Munro · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Mullach nan Coirean
Mullach nan Coirean (939m) — "summit of the corries" — is the western terminus of the Mamores chain in upper Glen Nevis. The hill pairs with Stob Bàn (Mamores) for a fine short horseshoe round from Polldubh. Where Stob Bàn has a distinctive quartzite-capped summit, Mullach nan Coirean is a broader rounded peak with a large cairn at the high point. Together the two make one of the most accessible Mamores Munro pairs.
Quick facts
- Height
- 939.3m/ 3082ft
- Prominence
- 92 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 827 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN122662
- Parking
- NN145684
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 8km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
Forestry track 35% · Open hillside 40% · Summit plateau 25%
Park at the Polldubh / Lower Falls car park in upper Glen Nevis. Cross the wire footbridge over the Nevis and climb steeply east through the cleared forestry onto the Mullach nan Coirean east ridge, then bear north-east along the broad summit crest. Most parties continue to Stob Bàn via the broad connecting ridge, descending Stob Bàn's east ridge back to Achriabhach. The pair total roughly 12km with 1180m of climb.
Terrain
The Polldubh forestry path is wet and root-tangled in places. The Mullach nan Coirean east ridge climbs sustained ground through clear-felled plantation, becoming short grass on the upper slopes. The broad summit is a flat top with a large cairn. The link across to Stob Bàn is broad mossy turf with the white quartzite cone visible ahead.
In winter
A serious Mamores winter Munro pair. The west Mamores summit and connecting ridge to Stob Bàn collect wind-blown snow but are rarely avalanche-prone. The Polldubh access path stays reliable. SAIS Lochaber applies. Phone signal is intermittent at the trailhead and absent on the high ridge.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 22m
- Edinburgh3h 6m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41
Mobile signal: Intermittent signal on the forestry approaches from Glen Nevis. Above the treeline there is typically no signal. The Achriabhach car park has patchy coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:03
- Sunset
- 21:50
- Civil dawn
- 04:08
- Civil dusk
- 22:45
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Mullach nan Coirean.
Around Mullach nan Coirean on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Fort William station
Ben Nevis, Mamores, Aonachs, Knoydart ferry connection
8km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
8km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
10km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Mullach nan Coirean — common questions
- How difficult is Mullach nan Coirean?
- Mullach nan Coirean carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 16km, 827m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: The Polldubh forestry path is wet and root-tangled in places.
- What is Mullach nan Coirean's prominence?
- 92m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Mullach nan Coirean to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Mullach nan Coirean?
- Most walkers start from NN145684. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Mullach nan Coirean?
- May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Mullach nan Coirean. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Mullach nan Coirean dog-friendly?
- 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 nan Coirean?
- Intermittent signal on the forestry approaches from Glen Nevis. Above the treeline there is typically no signal. The Achriabhach car park has patchy coverage.
- Is Mullach nan Coirean safe in winter?
- A serious Mamores winter Munro pair. The west Mamores summit and connecting ridge to Stob Bàn collect wind-blown snow but are rarely avalanche-prone. The Polldubh access path stays reliable. SAIS Lochaber applies. Phone signal is intermittent at the trailhead and absent on the high ridge.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.