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
- Prominence
- 187 m
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 820 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM895757
- Parking
- NM792688
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 21km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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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
- 04:48
- Sunset
- 22:07
- Civil dawn
- 03:48
- Civil dusk
- 23:08
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 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?
- We grade Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 14km with 820m of climbing; allow 4-6 hours. Ground conditions: Forestry track on the initial approach.
- How much drop does Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn have?
- The drop is 187m: measured from the summit of Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn?
- Park at NM792688. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone 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.
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