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
1508 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
5.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
12.28 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.
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Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.
Notes
Difficult route due to scramble on rocky Forcan Ridge. A classic South Glen Shiel route.
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: Shiel Bridge
From Shiel Bridge (A87) travel SE 7km to start of stalkers path N of the bridge over the Allt Mhalagain.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,508 metres. Allow 5.5 hours to complete this 12.28 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 at junction of stalkers path with road
NG96861429
Distance
Altitude 25 m
1
Take path S across the old military road and ascend SW
NG96071362
Distance 1.34 km
Altitude 242 m
2
Bear NW on path and continue to bealach N of Meallan Odhar
NG95191412
Distance 1.08 km
Altitude 476 m
3
Bear S and ascend through crags
NG95201350
Distance 0.56 km
Altitude 610 m
4
Continue SW to the start of the Forcan Ridge
NG94811309
Distance 0.62 km
Altitude 605 m
5
Continue W up the Forcan Ridge to The Saddle summit
NG93491306
Distance 1.34 km
Altitude 1010 m
6
Descend SE into Bealach Coire Mhalagain
NG94321247
Distance 1.09 km
Altitude 695 m
7
From Lochan select route through crags SE onto ridge (965m)
NG94601220
Distance 0.44 km
Altitude 865 m
8
Follow curved ridge SW turning SE to summit of Sgurr na Sgine
NG94581137
Distance 0.97 km
Altitude 946 m
9
Return to N on to ridge
NG94601220
Distance 0.44 km
Altitude 865 m
10
Continue E to summit of Faochag
NG95461233
Distance 1.42 km
Altitude 909 m
11
Descend NE on ridge to join path by Allt Mhalagain, and find safe crossing
NG97041343
Distance 1.95 km
Altitude 75 m
12
Follow path back to road
NG96861429
Distance 1.05 km
Altitude 25 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 13 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Brian Howarth
on 01 Sep 2009:
Forcan ridge entertaining. Rock was greasy on wet day I did it, so bypassed bad step to left. Sgurr na Sgine a relatively easy second summit after The Saddle. Path off Faochag was surprisingly good, given that it reveals itself in stretches and you expect to reach rocky downclimb, but it never comes. Steep and wet descent in short distance but never challenging. River crossing at end!
Written by
John Gilchrist
on 25 Jul 2008:
If staying at the camp site, there is a longer but car free alternative route. Starting rather incongruously behind the toilet block, a well made path leads up Glen Undalain, branching left into Coire Caol and leading up to just below the Bealach (na Craoibhe) noted in Stage Two. This route means you miss out on Faochag since you have to return via Bealach Coire Mhalagain where you can pick up a path that traverses below Sgurr nan Forcan along the line of a dry stane dyke, rejoining the outward route. A couple of pools close to the camp site offer the chance of a dook on a hot day.
Written by
Michael Innes
on 15 Jun 2008:
I'm not sure who estimated that this route will take you 5.5 hours. It took us 9 hours!!! and that was in ideal weather conditions. We did take our time going over the Forcan Ridge but you would be crazy not too as very exposed in bits - if I do this route again I probably would rope up on the ridge. I would allow 8-9 hours to do this route. Its exciting route to do but you need a head for heights (follow the wall round the hill if you don't want to do the ridge - much easier route up other side but a bit more boring)and coming down Sgurr na Sgine is hard on the knees lol
Written by
Craig Dunderdale
on 05 May 2007:
I climbed this on my own in April and it's one of my favourite days out of 210 Munros. The ridge and views are spectacular with a "bail out" path nearly all the way. Take your time make the most of it, not hard other than the vertical wall as mentioned in another review but that has plenty of hand and foot holds.
Written by
Peter Sinclair
on 26 Mar 2007:
An excellent day on a great mountain ridge. Not to be missed if you do not mind a bit of scrambling.
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.
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