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Ciste Dhubh

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
979 m (3211 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NH06201665
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
173 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Black chest
 

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.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  33   Loch Alsh, Glen Shiel & Loch Hourn
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Ciste Dhubh lies within a group of Munros to the N of Loch Cluanie in Glen Shiel and is a craggy mountain with many steep and difficult slopes.

To the N of the summit are a number of short steep ridges (SW, N, NE and E) but only the longer S ridge to An Cnapach (877m) is normally used for ascent.

Normal routes are on the S face of An Cnapach from Bealach a' Choinich or from the path in An Caorann Mor up the E face to the S ridge.

Hazards you may encounter on Ciste Dhubh include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Ciste Dhubh

Ciste Dubh from the west ridge of Aonach Meadhoin.

© Tom Gradwell
Image by Tom Gradwell

The trackless Bealach a' Choinich seen from the descent of Am Bathach, with the slopes of Ciste Dhubh on right. The ascent track for Ciste Dhubh can be picked up where it runs immediately this side of the prominent and only bit of crag.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Ciste Dhubh Summit from the South Ridge.

© Peter Chisholm
Image by Peter Chisholm

Ciste Dubh from ridge en-route to Aonach Mheadhoin on 18th august 2008

© Dougie Mccoll
Image by Dougie Mccoll
View All 29 Images for Ciste Dhubh

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
North West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Ladhar Bheinn
by Metcheck
Ciste Dhubh Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

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

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Ciste Dhubh.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Ciste Dhubh
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1875 m 12.61 km 6 hrs Ciste Dhubh and Am Bathach  Easy ascent and ridge walk to rocky top.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Ciste Dhubh

  Baggers Gallery for Ciste Dhubh

Peace on Ciste Dhubh summit !

© Andrew Jackson
Image by Andrew Jackson

Karl and myself on summit,(27.3.10).

© Mark Thomson
Image by Mark Thomson

Me at the top of Ciste Dhubh

© chris mackinnon
Image by chris mackinnon

Ciste Dhubh, 4th munro of an absolutely superb day out. 7th June 09

© Colin Fridge
Image by Colin Fridge
View All 9 Baggers Images for Ciste Dhubh
The logging section stores any entries for Ciste Dhubh in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
Alister Richmond on 09 Jan 2024
Julie Richmond on 09 Jan 2024
Ian Scott on 19 Oct 2023
Archie Mcwatt on 25 Jun 2023
Neil Woodhead on 01 May 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Am Bathach and Ciste Dhubh
by Alasdair Cairns
Ciste Dhubh
by Neil Cuthbert
Ciste Dhubh
by Philip McLoone
Ciste Dhubh
by Kenny Mcneill
Am Bathach and Ciste Dhubh
by Brian Howarth

Post a few words about Ciste Dhubh or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Gus Stewart
wrote on
May 17, 2010
This Munro should only be climbed via Am Bathach which in itself is a very pleasant walk. The alternative route at lower lever is very boggy and is best avoided. The extra effort required scaling Am Bathach " out and in " is well worth while and the views of The Shiel Ridge and its 7 peaks are spectacular.
Craig Dunderdale
wrote on
May 5, 2007
The ridge up to Ciste Dhubh was better than I thought it would be, as can be seen from my photo. Personally you may as well do all 4 in one outing as walk this far and do 1. If you want to do all 4 but can't get a lift to the East end, how about biking in from Morvich to Glenlicht House.
Victor Young
wrote on
January 4, 2005
This is not a "cool" munro to do because it is difficult to link up with "5" others to make a good days bagging and it has along walk in ! But its really great if you go via the green grassy slopes of Am Bathach straight off the A87 which is "almost" a Munro itself. The day we did it (Sept 2003) it was howling a gale and we ended up simply lying face down near the top of Am Bathach spread-eagled laughing at the shape of each others face in the wind ! But it is one lovely mountain and I climbed with too much whisky perhaps from the night before and the fear that Yvonne would and I wouldn't
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
There are no Route Write-Ups submitted for Ciste Dhubh
 
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