Munro · Kintail
An Socach
An Socach (920m) — "the snout" — is the western Munro of the long Affric ridge from A' Chralaig, set deep in the country between Loch Cluanie and Glen Affric. The summit is a small rocky cairn perched at the western tip of an undulating high-level ridge. Often combined with A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire on a long Cluanie day.
Quick facts
- Height
- 919.7m/ 3017ft
- Prominence
- 124 m
- Grid ref
- NH088229
- Parking
- NH076117
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 49km
- 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
Remote approach 45% · Open hillside 35% · Summit 20%
Park near the Cluanie Inn on the A87 and take the old drove road north towards Glen Affric for 4km, then climb west onto the long east ridge of An Socach. The summit lies at the western end of a broad mile-long undulating crest. Many parties extend east over Mullach Fraoch-choire and A' Chralaig before descending. Around 17km with 1100m of ascent for the singleton.
Terrain
The Cluanie drove road is firm gravel walking. The east ridge climbs onto short turf and broken rock with one rocky step near the top. The summit ridge is a broad undulating crest with little path. Compass essential in cloud across the open plateau.
In winter
A long committing winter outing with cornice risk along the north face above Coire Mhicheil. SAIS Northern Highlands publishes for the area. The Cluanie Inn area is regularly snowed in but the A87 stays open in normal conditions. Daylight collapses below seven hours in midwinter — pre-dawn start required.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 11m
- Edinburgh4h 38m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25, OS Landranger 33
Mobile signal: Nothing above 700m. Glen Shiel or Cluanie has occasional coverage. Stash maps before leaving the car.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:00
- Sunset
- 21:54
- Civil dawn
- 04:04
- Civil dusk
- 22:50
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from An Socach.
On a long-distance route
An Socach sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around An Socach on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
An Socach — common questions
- How hard is An Socach?
- We grade An Socach at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. Ground conditions: The Cluanie drove road is firm gravel walking.
- How much drop does An Socach have?
- The drop is 124m: measured from the summit of An Socach down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for An Socach?
- Park at NH076117. 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 An Socach?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on An Socach. 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 An Socach?
- 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 An Socach?
- Nothing above 700m. Glen Shiel or Cluanie has occasional coverage. Stash maps before leaving the car.
- Is An Socach safe in winter?
- A long committing winter outing with cornice risk along the north face above Coire Mhicheil. SAIS Northern Highlands publishes for the area. The Cluanie Inn area is regularly snowed in but the A87 stays open in normal conditions. Daylight collapses below seven hours in midwinter — pre-dawn start required.
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