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
1622 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
22.70 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
Strenuous route over some rough terrain and unbridged river to cross.
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: Spean Bridge
From Spean Bridge (A82) travel N 1.5km (to Commando Memorial), then take the B8004 W 4km to Gairlochy. Turn N on the B8005 to Loch Arkaig and then on minor road W to Strathan at the head of Loch Arkaig.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,622 metres. Allow 7.5 hours to complete this 22.70 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 Strathan at the west end of Loch Arkaig
NM98779158
Distance
Altitude 75 m
1
Head W thorough barrack ruins towards junction
NM98099150
Distance 0.74 km
Altitude 75 m
2
Follow track NW to crossing of Allt na Feithe near Glendessary House
NM96819258
Distance 1.06 km
Altitude 90 m
3
Bear NNE on path on W of Allt na Feithe to the highest point of the bealach (365m)
NM97549501
Distance 2.75 km
Altitude 365 m
4
Follow 350m contour W around Sron an Tigh Mhoir
NM97109573
Distance 0.86 km
Altitude 350 m
5
Continue NW and cross stream to reach path in Glen Kingie
NM95589606
Distance 1.83 km
Altitude 400 m
6
Continue on path W to base of ridge
NM95039594
Distance 0.89 km
Altitude 497 m
7
Ascend NE on ridge to the summit of Sgurr Beag
NM95899711
Distance 1.34 km
Altitude 890 m
8
Continue NE on Path to summit of Sgurr Mor
NM96539805
Distance 1.23 km
Altitude 1003 m
9
Bear E on Ridge and descend SE to col
NM97529760
Distance 1.18 km
Altitude 714 m
10
Ascend ENE on ridge to summit of Sgurr an Fuarain
NM98769798
Distance 1.34 km
Altitude 901 m
11
Return WSW to 714m col.
NM97529760
Distance 1.34 km
Altitude 714 m
12
Descend SW turning S to rejoin path in Glen Kingie
NM96659628
Distance 1.83 km
Altitude 290 m
13
Return ESE around Sron an Tigh Mhoir to rejoin approach route and return to Strathan
NM98779158
Distance 6.32 km
Altitude 73 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
David Harbottle
on 18 Feb 2008:
This route has got to be the best way to do this hill. It's a rough/tough day though. I had reasonably dry weather, but I don't think the river crossing would be a problem if in spate as it would be a relatively minor diversion to cross the Kingie higher up the glen.
Written by
Craig Dunderdale
on 22 Jun 2006:
This took 6hrs and 1400m ascent. The valley drive in takes 45mins and out! Bike to Glendessary. Rain No views. Fairly obvious path and you can descend south earlier than Mc Neish indicates down reasonable grass slopes. If I'd read Julian's review earlier I'd have done this with the Sgurr na Ciche 3 if only to save another 1.5hrs of driving in and out.
Written by
R K
on 30 Sep 2004:
I did this route yesterday, although I would not recommend a descent due south from Sgurr Mor, the 1:50k map does not really show the upper corrie or crags, better the descent as previous poster did - down east to the bealach at about 700m. This is a wet route from leaving the Lodge until on the upper parts of Sgurr Mor, quite boggy in bits. I did it in 6 hours with little stopping (nothing to see!), however I do agree the ascent is in the region of 1500m - there's another 200m to climb back from Glen Kingie to the pass over to Glendessary Lodge.
Written by
Ray Humphreys
on 12 Nov 2003:
A big day out but enjoyable. Did a slight variation by continuing east off summit of Sgurr Mor to bealach and then down steep grassy slopes to Glen Kingie. This gives a more aesthetically pleasing traverse of the summit. Fabulous and very memorable views once you get to the top of the stalkers path under Sgurr Beag. I think 6.5 hours is a very optimistic time even for very fit walkers, would expect 8 to 8.5 hours to be more usual. I also think the height ascended is nearer to 1500 than 1200 metres
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.
