Munro · kintail
Sgurr an Doire Leathain
Sgùrr an Doire Leathain (1010m) — "peak of the broad thicket" — is the highest of the western Munros on the South Glen Shiel ridge, the long sustained chain of seven Munros that walls in the southern side of Glen Shiel. It sits between Maol Chinn-Dearg and Sgurr an Lochain near the western end of the ridge. The summit cone is a small pointed top with views west into Knoydart and north across to Beinn Sgritheall and the Five Sisters.
Quick facts
- Height
- 1010m/ 3314ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 889 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH015098
- Parking
- NH077117
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
Steep hillside 35% · Ridge walk 50% · Summit 15%
Almost always tackled as part of the full South Glen Shiel ridge traverse (see Aonach air Chrith). Park at the Cluanie Inn or arrange transport for the Shiel Bridge end, then traverse the seven Munros from east to west: starting with Creag a' Mhaim and Druim Shionnach, then onto Aonach air Chrith and Maol Chinn-Dearg, before crossing Sgurr an Doire Leathain to Sgurr an Lochain and finishing on Creag nan Damh. Around 22km with 2000m of cumulative ascent. Direct ascent of Doire Leathain alone from the A87 is brutally steep at around 8km return with 900m.
Terrain
The crest of the South Glen Shiel ridge is broad mossy turf along almost its full length — easy underfoot but the constant up-and-down between summits adds up. The Sgùrr an Doire Leathain summit cone is a small rocky top with a clear path. The drop west to the bealach for Sgurr an Lochain is steep grass; the drop east to the Maol Chinn-Dearg bealach is broad and easy. Direct A87 ascents from Glen Shiel are unremittingly steep grass slopes.
In winter
A serious winter ridge traverse. The crest develops continuous cornicing on both sides depending on wind direction. The ridge is committing once gained — escape options are limited to steep grass slopes dropping back to the A87. The A87 itself stays gritted but Cluanie sits in a snow-trap. No mobile reception on the crest; consult SAIS Northern Highlands for avalanche guidance.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 59m
- Edinburgh4h 32m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33
Mobile signal: No signal on the ridge. Glen Shiel road has occasional pockets of signal. Download OS Landranger 33 before setting off.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:29
- Sunset
- 22:11
- Civil dawn
- 03:24
- Civil dusk
- 23:16
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Sgurr an Doire Leathain.
Around Sgurr an Doire Leathain on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Sgurr an Doire Leathain — common questions
- How hard is Sgurr an Doire Leathain?
- Sgurr an Doire Leathain is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 889m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The crest of the South Glen Shiel ridge is broad mossy turf along almost its full length — easy underfoot but the constant up-and-down between summits adds up.
- Where do I park for Sgurr an Doire Leathain?
- 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 Sgurr an Doire Leathain?
- The standard good-weather months for Sgurr an Doire Leathain 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 Sgurr an Doire Leathain?
- 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 Sgurr an Doire Leathain?
- No signal on the ridge. Glen Shiel road has occasional pockets of signal. Download OS Landranger 33 before setting off.
- Is Sgurr an Doire Leathain safe in winter?
- A serious winter ridge traverse. The crest develops continuous cornicing on both sides depending on wind direction. The ridge is committing once gained — escape options are limited to steep grass slopes dropping back to the A87. The A87 itself stays gritted but Cluanie sits in a snow-trap. No mobile reception on the crest; consult SAIS Northern Highlands for avalanche guidance.
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.