Is Stob na Cruaiche a hard climb?

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.

How prominent is Stob na Cruaiche?

Stob na Cruaiche has 351m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Stob na Cruaiche?

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

When should I 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?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary

Photo: wrobison / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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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
Prominence: 351 m
Distance: ~14 km
Ascent: ~607 m
Time: 4–7 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NN363571
Parking: NN313572
Nearest city: Fort William· 31km
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

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.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Stob na Cruaiche. 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

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

15h 22mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:19
Sunset: 20:19
Civil dawn: 05:38
Civil dusk: 21:00

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 August 2026

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Around Stob na Cruaiche 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

18km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Stob na Cruaiche — common questions

Is Stob na Cruaiche a hard climb?: 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.
How prominent is Stob na Cruaiche?: Stob na Cruaiche has 351m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Stob na Cruaiche?: Standard parking is at NN313572. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I 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?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like 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.

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