Corbett · Moidart
Carn na Nathrach
Carn na Nathrach — "cairn of the serpent" — is a quiet 786m Corbett deep in the Ardgour hills, between Glen Hurich and Glen Scaddle. A 382m prominence and remote setting in a corner of Lochaber rarely visited by hill-walkers gives the hill genuine solitude. The summit is a small cairn on a rocky top with views west into the Sunart and Moidart peninsulas and east across Loch Linnhe to the busier hills of mainland Lochaber.
Quick facts
- Height
- 786m/ 2579ft
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 645 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM886698
- Parking
- NM832638
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
forestry track 40% · rough heather 30% · grassy ridge 20% · rocky top 10%
Start from the small road end at Sallachan on the A861 west of the Corran ferry, and walk in along the long forestry track up Glen Hurich for around 6km. Where the track ends near Resourie, pull up pathless heather to the south, gaining the broad north ridge of Carn na Nathrach. Around 14km return with 645m of ascent. Sometimes combined with the higher Corbett Sgurr Dhomhnuill for a long Ardgour day, though that involves significant re-ascent.
Terrain
The Glen Hurich forestry track is firm and clear. Beyond it the slopes are rough heather and bracken — pathless, slow going on the lower flanks. The broad north ridge above is short heather and grass with scattered crag bands easily avoided on the east side. The summit area is a compact rocky top. No exposure on the standard line.
In winter
A serious-feeling remote winter day rather than a technically challenging one. The Glen Hurich track gives some shelter on the approach; the open ridge is exposed to full Atlantic weather. No avalanche slopes on the standard line. The A861 around the Corran peninsula is generally clear; the Corran ferry can be cancelled in storms.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 41m
- Edinburgh3h 13m
OS maps: OS Landranger 40
Mobile signal: No signal in interior Ardgour; intermittent at Sallachan
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:40
- Sunset
- 21:59
- Civil dawn
- 03:40
- Civil dusk
- 22:59
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Carn na Nathrach on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Glenfinnan station
Glenfinnan Viaduct; Streap, Sgurr Thuilm, Glen Finnan Munros
11km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
22km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
24km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn na Nathrach — common questions
- How hard is Carn na Nathrach?
- Carn na Nathrach is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 645m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: The Glen Hurich forestry track is firm and clear.
- Where do I park for Carn na Nathrach?
- Standard parking is at NM832638 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 Carn na Nathrach?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn na Nathrach are May, June, July, August, September. 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 Carn na Nathrach?
- 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 Carn na Nathrach?
- No signal in interior Ardgour; intermittent at Sallachan
- Is Carn na Nathrach safe in winter?
- A serious-feeling remote winter day rather than a technically challenging one. The Glen Hurich track gives some shelter on the approach; the open ridge is exposed to full Atlantic weather. No avalanche slopes on the standard line. The A861 around the Corran peninsula is generally clear; the Corran ferry can be cancelled in storms.