Corbett · Central Highlands
Faochaig
Faochaig is the 868m Corbett sitting west of Sguman Coinntich at the head of Glen Elchaig, near the bealach above the Falls of Glomach. The two hills form the natural Corbett pair of Glen Elchaig, climbed together by most parties on the same bike-in. The summit is small and rocky, with a low cairn beside an outcrop. The west-facing slopes drop dramatically toward the upper Glomach gorge — one of the deepest cleft in the Highlands.
Quick facts
- Height
- 868.9m/ 2851ft
- Distance
- 20 km
- Ascent
- 850 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH021317
- Parking
- NG937302
- Nearest
- Fort William· Inverness 66km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
glen track 30% · heather slope 40% · grassy ridge 20% · summit area 10%
Same start as Sguman Coinntich: Killilan road end (NG937302). Bike or walk Glen Elchaig east for around 6km, then climb south onto Faochaig's north flank. A steady ascent across grass and rough heather brings you to the summit ridge; the cairn sits beside a rock outcrop near the high point. For the pair, traverse east to Sguman Coinntich and descend back into Glen Elchaig. Allow 7–8 hours alone; 9–10 for the pair.
Terrain
Estate track on the long approach — quick on a bike. Beyond the track, the slope shifts into a mix of heather, grass and peat with a few rock outcrops on the upper section. The summit is small and rocky with a low cairn. The west side of the hill drops steeply toward the Falls of Glomach gorge; keep clear of the rim in cloud.
In winter
Winter access to Faochaig is constrained by the Killilan road conditions and bike-track icing in cold spells. Deep cover persists on the upper hill through the heart of winter. The standard north flank line carries no avalanche risk. The Falls of Glomach in full winter ice is a striking sight on the descent.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 23m
- Edinburgh4h 51m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25
Mobile signal: No reliable coverage along Glen Elchaig or on the approach from Killilan — the deep glen and surrounding ridges shadow all networks. Brief EE/Vodafone returns on the upper ridge with a line toward Loch Long. Treat the day as fully off-grid and carry paper maps.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:35
- Sunset
- 22:03
- Civil dawn
- 03:32
- Civil dusk
- 23:05
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Faochaig.
Around Faochaig on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Faochaig — common questions
- How hard is Faochaig?
- Faochaig is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 20km with 850m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: Estate track on the long approach — quick on a bike.
- Where do I park for Faochaig?
- Standard parking is at NG937302 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 Faochaig?
- The standard good-weather months for Faochaig are 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 Faochaig?
- 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 Faochaig?
- No reliable coverage along Glen Elchaig or on the approach from Killilan — the deep glen and surrounding ridges shadow all networks. Brief EE/Vodafone returns on the upper ridge with a line toward Loch Long. Treat the day as fully off-grid and carry paper maps.
- Is Faochaig safe in winter?
- Winter access to Faochaig is constrained by the Killilan road conditions and bike-track icing in cold spells. Deep cover persists on the upper hill through the heart of winter. The standard north flank line carries no avalanche risk. The Falls of Glomach in full winter ice is a striking sight on the descent.