Sgùrr Coire Choinnichean, from Inverie

Summary

Sgùrr Coire Choinnichean is the fine peak that rises dramatically behind Inverie, and is well seen from the ferry approaching from Mallaig. It gives a fairly short hillwalk by Knoydart standards, a steep ascent with a very fine and airy (but easy) ridge and superlative views.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Hillpath for much of ascent, unclear in one or two places. Exposed ridge then long, mostly grassy descent.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Getting there

Start

Inverie, Knoydart peninsula.

Public Transport

Ferry to Inverie from Mallaig.

Start Grid Ref

NG765001

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 12.75km / 8 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5.5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 857m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Sgùrr Coire Choinnichean

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Walk Description

User reports (7)

Stage 1

From the ferry pier in Inverie turn right along the path by the shore, which soon rejoins the road. Continue to the right along it, but turn left before reaching the Old Forge on a track signed for the 'Knoydart in a Knutshell' walk. The track passes a parking area and climbs past a couple of A-frame houses before emerging on a larger track across the hill. Turn right here, and then stay on this track as it climbs steeply (ignoring the Knutshell path off to the right).

Stage 2

At a sharp bend after 200m or so turn left onto a much smaller path into the trees - there is a waymarker post. Follow this path to a junction, then turning right to climb steeply. The path continues uphill, swinging left and then forks - keep right here to climb up to a stile over a deer fence at the top of the plantation. Cross this and follow the now muddy path which runs to the right by the fence at first before heading more directly uphill. Excellent views begin to open up looking back over Inverie.

Stage 3

There are several different faint paths up this section; keep heading uphill on one of them, climbing in a generally NNE direction. Eventually there are views over the great gulf of the Slochd a' Mhogda ravine towards Sgùrr Coire Choinnichean beyond.

Stage 4

Keep the ravine to your right, climbing to head right around the grassy rim at the back of the ravine. From here there are dramatic views down towards the village. Once round the back of the Slochd, follow faint paths climbing diagonally southeast to gain the ridge to Sgùrr Coire Choinnichean.

Stage 5

Once on the ridge the path becomes clearer. The ridge is slender and rocky, climbing steeply but there are no real difficulties. There's one airy section before the ridge makes a final climb up to the west top at 779 metres. From here it's just a short walk to the true summit, the cairn at the 796m east top.

Stage 6

The quickest and perhaps pleasantest way back is probably to retrace steps, but the descent given here doesn't take much longer although largely pathless - in summer there is bracken and many ticks. To make this descent, continue along the grassy ridge; after it swings northeast there's quite a steep descent at one point. Continue down this until the start of the wide bealach before the ridge rises to Stob an Uillt-fhearna. Leave the ridge here to descend grassy slopes southeast into Coire Dubh.

Stage 7

Continue SSE down the open slopes, avoiding any minor crags. The going can become a little more overgrown in high summer towards the foot of the slope, before the track is reached near the Inverie River. Turn right along this to begin the walk back to Inverie.

Stage 8

Ignore any tracks off left, staying on the main track and passing below the memorial to Lord Brockett - the Nazi sympathiser who once owned Knoydart. Eventually the track climbs slightly; ignore a path off left. Follow the final track down beside a very mossy wall to join the road towards the east end of Inverie. Turn right along the tarmac road to return to the start, passing the cafe, post office and pub along the way.

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