How hard is Stob na Cruaiche?

Stob na Cruaiche is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 607m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Peat, peat and more peat.

Where do I park for Stob na Cruaiche?

Standard parking is at NN313572 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Stob na Cruaiche?

The standard good-weather months for Stob na Cruaiche are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Stob na Cruaiche?

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

How hard is Stob na Cruaiche?

Stob na Cruaiche is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 607m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Peat, peat and more peat.

Where do I park for Stob na Cruaiche?

Standard parking is at NN313572 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Stob na Cruaiche?

The standard good-weather months for Stob na Cruaiche are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Stob na Cruaiche?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: wrobison / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

Submit a photo

Graham · Glen Coe & Lochaber

Stob na Cruaiche

A broad peat-mantled Graham on the south side of Rannoch Moor, looking out over Loch Laidon and the Black Mount. From the Glen Coe road it is barely noticed, but the summit gives one of the strangest views in Scotland — a vast bog horizon punctuated by lochans.

Quick facts

Height: 740m/ 2428ft
Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 607 m
Time: 4–7 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NN363571
Parking: NN313572
Nearest city: Fort William
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

No GPX track yet

Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.

Submit your GPX

Standard route

peninsula path 20% · heather hillside 50% · grassy upper slopes 20% · summit area 10%

14km · 607m ascent · 3.8 hrs

Start from the layby just east of Loch Ba on the A82. Cross the moor southwards on faint argocat tracks, picking a line round the worst of the peat hags toward the broad north ridge. The final pull onto the summit plateau is gentle but featureless.

Terrain

Peat, peat and more peat. Even in dry summers the moor holds water and the hags can be waist-deep. Once on the upper plateau the going eases to short heather and moss.

In winter

A serious navigation hill in winter — the featureless plateau and complete absence of shelter make whiteout conditions genuinely disorienting. Frozen bog can actually make the approach faster than in summer.

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

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 1m
Edinburgh3h 36m

Parking: NN313572

OS maps: OS Landranger 41

Mobile signal: No signal on Rannoch Moor; intermittent reception near Loch Ba

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 17mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:37
Sunset: 21:55
Civil dawn: 03:38
Civil dusk: 22:55

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

Got a photo of Stob na Cruaiche?

30 seconds, helps other walkers.

Submit a photo

Walked it with a GPX?

From your watch or phone.

Submit GPX

Trip report?

Share what it was actually like.

Get in touch →

Around Stob na Cruaiche on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Rannoch station

Rannoch Moor — remote West Highland Line stop; Schiehallion approach via bus

5km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Fort William

Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber

31km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Stob na Cruaiche — common questions

How hard is Stob na Cruaiche?: Stob na Cruaiche is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 607m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Peat, peat and more peat.
Where do I park for Stob na Cruaiche?: Standard parking is at NN313572 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Stob na Cruaiche?: The standard good-weather months for Stob na Cruaiche are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Stob na Cruaiche?: 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 Stob na Cruaiche?: No signal on Rannoch Moor; intermittent reception near Loch Ba
Is Stob na Cruaiche safe in winter?: A serious navigation hill in winter — the featureless plateau and complete absence of shelter make whiteout conditions genuinely disorienting. Frozen bog can actually make the approach faster than in summer.