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
1395 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
14.10 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 climb with a short easy scramble at the top of the first ascent.
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: Ballachulish
At Ballachulish, route starts from village school.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,395 metres. Allow 5.5 hours to complete this 14.10 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
Leave car in Ballachullish Village
NN07995800
Distance
Altitude 26 m
1
Follow road S past school and continue S on track
NN07905693
Distance 1.15 km
Altitude 105 m
2
Ascend WSW to climb NE ridge of Sgorr Bhan (easy scramble at top)
NN06275607
Distance 1.90 km
Altitude 947 m
3
Follow curved ridge SSW
NN06095580
Distance 0.36 km
Altitude 840 m
4
Continue W on ridge to summit of Sgorr Dhearg
NN05695583
Distance 0.37 km
Altitude 1024 m
5
Descend WSW to col (760m)
NN04785545
Distance 1.04 km
Altitude 760 m
6
Ascend W to summit of Sgorr Dhonuill
NN04035555
Distance 0.79 km
Altitude 1001 m
7
Return to 760m col
NN04785545
Distance 0.79 km
Altitude 760 m
8
Descend N into corrie. Follow river to find forest track
NN04665693
Distance 1.50 km
Altitude 295 m
9
Follow track SW turning N to junction
NN04425698
Distance 0.39 km
Altitude 260 m
10
Bear right (NE) and continue to next junction
NN04735754
Distance 0.71 km
Altitude 215 m
11
Again bear right (NNE) and continue on path
NN05545911
Distance 1.93 km
Altitude 108 m
12
Continue SE to junction with road
NN06605861
Distance 1.58 km
Altitude 12 m
13
Follow road E to return
NN07995800
Distance 1.60 km
Altitude 26 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 8 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
David Harbottle
on 03 Jul 2007:
Excellent, non-standard route up these two underrated peaks. The ascent of Sgorr Bhan is an exposed and loose scramble (but not hard). Ascend the true ridge of Sgorr Bhan until it becomes very defined, and your way appears to be barred by vertical rock steps... there is a horizontal (left) traverse here (good narrow path), traverse for 100metres and then make your way up and back right to the true ridge (loose and exposed in places). Be careful of dislodging rocks onto people below. Recommended.
Written by
Peter Lang
on 02 May 2006:
Alternative recommendation would be highlevel horseshoe circuit around corrie from west to east. took 8.5hrs 1st may 06 in cloud/snow but sun from Dhonuill onwards views superb on descent. Take track around shoulder Creag Ghorm to building edge trees, head uphill RHS burn to plateau, lots lumps bumps lochans as follow winding ridge to final easy angled pull to summit S. Dhonuill (5hrs)easy wee scramble to bealach and steady pull to S.Dhearg. Excellent descent of N ridge-final bit through felled area to meet track intersection back to car park. Superb day out - never met a soul!!
Written by
Rob Jeffries
on 30 Oct 2003:
A good route. The scrambling is pleasant and unthreatening, good rock even in the wet. I descended from the col west of Sgorr Dhonuill as per the previous reviewer. The track down is fairly obvious, although the scree is a bit messy in the initial gully.
Written by
Brian Howarth
on 31 May 2003:
Did this route in May 2003. Excellent scrambling on ascent of minor top (good in its own followed by excellent curving drop and rise to Sgorr Dhearg. A bit more easier scrambling on ascent of Sgorr Dhonuill after a short ridge with views on either side. Descended into Gleann a Ghaolais from beyond Sgorr Dhonuill. Path near northern edge drops into obvious gully. Short scree descent then on path through forest beside stream. Views to the north were excellent of Loch Linnhe and the Pap of Glencoe. Scramble, curving heigh level walk and (short) scree descent - something for everyone!
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.
