Coire Lagan

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Summary

Coire Lagan is one of the most impressive corries in the Cuillin, a tiny loch ringed by gigantic rock peaks - an unforgettable place to visit. The walk up to it has the benefit of a good path initially, becoming rougher with some minor scrambling higher up.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

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

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Parking at Glen Brittle above the beach. 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: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 3 - 5 hours
Ascent: 590m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG408206

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (7)

Stage 1

Park just before the campsite at the end of the Glen Brittle road. The sandy beach here gives spectacular views of the peaks behind Coire Lagan, looking particularly beautiful when lit by the last rays of afternoon sun. 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. Go straight across when the path crosses a rough track.

Stage 2

As height is gained, great views open up of the Isle of Rhum and, later, Eigg. Ignore a path heading right across a burn - this leads to Coire Ghrunnda. After passing a large cairn (a path goes off to the left here, which will be used in descent) the ground becomes rougher.

Stage 3

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. The burn cascades over great grey slabs of gabbro to the right.

Stage 4

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 all around. It is immediately obvious that going higher 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 5

Cross the outflow of the loch to begin the walk around it. 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 Sgùrr Mhic Chòinnich, first climbed by the local guide John Mackenzie after whom it is named.

Stage 6

Further right is Sgùrr Thearlaich, a fang of rock accessible only to rock climbers, and then Sgùrr Alasdair, the highest mountain in Britain outwith the mainland. The last real peak is Sgùrr Sgumain and then the great rock wall of Sròn na Cìche, rising from beneath the corrie is The Cìoch - 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 7

The return walk heads back down the path, including the scrambly gully, to reach the large cairn mentioned earlier. To vary the route, bear right here. This path, greatly improved and reconstructed in 2007, replaces the once eroded and boggy route as it passes Loch an Fhir-Bhallaich

Stage 8

and later passes alongside the Eas Mòr 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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