Munro · kintail
Ciste Dhubh
Ciste Dhubh (979m) — "black chest" — is a striking pointed Munro that rises directly above the Cluanie Inn area, north of the A87 across from the South Glen Shiel ridge. The hill has a distinctively sharp summit cone and a narrow connecting ridge to Aonach Meadhoin to the south-west. The standard ascent is via the long Allt a' Chaorainn Bhig glen leading up to the An Caorann Mòr pass.
Gaelic: “black” · Pronunciation: ciste goo
Quick facts
- Height
- 981.1m/ 3219ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 863 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH062166
- Parking
- NH077117
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Open hillside 40% · Steep upper hillside 35% · Rocky summit 25%
Park at the small Cluanie Inn lay-by on the A87. Take the path north-west into An Caorann Mòr — the long high pass between Cluanie and Glen Affric — then turn west and climb the steep south ridge of Ciste Dhubh directly to the small pointed summit. Most parties return the same way. The longer alternative is a continuation south-west over the narrow ridge to Aonach Meadhoin and the Brothers of Kintail traverse. Around 13km return with 890m of ascent.
Terrain
The An Caorann Mòr path is rough boggy ground for the lower section, then becomes a clearer stalkers' line higher up. Ciste Dhubh's south ridge climbs steep grass and broken rock with a couple of brief scrambly moves close to the top. The summit cairn perches on the small pointed top with views straight down to the Cluanie Inn. The connecting ridge south-west to Aonach Meadhoin is narrow and exposed in places.
In winter
A serious Kintail winter Munro. Under snow the south ridge climbs at Grade I. The narrow connecting ridge to Aonach Meadhoin develops cornicing on both sides depending on wind. The A87 at Cluanie stays gritted, but the Inn lay-by glazes with ice. Mobile reception drops away on the hill; the relevant forecast is SAIS Northern Highlands.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 5m
- Edinburgh4h 34m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33
Mobile signal: No signal above 700m. The A87 roadside near the Glen Shiel junction has occasional coverage. Offline maps essential for this remote approach.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:29
- Sunset
- 22:11
- Civil dawn
- 03:23
- Civil dusk
- 23:17
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Ciste Dhubh.
Around Ciste Dhubh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ciste Dhubh — common questions
- How hard is Ciste Dhubh?
- Ciste Dhubh is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 863m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The An Caorann Mòr path is rough boggy ground for the lower section, then becomes a clearer stalkers' line higher up.
- Where do I park for Ciste Dhubh?
- Standard parking is at NH077117 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 Ciste Dhubh?
- The standard good-weather months for Ciste Dhubh are 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 Ciste Dhubh?
- 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 Ciste Dhubh?
- No signal above 700m. The A87 roadside near the Glen Shiel junction has occasional coverage. Offline maps essential for this remote approach.
- Is Ciste Dhubh safe in winter?
- A serious Kintail winter Munro. Under snow the south ridge climbs at Grade I. The narrow connecting ridge to Aonach Meadhoin develops cornicing on both sides depending on wind. The A87 at Cluanie stays gritted, but the Inn lay-by glazes with ice. Mobile reception drops away on the hill; the relevant forecast is SAIS Northern Highlands.
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