What difficulty is Cnap Cruinn?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Cnap Cruinn comes in at 4/5 — challenging. Expect roughly 14km and 608m of ascent on the usual route — 4-7 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: Estate access track, then trackless tussock and short heather.

How much drop does Cnap Cruinn have?

The drop is 245m: measured from the summit of Cnap Cruinn down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Cnap Cruinn?

Park at NN349803. 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 Cnap Cruinn?

Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Cnap Cruinn. 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 Cnap Cruinn?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Steven Brown / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Glen Coe & Lochaber

Cnap Cruinn

A round knoll between Loch Treig and the upper Spean, looking south to the Easains and west toward the Grey Corries. The summit is a small rock rib at the end of a long heathery rib — pleasingly out of the way.

Quick facts

Height: 741.9m/ 2434ft
Prominence: 245 m
Distance: ~14 km
Ascent: ~608 m
Time: 4–7 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NN302774
Parking: NN349803
Nearest city: Fort William· 20km
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

moorland path 20% · bog and heather 50% · grassy upper slopes 20% · summit area 10%

14km · 608m ascent · 3.8 hrs

Take the West Highland Line to Tulloch Station or drive to the carpark there, then walk south-west on the access track past the Easains hostel before striking up the long open north-east ridge to the rib.

Terrain

Estate access track, then trackless tussock and short heather. The summit rib gives a moment of rocky interest in an otherwise grassy day.

In winter

The Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast covers this ground; the north-east flank holds windslab after westerlies. River crossings down low can become difficult after thaws given the bare ground catchment from the surrounding hills.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 28m
Edinburgh3h 59m

Parking: NN349803

OS maps: OS Landranger 41

Mobile signal: No signal in this remote Rannoch/Etive area

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:49
Sunset: 18:21
Civil dawn: 07:11
Civil dusk: 19:00

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Cnap Cruinn on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kinlochleven

West Highland Way stop under the Mamores

19km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery

Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics

18km 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.

Cnap Cruinn — common questions

What difficulty is Cnap Cruinn?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Cnap Cruinn comes in at 4/5 — challenging. Expect roughly 14km and 608m of ascent on the usual route — 4-7 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: Estate access track, then trackless tussock and short heather.
How much drop does Cnap Cruinn have?: The drop is 245m: measured from the summit of Cnap Cruinn down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Cnap Cruinn?: Park at NN349803. 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 Cnap Cruinn?: Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Cnap Cruinn. 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 Cnap Cruinn?: 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 Cnap Cruinn?: No signal in this remote Rannoch/Etive area
Is Cnap Cruinn safe in winter?: The Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast covers this ground; the north-east flank holds windslab after westerlies. River crossings down low can become difficult after thaws given the bare ground catchment from the surrounding hills.

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