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
1809 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
7.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
20.24 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
A moderate to strenuous route on the "Five Sisters of Kintail" involving some relatively easy scrambling. This is a classic 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 11km SW to parking.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,809 metres. Allow 7.5 hours to complete this 20.24 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 parking by A87 road
NH00881354
Distance
Altitude 195 m
1
Ascend N on steep slopes to Bealach na Lapaich
NH00741452
Distance 1.01 km
Altitude 730 m
2
Head WNW on ridge to Sgurr na Spainteach
NG99161501
Distance 1.71 km
Altitude 990 m
3
Continue W on ridge (parallel ribs separated by rocky depression) to Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe
NG98391496
Distance 0.86 km
Altitude 1027 m
4
Head W turning NW on ridge to col (850m)
NG97761546
Distance 0.96 km
Altitude 850 m
5
Ascend N to Sgurr na Carnach
NG97721588
Distance 0.47 km
Altitude 1002 m
6
Continue N on ridge to Sgurr Fhuaran (the highest of the 5 sisters)
NG97851669
Distance 0.85 km
Altitude 1067 m
7
Descend N to ridge then NNW to Sgurrr nan Saighead
NG97451778
Distance 1.27 km
Altitude 929 m
8
Head NW on ridge to Beinn Bhuidhe
NG96961816
Distance 0.66 km
Altitude 869 m
9
Follow broad ridge NW to col (440m)
NG95401887
Distance 1.75 km
Altitude 440 m
10
Descend SW to bridge
NG94741813
Distance 1.01 km
Altitude 7 m
11
Cross river and head SSW to A87 road
NG94661793
Distance 0.23 km
Altitude 10 m
12
Head SE (uphill) on road unless you can plan to park a second car here.
NG96291492
Distance 3.80 km
Altitude 27 m
13
Continue SE on road
NG98861301
Distance 3.39 km
Altitude 148 m
14
Continue ENE to car park
NH00881354
Distance 2.29 km
Altitude 195 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
Sgurr Fhuaran on the right, Sgurr na Carnach in the centre, the summit of Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe just visible on the distant left and Sgurr nan Spainteach and its easterly bumps in the foreground on the left.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 9 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Mike Watson
on 17 Sep 2007:
Even in the mist & rain this was a good route.
Path up to the bealach probably the worst part.
We didnt drop off down the glenshiel but continued down over a good stalkers path to the parking at the Jacobite restaurant where our car was (took a taxi to the start)
Written by
Peter Sinclair
on 03 Feb 2007:
A truly exhilarating route in a stunning part of Scotland - Do Not Miss It!!
NOTE
ON COMPLETING THE ROUTE ON THE 3RD FEBRUARY 2007 DISCOVERED THAT THE BRIDGE AT MAP REF.
NG94741813 HAD BEEN DAMAGED IN RECENT FLOODS AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO CROSS. WORTHWHILE CHECKING THE CONDITION OF BRIDGE BEFORE STARTING ROUTE
Written by
Sc Joss
on 01 Aug 2006:
Rather than doing the full ridge we did this route from the Bridge (marked Glen Sheil 1719 on map) straight up ridge on Sgurr na ciste Duibh to corrie, then onto the top. We came off Sgurr Fhuaran by the WNW ridge and cut across to Achnangat. This cuts the walk back to the car substantially although it would have been nice to go over Sgurr na Saighead.
Classic ridge, beautiful weather.
This route took about 7.5 hours (with 2 children, 9 and 11).
Written by
R K
on 16 Jun 2005:
To complete the 5 Sisters of Kintail from Beinn Bhuidhe, go north then north west along ridge and lesser path to Sgurr na Moraich, only another 100m cimb, and not much more distance. Walk off to NW and join path on north side of Allt a' Chruinn down to village of Alut a'chruin. You then have the problem of returning to transport 8 miles back along Glen Shiel. Good luck!
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.
