Corbett · Ardgour
Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn
Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn — 'the rowan tree peak' — is the 775m Corbett at the head of Coire an Iubhair in central Ardgour, north of Strontian. The summit sits at the junction of two ridges and gives a striking position between the Sunart Corbetts to the south and the Garbh Bheinn group to the north. Most parties tackle it from the Polloch road or alongside Beinn na h-Uamha for the central Ardgour double — both hills share the same forestry-and-open-hill character.
Quick facts
- Height
- 775m/ 2543ft
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 820 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM895757
- Parking
- NM792688
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
ferry approach 10% · heather hillside 50% · grassy ridge 30% · summit area 10%
Approach from the Polloch road end (NM792688). A forestry track heads east into Coire an Iubhair, where the path turns north-east onto open hillside and climbs onto the broad south ridge of Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn. The summit is reached after a steady pull over heather and rock outcrops. For the natural pairing, descend south-east to the bealach and re-climb Beinn na h-Uamha. Allow 6 hours for Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn alone.
Terrain
Forestry track on the initial approach. Above the trees the hillside is heather and grass with small rocky steps on the upper section. The summit cone is rocky and crowned by a low cairn sitting on a small outcrop. The ridge to Beinn na h-Uamha is grassy with a defined col.
In winter
Maritime west-coast hill with intermittent winter snow. When cover does establish, the upper rocky steps ice up readily. The Polloch road can drift in heavy weather; the forestry section gives reliable shelter on stormy days. Pair with Beinn na h-Uamha for a tidy Ardgour winter round.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 46m
- Edinburgh3h 16m
OS maps: OS Landranger 40
Mobile signal: No usable signal in Coire an Iubhair or on the summit — central Ardgour is a recognised blackspot
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:39
- Sunset
- 22:00
- Civil dawn
- 03:39
- Civil dusk
- 23:00
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn.
Around Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn 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
5km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
21km 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
23km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn — common questions
- How hard is Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn?
- Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 820m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Forestry track on the initial approach.
- Where do I park for Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn?
- Standard parking is at NM792688 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 Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn?
- The standard good-weather months for Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn 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 Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn?
- 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 Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn?
- No usable signal in Coire an Iubhair or on the summit — central Ardgour is a recognised blackspot
- Is Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn safe in winter?
- Maritime west-coast hill with intermittent winter snow. When cover does establish, the upper rocky steps ice up readily. The Polloch road can drift in heavy weather; the forestry section gives reliable shelter on stormy days. Pair with Beinn na h-Uamha for a tidy Ardgour winter round.