Munro · North-West Highlands
Meall a' Chrasgaidh
Meall a' Chrasgaidh (934m) — "hill of the crossing" — is a central Fannaich Munro, sitting between Sgùrr nan Clach Geala to the south and Sgùrr Mòr (Fannich) to the east. The hill is a rounded grassy summit on the long curving Fannaich ridge, most often climbed alongside the higher Sgùrr Mòr and Sgùrr nan Clach Geala on a long ridge round from Loch a' Bhraoin.
Quick facts
- Height
- 934.4m/ 3066ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 822 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH184733
- Parking
- NH162759
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 56km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Loch-side path or approach track 30% · Open hillside 40% · Ridge 30%
Park at the lay-by on the A832 at Loch a' Bhraoin east of Braemore Junction. Take the stalkers' path south to Lochivraon, then climb the broad north-east shoulder of Meall a' Chrasgaidh directly to the summit. From the summit it is possible to extend east to Sgùrr Mòr and south to Sgùrr nan Clach Geala for a four-Munro Fannaich round. Around 19km return with 1100m of ascent for Meall a' Chrasgaidh alone.
Terrain
The Loch a' Bhraoin lochside path gives firm going overall but turns boggy in stretches. The Lochivraon flats can flood after heavy rain. The north-east shoulder of Meall a' Chrasgaidh is broad heathery hillside with rocky outcrops higher up. A small cairn sits on a flat top at the summit. The connecting ridge east to Sgùrr Mòr is broad mossy turf with bealach peat hags.
In winter
A committed central Fannaichs winter outing. The wide summit gathers heavy drift and the connecting ridges build cornicing on their northern flanks. The lower Loch a' Bhraoin approach is somewhat sheltered. The A832 at Braemore stays gritted. The relevant avalanche source is SAIS Northern Highlands; mobile reception drops away above 700m.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 4m
- Edinburgh4h 21m
OS maps: OS Landranger 20
Mobile signal: No signal above 700m in the western Fannaich. Achnasheen has 4G. Download maps before the drive.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:24
- Sunset
- 22:14
- Civil dawn
- 03:15
- Civil dusk
- 23:23
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Meall a' Chrasgaidh.
On a long-distance route
Meall a' Chrasgaidh sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Meall a' Chrasgaidh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Meall a' Chrasgaidh — common questions
- How hard is Meall a' Chrasgaidh?
- Meall a' Chrasgaidh is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 822m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Loch a' Bhraoin lochside path gives firm going overall but turns boggy in stretches.
- Where do I park for Meall a' Chrasgaidh?
- Standard parking is at NH162759 near Ullapool. 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 Meall a' Chrasgaidh?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall a' Chrasgaidh are May, June, July, August, September. 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 Meall a' Chrasgaidh?
- 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 Meall a' Chrasgaidh?
- No signal above 700m in the western Fannaich. Achnasheen has 4G. Download maps before the drive.
- Is Meall a' Chrasgaidh safe in winter?
- A committed central Fannaichs winter outing. The wide summit gathers heavy drift and the connecting ridges build cornicing on their northern flanks. The lower Loch a' Bhraoin approach is somewhat sheltered. The A832 at Braemore stays gritted. The relevant avalanche source is SAIS Northern Highlands; mobile reception drops away above 700m.
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