South Glen Shiel Ridge

KINTAIL: GLEN SHIEL AND DORNIE


Summary :	A marvellous ridgewalk which is a Munro-baggers delight. Nowhere else in the Highlands can so many peaks be climbed in a day, with minimal descent between the summits. The views are excellent all the way.
Terrain :	Superb ridgewalking on a well defined grassy crest for much of the route. There are short sections of very simple rock scrambling, and the initial approach is across rough moorland.
Grade :		Distance :	21km/13 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	9 – 11 hours
Start :	Layby at start of lane just east of Cluanie Inn	Grid ref :	NH079117
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 414 - Glen Shiel online	Ascent :	1810m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open in Virtual Highlands Tell me more Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more
Munros climbed :	Creag a' Mhaim, Druim Shionnach, Aonach Air Chrith, Maol Chinn-dearg, Sgurr an Doire Leathain, Sgurr an Lochain, Creag nan Damh
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	There is a reasonable bus service along the A87, served by Citilink buses from Glasgow and Inverness.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

1. The whole ridge on the south side of Glen Shiel is described as a single walk. Although a long day, this is the way most walkers tackle it. Note that this walk finishes around nine kilometres down the A87 from the start point, so you will probably want to arrange transport back up the glen, or try to time things for the bus service.

2. Just east of the Cluanie Inn is the start of the old road from Cluanie to Tomdoun; it is possible to park fifty metres along this road. The walk begins by continuing along this private road until a bridge over the Allt Giubhais after three kilometres. From here, head up along the far side of the stream for a short distance before cutting southwards across the boggy, pathless moor towards Creag a'Mhaim. In clear conditions it is possible to make out the short north ridge heading down from the summit of this peak; head directly for this, which is steep in part, to emerge on the main ridge just a few metres west of the summit of Creag a' Mhaim, the first Munro of the day at 947 metres.

3. The most strenous part of the walk is now already behind, as the marvellous South Glen Shiel Ridge stretches ahead. There is only a very short descent to the first col, after which the ridge begins to narrow on the gradual climb up to the second peak. The final section of ridge before the summit of Druim Shionnach is very narrow and can be avoided by the nervous using a bypass path just off to the left; you have now reached your second Munro at 987 metres.

Photo ©Nigel Brown, reproduced under this licence.

4. The next peak is three kilometres further along the ridge, though the undulations are fairly gentle. There are great slabby crags sweeping down into the corries to the north, but the southern slopes are much gentler. The reward is your third Munro, Aonach air Chrith which at 1021 metres is the highest summit on the whole ridge. From here, most of the rest of the days ridge can be seen winding ahead. Just after the summit is a very narrow and rocky section of ridge, which many walkers shuffle across in part on their bottoms. There are no real difficulties however and soon the narrow grassy path enables a faster pace once more.

5. The ridge undulates over a couple of very minor summits before ascending to the fourth Munro, Maol Chinn-Dearg (981metres). From here the path along the ridge bypasses the top of the minor peak of Sgurr Coire na Feinne before a long slow ascent to munro number five, Sgurr an Doire Leathain (1010 metres). The very summit of this mountain is a short distance along the northeast ridge and requires a slight detour. It has a fine view of the next peak, Sgurr an Lochain which is the most distinctive on the whole ridge.

6. Return to the main ridge, which now has good views down to the loch in Coire Lochain, and climbs easily up to Sgurr an Lochain (1004 metres). Enjoy the view from this sixth and finest Munro of the day before heading along the seemingly endless ridge once more. The next peak Sgurr Beag is not a Munro and most walkers have worn a path which avoids its summit, passing to the south side, before the ridge drops to its lowest point at 729 metres with a little lochan.

7. The climb up to the final Munro (Creag nan Damh) is likely to be a trial for worn-out limbs. Once you've reached the top, the quickest descent is down the northeast ridge. This is narrow in places but there are no real difficulties. Once down to the Allt an Fhraoch choire, there is an excellent stalkers path which keeps to the west of the stream; lower down, it crosses it on a footbridge. At the bottom of the Glen, the path emerges onto the A87 a little awkwardly round a forestry plantation.

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