This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.
Total Ascent
1400 m
An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.
Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.
Route Time
7 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
21.77 km
The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.
You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.
Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.
Notes
Moderate route with steep ascent on grass leading to rocky top. Cycling possible on approach track.
Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.
We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.
Travel Information
Head to: Fort William
From Fort William (A82) travel N 2km then turn right onto A830 and travel W 18km. Stop at junction with A861.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,400 metres. Allow 7 hours to complete this 21.77 km route.
In winter months please check the local snow conditions at sais.gov.uk.
The hillphones service can inform you of stalking activities in the area.
Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.
The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.
Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.
Route Information
Waypoint Detail
Start from junction of A830 road and A861 road at the head of Loch Eil
NM95987935
Distance
Altitude 15 m
1
Follow track N to bridge and cross to the west of the Fionn Lighe river
NM96318130
Distance 2.15 km
Altitude 65 m
2
Follow path NE to junction
NM96718226
Distance 1.15 km
Altitude 82 m
3
Take path NE through Gleann Fionnlighe
NM99178420
Distance 3.86 km
Altitude 190 m
4
Shortly after the path turns NW into Coire Reidh, ascend NNE to 855m top
NM99718582
Distance 1.73 km
Altitude 855 m
5
Continue N to south top 961m with trig point
NM99668646
Distance 0.66 km
Altitude 961 m
6
Bear NNE to summit of Gulvain
NN00288757
Distance 1.35 km
Altitude 987 m
7
Reverse route to return
NM95987935
Distance 10.89 km
Altitude 15 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 4 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
John Monaghan
on 27 Oct 2010:
25/10/10 Take a bike, can cycle the whole way to the bottom of assent ridge, much further than maps/guide books suggest, 7k free wheel back to the start!
Written by
David Harbottle
on 18 Feb 2008:
Save yourself 10 miles walking and use a bike up this easily cyclable glen.
Written by
Mike Watson
on 06 Jan 2008:
Did this in winter conditions Jan 2008.
Good landrover track that carries on for much further than the OS map implies. Followed by obvious walkers track for a lot of the slog uphill.
Ridge between the 3 tops a bit indistinct at times and very easy to go astray so be careful in poor vis.
We got a lift along the last few km of track from the stalker to round things off nicely!
Written by
Fiona Masson
on 16 Oct 2006:
Climbed 14.10.06. Good walk in. Bike would be useful right to the bottom of the hill.Great path all the way to the top. Unfortunately last 200m in cloud but very warm for time of year. Gulvain "the noisy hill" very appropriate as heard lots of stags throughout walk. Saw golden eagle. Very pleasant hill. Dont let the 4hr guide book walk time put you off. Would do again!!
Written by
Peter Sinclair
on 23 Feb 2006:
Climbed on the 22nd February 2006. A long but easy walk-in of 7.5 km before the climb starts. Long hard pull to southern top at 855m. After gaining the trig point at 961m you are then rewarded with a great snow covered ridge walk to summit at 987m. Views were amongst the best I have seen through 360 degrees, all the way to the hills of Harris.
Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map,
a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.
