How hard is Sgurr Choinnich?

We grade Sgurr Choinnich at 5/5, which puts it in very challenging territory. The usual route is around 17km with 879m of climbing; allow 6-9 hours. Terrain: The shared Allt a' Chonais approach is excellent restored stalkers' path.

How prominent is Sgurr Choinnich?

Sgurr Choinnich has 133m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Sgurr Choinnich?

Standard parking is at NH039492 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Sgurr Choinnich?

The standard good-weather months for Sgurr Choinnich 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 Choinnich?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary

Photo: Jon Coupland / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Munro · North-West Highlands

Sgurr Choinnich

Sgùrr Choinnich (999m) — "Kenneth's peak" — is the western Munro of the Achnashellach pair, the immediate neighbour of Sgùrr a' Chaorachain across a narrow bealach at the head of the Allt a' Chonais. The hill's shapely profile is visible across the Strath Carron country and the summit gives commanding views west to the Torridon hills. The two Achnashellach Munros are always climbed together from Craig.

Quick facts

Height: 999.3m/ 3279ft
Prominence: 133 m
Distance: ~17 km
Ascent: ~879 m
Time: 6–9 hrs
Difficulty: 5 / 5Expert
Grid ref: NH076446
Parking: NH039492
Nearest: Ullapool· Inverness 59km
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

Stalkers path 35% · Open hillside 30% · Narrow summit ridge 35%

17km · 879m ascent · 4.9 hrs

See Sgùrr a' Chaorachain for the standard Achnashellach pair route. From Craig on the A890, take the long Allt a' Chonais stalkers' path west into the heart of the hills, cross the bridge and climb to the bealach between Sgùrr Choinnich and Sgùrr a' Chaorachain. From the bealach turn west along the narrow rocky ridge to Sgùrr Choinnich. Return to the bealach and continue east to Sgùrr a' Chaorachain. The pair total roughly 22km with 1300m of climb.

Terrain

The shared Allt a' Chonais approach is excellent restored stalkers' path. The climb to the bealach is rough scree and short grass. The Sgùrr Choinnich summit ridge is narrow rocky crest with significant exposure on the north side above Coire na Sealga — one short scrambly step near the cairn. The connecting ridge back to the bealach is broad and easy. The descent from the bealach into Coire Choinnich is loose scree.

In winter

A serious Achnashellach winter day. The narrow summit crest of Sgùrr Choinnich develops cornicing on its north side. The east face of the connecting ridge holds wind-loaded snow after westerly storms. The long Allt a' Chonais approach in shortened daylight adds significant commitment. The A890 at Achnashellach stays gritted. Phone signal absent on the hill.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Sgurr Choinnich. 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 35m
Edinburgh4h 59m

Parking: NH039492

OS maps: OS Landranger 25

Mobile signal: No reception above 700m in the Achnashellach area. Achnasheen has 4G. Save your maps before the drive from Inverness.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:34
Sunset: 20:04
Civil dawn: 05:54
Civil dusk: 20:44

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 September 2026

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Around Sgurr Choinnich 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

29km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Torridon

Liathach, Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin from sea level

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 Choinnich — common questions

How hard is Sgurr Choinnich?: We grade Sgurr Choinnich at 5/5, which puts it in very challenging territory. The usual route is around 17km with 879m of climbing; allow 6-9 hours. Terrain: The shared Allt a' Chonais approach is excellent restored stalkers' path.
How prominent is Sgurr Choinnich?: Sgurr Choinnich has 133m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Sgurr Choinnich?: Standard parking is at NH039492 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Sgurr Choinnich?: The standard good-weather months for Sgurr Choinnich 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 Choinnich?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Sgurr Choinnich?: No reception above 700m in the Achnashellach area. Achnasheen has 4G. Save your maps before the drive from Inverness.
Is Sgurr Choinnich safe in winter?: A serious Achnashellach winter day. The narrow summit crest of Sgùrr Choinnich develops cornicing on its north side. The east face of the connecting ridge holds wind-loaded snow after westerly storms. The long Allt a' Chonais approach in shortened daylight adds significant commitment. The A890 at Achnashellach stays gritted. Phone signal absent on the hill.

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