How hard is Creag Mhor?

We grade Creag Mhor at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Estate track for the first stretch, then deep heather over hidden boulders.

How prominent is Creag Mhor?

Creag Mhor has 158m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

When should I climb Creag Mhor?

The standard good-weather months for Creag Mhor are March, 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 Creag Mhor?

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

By Gary

Photo: Dave Fergusson / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Kintail

Creag Mhor

This Creag Mhor reaches 407m at NG 903 315 above Glen Udalain, between Stromeferry and the head of Loch Long. A common name in Gaelic — big crag — but this particular hill stands distinct on its small craggy plateau north of the Achmore road.

Gaelic: “crag, big” · Pronunciation: krayg vore

Quick facts

Height: 407m/ 1335ft
Prominence: 158 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NG 90308 31590
Nearest city: Inverness· 77km
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 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Park near the cottages at Braeintra and follow the rough track east up Allt nan Iongnan, then turn south onto the open hillside to reach the rocky summit. About 3 hours for the round.

Terrain

Estate track for the first stretch, then deep heather over hidden boulders. Lewisian gneiss crops out as low knolls and slabs across the upper hillside; route-finding is by eye between them.

In winter

A maritime hill where snow seldom lingers more than a few days. The gneiss slabs become greasy when wet or freezing, and a few short rocky steps are the only places you might want extra grip.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Creag Mhor. 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 The Northwest 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

Glasgow5h 57m
Edinburgh7h 55m

OS maps: OS Landranger 25, OS Explorer 428S, OS Explorer 429

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Highland hill; EE and Vodafone both absent on this summit.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 14mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:50
Sunset: 19:46
Civil dawn: 06:11
Civil dusk: 20:25

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Creag Mhor on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Plockton station

Coastal Wester Ross; Plockton village; Skye Bridge approach

9km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Applecross

Bealach na Bà and the Applecross peninsula

23km from the hill

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Creag Mhor — common questions

How hard is Creag Mhor?: We grade Creag Mhor at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Estate track for the first stretch, then deep heather over hidden boulders.
How prominent is Creag Mhor?: Creag Mhor has 158m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
When should I climb Creag Mhor?: The standard good-weather months for Creag Mhor are March, 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 Creag Mhor?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Creag Mhor?: Poor. Remote Highland hill; EE and Vodafone both absent on this summit.
Is Creag Mhor safe in winter?: A maritime hill where snow seldom lingers more than a few days. The gneiss slabs become greasy when wet or freezing, and a few short rocky steps are the only places you might want extra grip.

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