Corbett · North-West Highlands
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean — "the peak of the pedlars" — rises south of Glen Carron between Achnashellach and Achnasheen, joined to the Munro Moruisg by a high bealach. It was a Munro itself until a 2009 resurvey trimmed its height by 35 centimetres and dropped it into the Corbett list, an event that briefly made it a minor celebrity among the hill-bagging community. The summit sits on the edge of a small crag with a long drop into Coire Toll nam Bian and gives a striking view west toward the Achnashellach forest hills.
Quick facts
- Height
- 913.43m/ 2997ft
- Prominence
- 185 m
- Distance
- ~16 km
- Ascent
- ~803 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH087480
- Parking
- NH079520
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 58km
- 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
stalkers path 35% · corrie path 20% · steep east ridge 35% · summit top 10%
Park at the lay-by on the A890 by the bridge over the River Carron west of Glencarron Lodge and follow the path south up the Allt a Chonais glen. After around 4km a side path bears south-east into Coire Toll nam Bian, climbing gradually to the bealach below the east ridge of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean. From there a steep grass and rock pull gains the summit. Around 16km return with 803m of ascent. Many parties combine with Moruisg by traversing the long ridge between them.
Terrain
The Allt a Chonais path is firm and well drained for the first few kilometres but degrades to wet peat where it turns into the corrie. The bealach itself is a peat-hag basin in wet weather. The east ridge is steep grass with rocky steps and small bands of slabby outcrop — straightforward in dry conditions but slippery wet. The summit edge needs care; the drop into the eastern corrie is sudden.
In winter
In winter the east ridge collects west-facing snow and the cornice along the summit edge can be substantial after Atlantic storms — keep well back from the apparent rim. The Allt a Chonais path is generally clear at low levels but the bealach drifts up readily. With the road less than 200m above sea level, this is a relatively low-effort winter Corbett by Wester Ross standards, but conditions on the upper hill are full Highland.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 38m
- Edinburgh4h 2m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25
Mobile signal: No bars on the approach or top — Monar Forest interior blocks all coverage
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:19
- Sunset
- 20:23
- Civil dawn
- 05:38
- Civil dusk
- 21:05
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 August 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Sgurr nan Ceannaichean.
Around Sgurr nan Ceannaichean on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean — common questions
- How difficult is Sgurr nan Ceannaichean?
- Sgurr nan Ceannaichean carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 16km, 803m of ascent and a 6-9 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: The Allt a Chonais path is firm and well drained for the first few kilometres but degrades to wet peat where it turns into the corrie.
- What is Sgurr nan Ceannaichean's prominence?
- 185m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Sgurr nan Ceannaichean to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Sgurr nan Ceannaichean?
- Most walkers start from NH079520 near Ullapool. 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 nan Ceannaichean?
- May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Sgurr nan Ceannaichean. 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 nan Ceannaichean 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 nan Ceannaichean?
- No bars on the approach or top — Monar Forest interior blocks all coverage
- Is Sgurr nan Ceannaichean safe in winter?
- In winter the east ridge collects west-facing snow and the cornice along the summit edge can be substantial after Atlantic storms — keep well back from the apparent rim. The Allt a Chonais path is generally clear at low levels but the bealach drifts up readily. With the road less than 200m above sea level, this is a relatively low-effort winter Corbett by Wester Ross standards, but conditions on the upper hill are full Highland.
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