Munro · Central Highlands
Creag Meagaidh
Creag Meagaidh — pronounced "Mecky" — is the 1128m Munro that dominates the north side of Loch Laggan, one of the great mountain massifs of the central Highlands. The hill is most famous for the spectacular Coire Ardair on its eastern flank, a giant cliffed amphitheatre with a small lochan at its foot and the dramatic notch known as "The Window" cutting through its head wall. Coire Ardair is among the most important winter climbing venues in Scotland with steep mixed lines that hold ice into May.
Quick facts
- Height
- 1128.1m/ 3701ft
- Prominence
- 868 m
- Distance
- 18 km
- Ascent
- 993 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN418875
- Parking
- NN483873
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 34km
- 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
Good path 40% · Steep hillside / Window 35% · Summit plateau 25%
The classic line is from the NNR car park at Aberarder on the A86, climbing the well-built path north into Coire Ardair, past the lochan to the head of the corrie, then ascending through The Window onto the broad summit plateau. The plateau is wide and featureless — take a precise bearing for the cairn at the western end. Around 18km return with 993m of ascent. Often combined with Stob Poite Coire Ardair and Carn Liath for the three-Munro round.
Terrain
The NNR path is one of the best-built in the country — wide stone-pitch through native birch and pine regeneration. The Coire Ardair corrie floor is open grass. The Window itself is a steep rocky notch with loose scree; care needed on descent. The summit plateau is broad gravel and short grass; the cairn is at the far western end and easily missed in mist.
In winter
A major Scottish winter venue. The Coire Ardair cliffs hold classic Grade III-V ice climbs including the famous Smith's Gully and Apollyon Ledge. The Window is an avalanche-prone choke point that has been the site of fatal incidents — never approach in unstable conditions. The plateau is featureless under snow; precise navigation essential. SAIS Creag Meagaidh report runs daily Nov–Apr.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 37m
- Edinburgh3h 0m
OS maps: OS Landranger 34, OS Landranger 42
Mobile signal: Good signal at the NNR car park on the A86 at Aberarder. Signal fades through the Coire Ardair approach. No signal at summit. The car park has a visitor information board — useful for conditions updates.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:00
- Sunset
- 21:50
- Civil dawn
- 04:05
- Civil dusk
- 22:45
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Creag Meagaidh.
On a long-distance route
Creag Meagaidh sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Creag Meagaidh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Tulloch station
Loch Treig; Beinn na Lap; Stob Coire Easain / Stob a Choire Mheadhoin approach
12km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
34km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Dalwhinnie
Dalwhinnie — Scotland's highest distillery on the Drumochter pass
22km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Creag Meagaidh — common questions
- How hard is Creag Meagaidh?
- We grade Creag Meagaidh at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 18km with 993m of climbing; allow 6-9 hours. Ground conditions: The NNR path is one of the best-built in the country — wide stone-pitch through native birch and pine regeneration.
- How much drop does Creag Meagaidh have?
- The drop is 868m: measured from the summit of Creag Meagaidh down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Creag Meagaidh?
- Park at NN483873. 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 Creag Meagaidh?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Creag Meagaidh. 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 Creag Meagaidh?
- 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 Creag Meagaidh?
- Good signal at the NNR car park on the A86 at Aberarder. Signal fades through the Coire Ardair approach. No signal at summit. The car park has a visitor information board — useful for conditions updates.
- Is Creag Meagaidh safe in winter?
- A major Scottish winter venue. The Coire Ardair cliffs hold classic Grade III-V ice climbs including the famous Smith's Gully and Apollyon Ledge. The Window is an avalanche-prone choke point that has been the site of fatal incidents — never approach in unstable conditions. The plateau is featureless under snow; precise navigation essential. SAIS Creag Meagaidh report runs daily Nov–Apr.
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