Munro · kintail
Mullach na Dheiragain
Mullach na Dheiragain (982m) — "summit of the heron" — is one of the most awkward Munros to reach in Scotland, set out on a long northern spur of Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan deep in the Glen Affric / Glen Mullardoch hinterland. The hill is invariably paired with its parent Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan and approached either via Glen Affric to Alltbeithe Hostel, from the Mullardoch shore, or in a long traverse from Morvich in Kintail. All approaches involve significant commitment.
Quick facts
- Height
- 982m/ 3222ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 864 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH080259
- Parking
- NH216242
- Nearest
- Fort William· Inverness 61km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
Remote path / pathless ground 45% · Open hillside 35% · Summit ridge 20%
The most popular line is a two-day trip via Glen Affric. Day 1: walk in from the Affric road end (Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin car park) along Loch Affric to Alltbeithe SYHA hostel (around 13km). Day 2: climb Mullach na Dheiragain via the long north-east ridge, returning over the parent Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan. Or attempt the very long single-day round from Morvich over the Bealach an Sgairne. From Affric the full out-and-back is around 32km with 1400m of ascent.
Terrain
The Affric track to Alltbeithe is firm landrover surface. Off the track the going is rough heathery moor. The north-east ridge of Mullach na Dheiragain is broad mossy turf with no clear path. The summit is a small cairn on a broad flat top. The connecting ridge south to Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan is undulating turf with one or two rocky outcrops. Alltbeithe Hostel is open seasonally and useful for an overnight stop.
In winter
A committing remote winter expedition. The Glen Affric approach is long and Alltbeithe Hostel is closed in winter. The long ridge between Mullach na Dheiragain and Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan is exposed and drifts heavily. There is no mobile reception throughout the area; a satellite communicator is strongly advised. The relevant avalanche forecast is SAIS Northern Highlands. Most parties tackle this in summer.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 14m
- Edinburgh4h 41m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25, OS Landranger 33
Mobile signal: No signal. Genuinely remote — no coverage for 15km in any direction. Download maps at home. A satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or similar) is recommended for this hill.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:28
- Sunset
- 22:11
- Civil dawn
- 03:21
- Civil dusk
- 23:18
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Mullach na Dheiragain.
On a long-distance route
Mullach na Dheiragain sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Mullach na Dheiragain on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Mullach na Dheiragain — common questions
- How hard is Mullach na Dheiragain?
- Mullach na Dheiragain is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 864m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Affric track to Alltbeithe is firm landrover surface.
- Where do I park for Mullach na Dheiragain?
- Standard parking is at NH216242 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 Mullach na Dheiragain?
- The standard good-weather months for Mullach na Dheiragain 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 Mullach na Dheiragain?
- 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 Mullach na Dheiragain?
- No signal. Genuinely remote — no coverage for 15km in any direction. Download maps at home. A satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or similar) is recommended for this hill.
- Is Mullach na Dheiragain safe in winter?
- A committing remote winter expedition. The Glen Affric approach is long and Alltbeithe Hostel is closed in winter. The long ridge between Mullach na Dheiragain and Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan is exposed and drifts heavily. There is no mobile reception throughout the area; a satellite communicator is strongly advised. The relevant avalanche forecast is SAIS Northern Highlands. Most parties tackle this in summer.
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