Corbett · Ardgour
Sgurr Ghiubhsachain
Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain — 'peak of the pinewood' — is the 849m Corbett rising directly above the west shore of Loch Shiel, opposite the famous Glenfinnan Monument. The mountain is the steep wedge that closes off the view down the loch from the visitor centre, and looks particularly striking from the Glenfinnan Viaduct of Harry Potter fame. The name is no longer descriptive — most of the original Caledonian pine has gone — but the upper hill remains one of the most distinctive shapes in the western Highlands.
Quick facts
- Height
- 849m/ 2785ft
- Prominence
- 614 m
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 950 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM875751
- Parking
- NM906807
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 23km
- 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
glen path 20% · steep grass 40% · heather moorland 30% · summit ridge 10%
Park at the Glenfinnan NTS visitor centre (NM906807). Walk back south along the A861 briefly, then cross the head of Loch Shiel and pick up the path running along the west shore. After around 4km, leave the loch-side path and climb directly west onto the steep east flank of Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain. The route is sustained — grass and rock — to the broad summit cairn. Allow 7–8 hours.
Terrain
Loch-side path on the inward approach — pleasant but slow when wet underfoot. Above the loch shore the climb is steep, with grass interspersed with rock — pick lines around the larger crags. The summit area is broad with a wide-based cairn. The east flank is exposed and committing in poor visibility.
In winter
Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain in firm winter conditions is a serious snow ascent. The east face holds snow well and the loch-side path can ice up where it crosses small streams. Atlantic systems coming up Loch Shiel deliver soaking rain and gale-force wind. A challenging winter day with no easy escape.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 47m
- Edinburgh3h 17m
OS maps: OS Landranger 40
Mobile signal: No signal in this Loch Shiel/Glenfinnan area
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 Sgurr Ghiubhsachain.
Around Sgurr Ghiubhsachain 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
6km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
23km 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
25km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sgurr Ghiubhsachain — common questions
- How difficult is Sgurr Ghiubhsachain?
- Sgurr Ghiubhsachain carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 14km, 950m of ascent and a 4-7 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: Loch-side path on the inward approach — pleasant but slow when wet underfoot.
- What is Sgurr Ghiubhsachain's prominence?
- 614m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Sgurr Ghiubhsachain to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Sgurr Ghiubhsachain?
- Most walkers start from NM906807. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Sgurr Ghiubhsachain?
- May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Sgurr Ghiubhsachain. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Sgurr Ghiubhsachain dog-friendly?
- 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 Sgurr Ghiubhsachain?
- No signal in this Loch Shiel/Glenfinnan area
- Is Sgurr Ghiubhsachain safe in winter?
- Sgùrr Ghiubhsachain in firm winter conditions is a serious snow ascent. The east face holds snow well and the loch-side path can ice up where it crosses small streams. Atlantic systems coming up Loch Shiel deliver soaking rain and gale-force wind. A challenging winter day with no easy escape.
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