How difficult is Carn na Coinnich?

Carn na Coinnich carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 13km, 552m of ascent and a 4-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: Estate track through Scardroy woodland, then a long heathery climb on the south-east ridge with no formal path.

What is Carn na Coinnich's prominence?

265m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Carn na Coinnich to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Carn na Coinnich?

Most walkers start from NH277492. 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 Carn na Coinnich?

May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Carn na Coinnich. 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 Carn na Coinnich dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary

Photo: Andrew Spenceley / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · North-West Highlands

Carn na Coinnich

Carn na Coinnich (673m) — the meeting cairn — stands on the north side of Strathconon in the NH35 square, the trig pillar topping a broad moorland summit that looks east to the Black Isle and west toward the Munros of An Riabhachan. A natural pairing with Meall na Faochaig just to the west forms a fine long ridge day.

Quick facts

Height: 673.4m/ 2209ft
Prominence: 265 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~552 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NH324510
Parking: NH277492
Nearest city: Inverness· 35km
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

heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%

13km · 552m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Start from the public road end at Scardroy Lodge in upper Strathconon and follow the Allt na h-Eilrig track north. Once above the steepening, leave the path and climb the heathery south-east ridge directly. The trig appears suddenly on the broad summit dome after a long stretch of cropped grass and bilberry — the view east opens to the firths in clear conditions.

Terrain

Estate track through Scardroy woodland, then a long heathery climb on the south-east ridge with no formal path. The summit dome is firm underfoot — cropped grass and bilberry replace the heather above 600m. Easy walking but a long approach from the gate.

In winter

Strathconon hills hold patchy snow on east and north faces with the broad summit dome usually wind-scoured. Whiteout navigation on the featureless top is the chief winter hazard. The trig serves as a confidence-building waypoint but is easily walked past in cloud.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Carn na Coinnich. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow4h 36m
Edinburgh4h 51m

Parking: NH277492

OS maps: OS Landranger 26

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Loch Monar/Strathfarrar area; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 10mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:49
Sunset: 19:40
Civil dawn: 06:10
Civil dusk: 20:20

NOAA Solar Calculator · 15 September 2026

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Around Carn na Coinnich on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Dingwall station

Ben Wyvis approach; Easter Ross; junction for Kyle and Far North lines

24km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Inverness

Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North

35km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Glen Ord

Muir of Ord — Black Isle distillery; the Singleton range's Highland anchor

20km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Carn na Coinnich — common questions

How difficult is Carn na Coinnich?: Carn na Coinnich carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 13km, 552m of ascent and a 4-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: Estate track through Scardroy woodland, then a long heathery climb on the south-east ridge with no formal path.
What is Carn na Coinnich's prominence?: 265m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Carn na Coinnich to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Carn na Coinnich?: Most walkers start from NH277492. 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 Carn na Coinnich?: May, June, July, August, September give the most reliable conditions on Carn na Coinnich. 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 Carn na Coinnich 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 Carn na Coinnich?: Poor. Remote Loch Monar/Strathfarrar area; limited coverage.
Is Carn na Coinnich safe in winter?: Strathconon hills hold patchy snow on east and north faces with the broad summit dome usually wind-scoured. Whiteout navigation on the featureless top is the chief winter hazard. The trig serves as a confidence-building waypoint but is easily walked past in cloud.

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