't think I'll ever be climbing this one haha. That bypass is absolutely terrifying

Was there in 1980,
RAF Kinloss,
Mrt.

One of my favourite places on earth - found some random woman stuck in a gully up there, she thought it was a path, scary talking her up to the main ridge. A spectacle to behold that ridge walk..

make it look scary with that lense

MAN ALIVE!

I'll pass on that

James, thanks for posting this and all of your great videos. It's great to see your accounts of Munroes we (wife and I) have done and to view those we won't now be able to (old age sadly). What is also really fab for me is that I did Liathach a few years ago in poor visibilility so it's great to see what I missed! That said I may have been even more nervous with a better view of the sheer drops. Many thanks again.

I've done the Am Fasarinen pinnacles and looked down on the bypass path and was glad I chose the ridge. Very airy but the rock is solid.

A mountain area I “discovered” in the 1970s (in those days it was deserted) and always wanted to explore but not solo. Sadly, it never happened and at 85 never will. But, thanks for this, despite walking and climbing in the Alps and elsewhere it confirms my caution.

Glad we went over the pinnacles, that bypass looks awful

I climbed this a long, long time ago ( C.40 years ) the bypass path is as scary a walk as you ever want to be on , some real sphincter tightening moments, so real respect to anyone to completes this climb .

Extremely dangerous. Can’t imagine how people do it.

I also took the bypass in similar conditions and regretted it ever since 🙄 this brought back some memories 🤭 thanks for sharing 👌

Glorious day for it! Path or Pinnacles? The path is pretty eroded in bits: having done it both ways, I'd wait for it to dry out a bit and take the Pinnacles. You know where you are on rock...

Can you do them one at a time without that level of exposure? I love the mountains, but my legs wouldn’t allow me to take that bypass path! Fair play to you though for doing it, I’ve heard it’s worse than the pinnacles!

Love your videos, cheers

Aonach Eagach is narrower, more difficult and more sustained, and some of the ridges on the Cuillin traverse, Skye, are even narrower and more difficult than that.

this bypass is scary, I did exactly the same, I thought it will be easy option....but it wasn't LOL; well done mate

Great day out summer or winter, technically? navigationally demanding in poor visibility...