How hard is Meall Onfhaidh?

We grade Meall Onfhaidh at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 557m of climbing; allow 4-6 hours. Ground conditions: Forest road then plantation edge to access the open hill, with windthrow and deep brash at the treeline often forcing a detour.

How much drop does Meall Onfhaidh have?

The drop is 297m: measured from the summit of Meall Onfhaidh down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Meall Onfhaidh?

Park at NN018849. 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 Meall Onfhaidh?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Meall Onfhaidh. 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 Meall Onfhaidh?

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

Meall Onfhaidh

Meall Onfhaidh (679m) lies above the south shore of Loch Arkaig in NN08, a quiet Lochaber Graham whose name carries the sense of storm or commotion — apt for an exposed top often the first to catch westerly squalls running up the loch. From the summit rock the eye runs over Loch Arkaig to the Knoydart Munros and south to the bulk of Gulvain.

Quick facts

Height: 679.3m/ 2229ft
Prominence: 297 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~557 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NN010840
Parking: NN018849
Nearest city: Fort William· 14km
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 · 557m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Park at the Eas Chia-aig falls car park beside Loch Arkaig. Follow the forest road up Gleann Cia-aig for around 3km, then break off west on a clearing line through plantation onto open hillside near 350m. Climb the east shoulder on heather and bilberry to gain the broad summit ridge, with the top marked by a small rock perched above the southern crag.

Terrain

Forest road then plantation edge to access the open hill, with windthrow and deep brash at the treeline often forcing a detour. Above the forest, heather and grass cover the east shoulder cleanly. The summit crest is broad and unhurried with a small drop on the south side.

In winter

Loch Arkaig sees serious snowfall in west-coast cold spells and the south face of Meall Onfhaidh holds drifted snow into April. Cornicing on the south-facing crag is the main hazard.

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

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Meall Onfhaidh. 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 West 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

Glasgow3h 48m
Edinburgh3h 12m

Parking: NN018849

OS maps: OS Landranger 41

Mobile signal: Weak. Remote Strathconon; thin on most networks.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:51
Sunset: 18:23
Civil dawn: 07:13
Civil dusk: 19:02

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Meall Onfhaidh on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Glenfinnan station

Glenfinnan Viaduct; Streap, Sgurr Thuilm, Glen Finnan Munros

11km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Fort William

Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber

14km 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

14km 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.

Meall Onfhaidh — common questions

How hard is Meall Onfhaidh?: We grade Meall Onfhaidh at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 557m of climbing; allow 4-6 hours. Ground conditions: Forest road then plantation edge to access the open hill, with windthrow and deep brash at the treeline often forcing a detour.
How much drop does Meall Onfhaidh have?: The drop is 297m: measured from the summit of Meall Onfhaidh down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Meall Onfhaidh?: Park at NN018849. 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 Meall Onfhaidh?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Meall Onfhaidh. 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 Meall Onfhaidh?: 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 Meall Onfhaidh?: Weak. Remote Strathconon; thin on most networks.
Is Meall Onfhaidh safe in winter?: Loch Arkaig sees serious snowfall in west-coast cold spells and the south face of Meall Onfhaidh holds drifted snow into April. Cornicing on the south-facing crag is the main hazard.

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