Sgurr Mhic Choinnich

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Sgurr Mhic Choinnich is one of the most difficult of the Cuillin Munros to reach for non rock-climbers. The final approach along the ridge is an exposed and in places difficult scramble; the rock scenery throughout is superb.

Terrain

Rough walking to Coire Lagan, then a very steep ascent up scree to reach the ridge. The route beyond is a very exposed and in places difficult scramble, sometimes on basalt which is slippery when wet.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Parking at Glen Brittle above the beach. 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 Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 11km / 7 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 950m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG408206

Summits Climbed

Munro: Sgurr Mhic Choinich

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park just before the campsite at the end of the Glen Brittle road, where there is a sandy beach. The walk starts through the campsite and small gate to keep left of the toilet block and up the prominent path. Go straight across when a rough track is reached. The early part of the route was once an eroded swamp, but following extensive works there is now an excellent pitched-stone constructed footpath.

Stage 2

Ignore a path forking off to the right. As height is gained, great views open up of the Isle of Rum and, later, Eigg. After passing a large cairn (a path goes off to the left here, which will be used in descent) the ground becomes rougher. At one point the path heads up a gully between two slabs of rock, scrambling slightly.

Stage 3

After the gully, the Loch is only short distance beyond. This is one of the most impressive places in Britain, with the small and beautiful blue lochan surrounded by great sweeps of rock. There are huge slabs, vertical precipices and gigantic stone chutes, with the summit of Sgurr Mhic Choinnich visible at the back of the coire.

Stage 4

Go round the loch to the left and head to the back of the corrie. The route now involves an ascent of the An Stac screes - a wide slope of unstable scree. It is very much a case of two steps up and one step back. It is safer to keep to the side of the scree in case anyone higher up dislodges a rock and take care not to send rocks down on anyone below, helmets are a sensible precaution.

Stage 5

The route emerges on the ridge at Bealach Coire Lagan. On the left, the great buttress of An Stac rises up impressively. Turn right along the ridge, heading across a fairly flat section before a short descent leads to the lowest point of on the corrie headwall. From here the scrambling along the ridge is not too difficult at first, weaving a route up various blocks and grooves. The views back are sensational.At a slight flattening about two thirds of the way up the exit from Collie's Ledge (or Hart's Ledge) is seen on the right. Immediately above this is the trickiest section - a short but very steep rise in the ridge. This is a hard scramble with yawning exposure, made worse by the knowledge that it will seem even trickier in descent.

Stage 6

Once past this the rest of the ridge remains exposed but without any difficult obstacles. The summit is soon reached - an extremely dramatic spot, the partial remins of a memorial plaque are concreted to the cairn.

Stage 7

There is a vertical descent on the ridge just beyond the summit so it is necessary instead to return the same way - unless abseiling! The easiest way back is to reverse the whole of the route of ascent, though very experienced and competent scramblers might attempt Collie's Ledge.

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