The Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain round

Summary

Sgùrr Ghiubhsachan is a magnificently rugged and rocky peak, well seen in the classic view down Glen Shiel from Glenfinnan. This route takes in the two additional Corbetts of Druim Tarsuinn and Sgùrr Croabh a' Chaorain to make a strenuous but very fine challenging hillwalk.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

The hill ridges are very rugged and rocky, with careful route-finding needed in a couple of places. Good track then boggy path for approach; river crossing in the Cona Glen may be impassable in spate.

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

Callop Forestry car park.

Public Transport

None to start - Bus/train to Glenfinnan 3km from start.

Start Grid Ref

NM924792

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 21.75km / 13.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 9 - 11 hours
Ascent: 1454m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Sgùrr Ghuibhsachain
Corbett: Druim Tarsuinn
Corbett: Sgùrr Craobh a'Chaorainn

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Walk Description

User reports (10)

Stage 1

Take the track towards Callop that branches south off the A830 around 400m west of where it passes under a railway bridge (or 3km east of Glenfinnan). Once over the bridge, turn right and there is a car park on the right near the riverbank. Begin the walk by turning left out of the car park, heading along the track (signed Ardgour, 18 miles) towards the small hydro-power station and cottages at Callop. Fork left just before reaching the cottages to continue on the track up the hillside, passing through a gate.

Stage 2

The hydro track ends at a small dam, with beautiful Scots pine woodland on the other bank of the burn. Take the signed path uphill to the right, soon passing through a gate in a deer fence. Follow the path as it rises gently up the glen towards the pass above Cona Glen; the going becomes quite boggy in places. Once above Cona Glen a grassy track swings left; ignore this and take the fainter path right. Meall Mòr now dominates the view across the Cona Glen, with Druim Tarsuinn less prominent to its right. Perhaps the quickest route is to descend into Cona Glen, fording the river below the five-sided plantation on the far side.

Stage 3

Cross the boggy glen floor and then aim up alongside the left edge of this plantation, then keeping on the left side of the five-sided plantation and then continuing up the left side of the obvious gully (seen in the photo above) that climbs obliquely up from left to right between Meall Mòr and Druim Tarsuinn. This is rough in places but never becomes too steep, eventually reaching the bealach and the ridge. Now turn right along the rocky, knobbly ridge for the final ascent to the remote summit of Beinn Tarsuinn. Strangely the ridge is accompanied by two separate lines of old fence posts.

Stage 4

From the cairn continue along the complex ridge with many rocky outcrops. It leads down to the Bealach Sgriodain and then continues for another kilometre before a steeper, grassy ascent to the Bealach Scamodale. If time is short, you can descend from here to the Cona Glen to rejoin the outward route back to the start. Otherwise, continue up the steep slope beyond, climbing up onto Meall nan Creag Leac. There are now excellent views of the lower end of Loch Shiel.

Stage 5

The ridge changes direction for the steadier climb - still on a knobbly ridge - towards Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain. The views continue to be superb, with Glenfinnan now visible at the head of Loch Shiel, and a full length view leads the eye down the Cona Glen.

Stage 6

The massive summit cairn atop Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain is a delighful place to linger if blessed with fine weather, but there is still a great deal of walking to be done. The descent - heading east at first - towards the next bealach is steep and very rocky; great care is needed and carefully route finding to thread a route down avoiding the large expanses of slabby rock. The gentler grassy slopes below will be reached with some relief - the photo shows the view back to Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain and this rocky descent.

Stage 7

Beyond the bealach the ridge continues more easily towards the third Corbett on the round, Sgùrr Craobh a' Chaorainn. On the approach the final climb to the summit appears to be barred by crags, but it is more straightforward than it looks to make a rising traversing line to the right below the barer section of crags before climbing up more straightforward ground to the summit cairn - rocky going, but not really any more than a walk.

Stage 8

From the summit, follow the ridge - easily at first - towards Meall na Cuartaige. The ridge soon steepens to more craggy ground - this can be avoided by descending along a rake just left of the ridge crest, or by keeping just right of the crest. Either way, the broad bealach beyond is reached. It is possible to bypass the steep peak of Meall na Cuartaige on the south side before continuing down the ridge.

Stage 9

The ridge continues as a mix of grass and rock - with stunning views - before it eventually meets the path used on the outward route below Sròn Feith nan Con. Turn left to retrace your steps along the path, passing through two gates, to meet the track and continue back down to Callop and the start.

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