Sgùrr Thuilm and Sgùrr nan Coireachan

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This pair of Munros lie just south of the Rough Bounds of Knoydart but share the fine rugged and demanding character of their northern neighbours. They give a long but superb mountain day out with grand views.

Terrain

Much of the approach walk is on tarmac but the hills themselves are steep, rugged, with steep and rocky terrain at times.

Public Transport

Bus or train to Glenfinnan.

Start

Car park at Glenfinnan off the N side of the A830, just before the bridve over the River Finnan. . Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the new car park just east of the bridge over the River Finnan (charge). The impressive monument seen across the other side of the road is worth a visit - it commemorates where Bonnie Prince Charlie first raised his standard at the start of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. Start by taking the path up the glen from the car park. It crosses a footbridge and then continues upriver, before eventually meeting a private tarmac road at the foot of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, part of the famous West Highland railway. The Viaduct has become even better known in recent years after it starred in the Harry Potter movies. Turn right along the lane to head under the viaduct.

Stage 2

Continue up the tarmac road beyond, ignoring the turning off to the right over the river. The road runs up the glen, with forestry clothing the hills on both sides. After another three kilometres it crosses a bridge over the Allt a Chaol-ghlinne. Over the bridge, turn off the tarmac onto the rougher road to the right. This rougher track soon reaches the old cottage of Corryhully. This is maintained by the estate as an open bothy for use outside the stalking season. Continue on the track up the west bank of the River Finnan for another couple of kilometres, passing a waterfall and keeping straight on at a cross-tracks.

Stage 3

Near a hydro power intake the river forks, and the main branch is crossed on a bridge. Cross this bridge and continue until you have passed a small area of trees over to your left. A short distance after this, turn left off the track (there are traces of a path) and head up towards the Druim Coire a'Bheithe ridge. The going is boggy at first; later the path becomes clearer and climbs the steepest section just to the right of a burn. The slope eases above the 600 metre contour; continue uphill on the now grassy ridge, with great views back down the glen.

Stage 4

Sgùrr Thuilm is now in view ahead. The ridge curves left and crosses a minor bump, briefly joining a line of fenceposts. The fenceposts are left behind for the final ascent to the summit. The ridge is fairly wide but there are very steep drops off either side. The cairn at 963m is the highest of the day's two Munros, with great views towards Knoydart and down to Loch Arkaig.

Stage 5

Retrace your steps back down the last part of the ascent, returning as far as the fenceposts and then bearing right to follow these onto the knobbly ridge which leads to Sgùrr nan Coireachan. There are several rocky bumps along the ridge, but there's now a fairly worn path that can soon be picked up and is a great help with traversing them all. After crossing the first bump, there's a longer descent to the lowest point on the ridge.

Stage 6

The second bump is fairly minor, with only a slight descent before the climb to the third bump - Beinn Gharbh. The going is now becoming much rockier, and there's a small lochan and a great view back along the ridge to Sgùrr Thuilm. Continue towards the fourth bump - Meall an Tarmachan. This has a steep nose which can be passed on either side.

Stage 7

After a very brief descent the final ascent towards Sgùrr nan Coireachan begins; there's a great view towards the wild head of Loch Morar to the right of the summit. Continue up to reach the cylindrical trig point at 956m marking the second Munro of the day. Although lower than Sgùrr Thuilm it is a better summit and a finer viewpoint.

Stage 8

From here descend the broad southeast ridge. There are several bumps before a slight rise to the minor peak of Sgùrr a Choire Riabhaich. Just beyond this the ridge drops very steeply in slopes of grass and broken rock; follow the path which swings to the right when this drop is reached, making an eroded descent before it cuts back across the slope to rejoin the ridge below the steep section.

Stage 9

Continue down a more sedate section of ridge before the ground steepens once more. This time the slope is less forbidding and the path continues down the ridge without difficulty. Further down the ridge starts to become very rocky. Eventually you'll reach the start of a well-graded stalkers path that descends to the left in a series of zig-zags before heading diagonally down the east flank of the ridge. This path leads back to the track used earlier; turn right to return to Corryhully and then continue all the way back to Glenfinnan.

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Sgùrr Thuilm and Sgùrr nan Coireachan

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Terrain

Public Transport

Start

Hillwalking in Winter

Users' reports

Walk Statistics

Summits Climbed

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