Coire Lagan

Coire Lagan is one of the most impressive corries in the Cuillin, a tiny loch ringed by giant rock peaks, and the walk into it has a good path and only very simple scrambling.

Terrain

Mostly on good paths; rough ground with simple scrambling near the mouth of the coire.

Public Transport

No public transport. Nearest bus stop is in Carbost 6 kilometres from start of walk.

Winter Safety

Please note that hillwalking in winter conditions - which is whenever there is snow lying - requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly, and to judge which routes are safe for the conditions and your party in winter. Please see our Winter Essentials for details.

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Start

Parking at Glen Brittle above the beach. Map and directions.

Currently 4.33/5

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km/5.5 miles
Time: 3 - 5 hours
Ascent: 590m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NG408206

Maps / GPS

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park just before the campsite at the end of the Glen Brittle road. The walk starts up the prominent path just left of the campsite toilet block. The early part of the route was once an eroded swamp, but following extensive works there is now an excellent pitched-stone constructed footpath.

Stage 2

As height is gained, great views open up of the Isle of Rhum and, later, Eigg. After passing a large cairn (a path goes off to the left here, which will be used in descent) the ground becomes rougher. The hardest part is where the path heads up a gully between two slabs of rock, the rocks in the gully bed and walls providing a simple scramble up a rocky staircase.

Stage 3

After the gully, the Loch is only short distance beyond. The small and beautiful blue lochan is surrounded by great sweeps of rock. There are huge slabs, vertical precipices and gigantic stone chutes. It is obvious that going any further would be much more difficult than the route so far, and many walkers will be content to make a circuit of the loch and linger here.

Stage 4

The screes on the left are topped by the jagged spire of the Inaccessible Pinnacle, the UK's most difficult mountain, though the summit is out of sight. To the right of this the screes lead right up to the ridge before the next great craggy peak Sgurr Mhic Choinnich, first climbed by the local guide John Mackenzie after whom it is named. Further right is Sgurr Thearlaich, a fang of rock accessible only to rock climbers, and then Sgurr Alasdair, the highest mountain in Britain outwith the mainland. The last real peak is Sgurr Sgumain and then the great rock wall of Sron na Ciche. The Cioch - a dramatic rock pinnacle jutting out from the face - can be hard to pick out but is sometimes well seen if the shadows are right.

Stage 5

On the descent, take the path off to the right at the cairn passed earlier. This new path, constructed in 2007 takes the place of the once eroded boggy route as it passes Loch an Fhir-Bhallaich and later passes alongside the Eas Mor falls, where a stream plunges over a cliff into a deep ravine. The path continues descending and crosses a footbridge before emerging on the Glen Brittle road near the mountaineering club hut. Turn left along the road to return to the start.

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