Graham · Central Highlands
Leana Mhor
Leana Mhor (676m) — the big wet meadow — is a sprawling moorland hump above Glen Spean in NN31, set back from the Tulloch road and overlooking the western end of Loch Treig. The name is wholly accurate: this is one of the wettest pieces of ground in the central Highlands, with bog and lochan covering most of the long approach.
Gaelic: “big” · Pronunciation: leana vore
Quick facts
- Height
- 676.8m/ 2220ft
- Prominence
- 158 m
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 554 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN316879
- Parking
- NN323872
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 25km
- 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
blanket bog 60% · heather moorland 30% · grassy summit 10%
Park at the cattle grid east of Inverlair on the A86 and follow the rough estate track south toward Loch a' Bhealaich Leamhain. Cross the watershed and gain the broad north spur of Leana Mhor on tussock and bog. A long, flat slog leads to the small summit cairn, set on a low rise above the surrounding peat hags.
Terrain
Wet sphagnum, deep peat hags and standing water dominate the approach — gaiters or rubber boots are not optional. The summit dome itself dries out a little onto firm grass. No path of any kind across the open moor.
In winter
Hard frost transforms Leana Mhor — the bog freezes solid and the approach becomes quick and pleasant. In milder spells the wet ground stays unfrozen even when the upper slopes carry drifted snow. Wind chill from westerlies running up Glen Spean is the consistent winter feature.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 40m
- Edinburgh3h 8m
OS maps: OS Landranger 34, OS Landranger 41
Mobile signal: Weak. Remote Loch Rannoch area; thin on most networks.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:44
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:43
- Civil dusk
- 23:06
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Around Leana Mhor on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Roy Bridge station
Glen Roy; Grey Corries (Stob Choire Claurigh, Sgurr Choinnich Mor)
8km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
25km 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
Leana Mhor — common questions
- How hard is Leana Mhor?
- We grade Leana Mhor at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 554m of climbing; allow 4-6 hours. Terrain: Wet sphagnum, deep peat hags and standing water dominate the approach — gaiters or rubber boots are not optional.
- How prominent is Leana Mhor?
- Leana Mhor has 158m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Leana Mhor?
- Standard parking is at NN323872. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Leana Mhor?
- The standard good-weather months for Leana Mhor are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Leana Mhor?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Leana Mhor?
- Weak. Remote Loch Rannoch area; thin on most networks.
- Is Leana Mhor safe in winter?
- Hard frost transforms Leana Mhor — the bog freezes solid and the approach becomes quick and pleasant. In milder spells the wet ground stays unfrozen even when the upper slopes carry drifted snow. Wind chill from westerlies running up Glen Spean is the consistent winter feature.
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