How hard is Sgurr Ban?

We grade Sgurr Ban at 5/5, which puts it in very challenging territory. The usual route is around 17km with 870m of climbing; allow 6-9 hours. Ground conditions: The quartzite scree on Sgùrr Bàn's upper slopes and summit ridge is slippery underfoot, particularly when wet.

How much drop does Sgurr Ban have?

The drop is 165m: measured from the summit of Sgurr Ban down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Sgurr Ban?

Park at NH114859 near Ullapool. 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 Sgurr Ban?

Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Sgurr Ban. 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 Sgurr Ban?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary

Photo: Russel Wills / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Munro · North-West Highlands

Sgurr Ban

Sgùrr Bàn (989m) — "white peak" — is one of the Fisherfield Six Munros, named for the pale quartzite scree that mantles its summit. The hill sits in the interior of the Fisherfield Forest, the largest roadless wilderness in Britain, accessed only by long walks from Dundonnell (Corrie Hallie) or Poolewe. Always tackled as part of a multi-day Fisherfield expedition or a single very long day, almost always with neighbouring Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair.

Gaelic: “sharp peak, fair” · Pronunciation: skoor bahn

Quick facts

Height: 989m/ 3245ft
Prominence: 165 m
Distance: ~17 km
Ascent: ~870 m
Time: 6–9 hrs
Difficulty: 5 / 5Expert
Grid ref: NH055745
Parking: NH114859
Nearest: Ullapool· Inverness 68km
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

Remote approach track 40% · Open hillside 30% · Quartzite ridge 30%

17km · 870m ascent · 4.8 hrs

The standard approach is from Corrie Hallie near Dundonnell — see Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair for the full Fisherfield round. Sgùrr Bàn is reached over the long quartzite ridge from the Mullach. The summit cairn is a substantial pile of pale quartzite blocks. Continue south-east to Beinn a' Chlàidheimh (now a Corbett since the 2012 demotion) for the full traverse. The Fisherfield Six round totals 50km with 2500m of ascent — usually a two-day trip with overnight at Shenavall.

Terrain

The quartzite scree on Sgùrr Bàn's upper slopes and summit ridge is slippery underfoot, particularly when wet. The connecting ridge from Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair is broad with broken rocky outcrops. Fisherfield approach paths from Corrie Hallie or Shenavall are rough and demand confident navigation. After heavy rain the rivers (Abhainn Loch an Nid, Abhainn Srath na Sealga) can become unfordable.

In winter

A committing winter wilderness day. The quartzite ridges glaze with verglas and become genuinely treacherous in winter conditions. The river crossings can be unfordable after snowmelt. Shenavall bothy offers basic overnight shelter. There is no mobile reception anywhere in the Fisherfield. Self-sufficient winter mountaineering kit and competence are essential.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Sgurr Ban. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow4h 9m
Edinburgh4h 29m

Parking: NH114859

OS maps: OS Landranger 19

Mobile signal: No signal in the Fisherfield Forest. Download maps at home — the approach paths are too remote for any mobile coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 52mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:34
Sunset: 20:05
Civil dawn: 05:53
Civil dusk: 20:45

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 September 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Sgurr Ban.

Multi-day with bothy
Sgurr Ban + Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair
Sgurr Ban and Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair — the Fisherfield Six wilderness traverse.
35km · 2200m ascent · 15 hrs

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Around Sgurr Ban on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Plockton station

Coastal Wester Ross; Plockton village; Skye Bridge approach

48km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Ullapool

Main NW Highlands hub; Hebrides ferry; Inverpolly access

21km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Sgurr Ban — common questions

How hard is Sgurr Ban?: We grade Sgurr Ban at 5/5, which puts it in very challenging territory. The usual route is around 17km with 870m of climbing; allow 6-9 hours. Ground conditions: The quartzite scree on Sgùrr Bàn's upper slopes and summit ridge is slippery underfoot, particularly when wet.
How much drop does Sgurr Ban have?: The drop is 165m: measured from the summit of Sgurr Ban down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Sgurr Ban?: Park at NH114859 near Ullapool. 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 Sgurr Ban?: Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Sgurr Ban. 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 Sgurr Ban?: 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 Sgurr Ban?: No signal in the Fisherfield Forest. Download maps at home — the approach paths are too remote for any mobile coverage.
Is Sgurr Ban safe in winter?: A committing winter wilderness day. The quartzite ridges glaze with verglas and become genuinely treacherous in winter conditions. The river crossings can be unfordable after snowmelt. Shenavall bothy offers basic overnight shelter. There is no mobile reception anywhere in the Fisherfield. Self-sufficient winter mountaineering kit and competence are essential.

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