How hard is Cruachan Charna?

We grade Cruachan Charna at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Open island moor of heather, bracken and exposed rock with no path.

How prominent is Cruachan Charna?

Cruachan Charna's prominence is its full height — 170m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

When should I climb Cruachan Charna?

The standard good-weather months for Cruachan Charna 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 Cruachan Charna?

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

By Gary

Photo: Mark Goddard / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Glen Coe & Lochaber

Cruachan Charna

Cruachan Charna is the high point of Carna, a small uninhabited island lying in Loch Sunart. At just 170m it ranks among Scotland's most logistically interesting Marilyns — you need a boat to reach it.

Quick facts

Height: 170m/ 558ft
Prominence: 170 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NM 61832 58973
Nearest city: Oban· 37km
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 and bog 60% · rocky slopes 25% · coastal grass 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Reach Carna by private charter or kayak from Glenborrodale or the Morvern shore, landing on the south-east beach. From there it is a short heathery climb of about an hour return, but plan the tides and weather window before committing.

Terrain

Open island moor of heather, bracken and exposed rock with no path. Coastal grass on the landing ground. The ascent itself is short but the sea crossing dominates the day.

In winter

Winter rarely brings snow at this height but Atlantic storms can strand visitors on the island. Choose a settled forecast and confirm pickup before crossing.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Cruachan Charna. 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

Glasgow5h 43m
Edinburgh7h 13m

OS maps: OS Landranger 49, OS Explorer 383W

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Morvern/Ardnamurchan coast; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 11mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:52
Sunset: 19:47
Civil dawn: 06:14
Civil dusk: 20:25

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Cruachan Charna on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Morar station

Silver Sands, Knoydart approach, Loch Morar

33km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Tobermory

Mull base — Ben More, Treshnish, ferry to Iona

12km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Tobermory

Mull — colourful harbour-front distillery making both unpeated and peated (Ledaig) whisky

12km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Cruachan Charna — common questions

How hard is Cruachan Charna?: We grade Cruachan Charna at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Open island moor of heather, bracken and exposed rock with no path.
How prominent is Cruachan Charna?: Cruachan Charna's prominence is its full height — 170m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
When should I climb Cruachan Charna?: The standard good-weather months for Cruachan Charna 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 Cruachan Charna?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Cruachan Charna?: Poor. Remote Morvern/Ardnamurchan coast; limited coverage.
Is Cruachan Charna safe in winter?: Winter rarely brings snow at this height but Atlantic storms can strand visitors on the island. Choose a settled forecast and confirm pickup before crossing.

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