Sgòrr na Diollaid, Glen Cannich

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Summary

The pathless, rough slopes of Sgòrr na Diollaid are made memorable by being crowned with a wonderful rocky summit - a great viewpoint. This Corbett makes for one of the shorter days' hillwalking in the Cannich area.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Mostly pathless hillside with heather, rock and bog. Undulating terrain would be confusing in poor visibility. Very simple scramble on summit rocks.

Public Transport

None to start; nearest bus is at Cannich, around 6.5km away.

Start

Bridge over the River Cannich nr Muchrachd. Open in Google Maps.

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.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 7km / 4.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 654m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH285334

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Sgòrr na Diollaid

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (12)

Stage 1

Parking in Glen Cannich is increasingly limited; probably the best spot is 150m before the bridge over the river Cannich. Begin the walk by crossing the bridge, continuing until the track joins from Mucharchd. Don't follow the peaty track by the telegraph poles, instead keeping well right of this and heading NNW up the rough heathery slopes, with occassional traces of a path, soon opening up good views along Glen Cannich.

Stage 2

The terrain throughout this walk is rough, with only odd bits of path here and there - it is easy to become convinced that there is better going off to one side or the other but it seldom turns out to be the case. After the initial slope, the driest going is probably by heading up onto the rocky point at spot height 496m. From here a very short descent leads to easier slopes leading northwards, passing over or to the left of point 652m. By now there are superb views looking up the glen to the Munros of the Càrn Eige and Mullardoch ranges.

Stage 3

There is another slight descent to cross a boggy area - which can be avoided by detouring a little to the northwest - before the ground steepens again on a slope which gives better going on shorter vegetation and rocks. Atop this the summit comes into view at last - with two rocky tors joined by a short stretch of ridge.

Stage 4

Head up onto this ridge, reaching it just to the left of the higher tor at the eastern end. This - the true summit - can be reached by a very short simple scramble; it is also possible to walk up it from the eastern side.

Stage 5

The more westerly tor (which can be walked up) looks stunning in photographs seen from the summit, backed by amazing views up Glen Strathfarrar to the mountains around Loch Monar. In a superb array of mountains, Sgùrr a'Chaoracainn and Sgùrr Choinnich especially stand out.

Stage 6

To the north the Strathfarrar Munros are well seen, whilst to the east the hills decline towards the Firths and the sea. Whilst the walk can be extended WSW from the summit to take in further minor tops, the going is boggy. Another option for a longer walk is to head for an additional summit, Càrn Gorm. Otherwise, return the same way.

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