Corbett · Cluanie
Am Bathach
Am Bathach — 'the byre' — is the 798m Corbett at the eastern end of Loch Cluanie, looking south at the Cluanie Inn and the long ridge of South Glen Shiel Munros. The mountain is the smaller, lower partner of the Cluanie ridge — a short, sharp ascent that gives one of the most efficient summit-views-per-effort of any Corbett in the area. Often tacked onto a Cluanie Munro round as a quick afternoon top.
Quick facts
- Height
- 798.1m/ 2618ft
- Distance
- 7 km
- Ascent
- 530 m
- Time
- 2–3 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH073143
- Parking
- NH079117
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
forest path 25% · heather hillside 40% · grassy ridge 25% · summit area 10%
Park at the Cluanie Inn or the small layby just east on the A87 (NH079117). Walk along the road briefly and pick up the path heading north past the conifer plantation, climbing onto the broad south ridge of Am Bathach. A consistent climb across grass and rock outcrops brings you to the summit; the top is marked by a small cairn beside a rocky knob. Allow 3–4 hours.
Terrain
Faint path on the ascent through plantation, then open grass. The upper ridge is firmer with small rocky steps; the summit is a small cairn beside a rock outcrop. Short and uncomplicated — a useful Corbett day for poor-weather Cluanie visits.
In winter
A short and accessible winter Corbett near the Cluanie Inn. Snow holds on the upper ridge through January and February in most years. Cold easterlies funnel along Loch Cluanie. No avalanche concerns on the south ridge. A useful winter introduction Corbett with the Cluanie Inn for warming up afterwards.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 2m
- Edinburgh4h 31m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33
Mobile signal: No signal in upper Glen Affric area
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:36
- Sunset
- 22:01
- Civil dawn
- 03:34
- Civil dusk
- 23:03
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Am Bathach on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Am Bathach — common questions
- How hard is Am Bathach?
- Am Bathach is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 7km with 530m of ascent and takes most walkers 2-3 hours. Terrain: Faint path on the ascent through plantation, then open grass.
- Where do I park for Am Bathach?
- Standard parking is at NH079117 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Am Bathach?
- The standard good-weather months for Am Bathach are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Am Bathach?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Am Bathach?
- No signal in upper Glen Affric area
- Is Am Bathach safe in winter?
- A short and accessible winter Corbett near the Cluanie Inn. Snow holds on the upper ridge through January and February in most years. Cold easterlies funnel along Loch Cluanie. No avalanche concerns on the south ridge. A useful winter introduction Corbett with the Cluanie Inn for warming up afterwards.