Aonach Air Chrith, Druim Shionnach, Maol Chinn-dearg and Creag a' Mhaim Route Information

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Aonach Air Chrith, Druim Shionnach, Maol Chinn-dearg & Creag a' Mhaim

Quick Facts

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

1605 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

22.01 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.

OS Landranger Maps Required

33	Loch Alsh, Glen Shiel & Loch Hourn

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A brief summary of this route.

Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.

Notes

This long route is the east section of the South Glen Shiel Ridge. The traverse of the whole ridge is a considerable undertaking so it is described in two parts.

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 18km to Loch Cluanie dam.

Route Waypoint Map

The total ascent is 1,605 metres. Allow 7.5 hours to complete this 22.01 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 at Cluanie Inn on A87
		NH07881175	Distance	Altitude 230 m

1	Head SSW across bridge
		NH07731120	Distance 0.56 km	Altitude 240 m

2	Follow track ESE towards Cluanie Lodge
		NH09291047	Distance 1.80 km	Altitude 300 m

3	Bear S on track
		NH09290942	Distance 1.10 km	Altitude 364 m

4	Continue SSE on track
		NH09970906	Distance 0.81 km	Altitude 390 m

5	Follow track S to junction
		NH10120720	Distance 2.12 km	Altitude 400 m

6	Take path and head SW
		NH09840691	Distance 0.47 km	Altitude 450 m

7	Ascend NW to summit of Creag a' Mhaim
		NH08790778	Distance 1.66 km	Altitude 947 m

8	Head NW onto ridge
		NH08190819	Distance 0.74 km	Altitude 825 m

9	Continue NW on curving ridge to summit of Druim Shionnach
		NH07420850	Distance 0.84 km	Altitude 987 m

10	Descend WSW
		NH07070844	Distance 0.36 km	Altitude 923 m

11	Descend W on ridge to minor top 938m
		NH06290821	Distance 0.87 km	Altitude 938 m

12	Continue WSW on ridge
		NH05400807	Distance 0.91 km	Altitude 880 m

13	Ascend NW to summit of Aonach air Chrith
		NH05100834	Distance 0.40 km	Altitude 1021 m

14	Descend SW onto Ridge
		NH04740822	Distance 0.39 km	Altitude 906 m

15	Continue on ridge heading WNW
		NH03370855	Distance 1.46 km	Altitude 855 m

16	Ascend NW to summit of Maol Chinn-dearg
		NH03240878	Distance 0.26 km	Altitude 981 m

17	Descend NE towards Druim Coire nan Eirecheanach
		NH03790942	Distance 0.87 km	Altitude 726 m

18	Continue descending SE along ridge
		NH04271023	Distance 0.95 km	Altitude 570 m

19	Descend NNE on winding path to road
		NH04441143	Distance 1.85 km	Altitude 250 m

20	Return E to Cluanie Inn for refreshments
		NH07881175	Distance 3.60 km	Altitude 230 m

A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.

Weather

North West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format)

West Highlands
by Met Office

Ladhar Bheinn
by Metcheck

Images of Aonach Air Chrith, Druim Shionnach, Maol Chinn-dearg & Creag a' Mhaim

The view west from near the summit of Aonach air Chrith, with the main ridge continuing to Maol Chinnn-dearg on right, and Sgurr a' Mhaoraich across Wester Glen Quoich on left.

© David S Brown

Image by David S Brown

Nearing the summit of Aonach Air Chrith.

© Bob Walls

Image by Bob Walls

Creag a' Mhaim Easter Sunday 2010

© john wells

Image by john wells

Looking up Aonach air Chrith's west ridge, the only really scrambly bit of the South Glen Shiel ridge.

© David S Brown

Image by David S Brown

Route Area Map

Legend

Munro

Corbett

Graham

English/Welsh Top

Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

Where to Stay

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sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

Rating & Reviews

Rating & Reviews

Rated:

from 10 votes

Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating

Written by John Gilchrist on 11 Jul 2009:

The approach to the start of the ascent of Creag a Mhaim seems interminable - and I saw a number of folks strike off too early and struggle direct up the east face. Stick with it though - the stalkers path up the south east flank is a delight. Watch out for/enjoy some airy scrambling as you descend from Aonoch air Crith towards Maol Chinn Dearg. Not a little exposure and some pretty loose holds make for an exciting 20 minutes!

Written by Craig Dunderdale on 11 Mar 2007:

I did the whole ridge on a clear day on 9th October 2006 with my mate Phil Brown in 8hrs. We started at the Cluanie Inn (they only drop off if ur staying there!) and walked out via the North East ridge of Creag nan Damh. A taxi from the village to the Cluanie dropping your car off at the Glenshiel memorial may be your best option, if you don't want to take your chances with thumbing or the bus timetable. Graham Ellis route is a good way onto the ridge easily marked path. Without a doubt one of the best days I've ever had on Munros!

Written by Graham Ellis on 27 Aug 2006:

The Cluanie Inn offers a car relocation service (at a charge) to allow you to leave your car at the end of the route. It would also be feasible to walk west to east and bike back downhill from Cluanie. I did the whole ridge, as although it is a long day, once you are up there then why not continue? It is not necessary to follow the track so far at the start. There is an obvious path up Creag a' Mhaim from NH09280943.

Written by Donald Cameron on 20 May 2005:

Climbed with some dobbers from ETAP oil platform. Good day out in cack weather!

Written by Fiona Masson on 08 Oct 2004:

Husband and I did the whole ridge in July. Rain/low cloud till we reach top of Creag a' Mhaim then sunshine/views/heat. The answer to why people go walking!!. Easy walking and one I will definitely remember. Great feeling once done. Only problem we found was we ended up coming down through craggy area of Creag nan Damh which was quite hard going until we got onto path, our mistake but easily done. ENJOY

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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