What difficulty is Sgurr na Lapaich?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Sgurr na Lapaich comes in at 5/5 — very challenging. Expect roughly 19km and 1014m of ascent on the usual route — 7-11 hours for most parties. Underfoot: The Mullardoch loch-shore path is firm but boggy in patches.

What is Sgurr na Lapaich's prominence?

841m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Sgurr na Lapaich to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Sgurr na Lapaich?

Most walkers start from NH220318. 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 Sgurr na Lapaich?

May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Sgurr na Lapaich. 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 Sgurr na Lapaich dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary

Photo: Mike Pennington / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Munro · Central Highlands

Sgurr na Lapaich

Sgurr na Lapaich is the 1152m high point of the Mullardoch ridge in the central Highlands, north of Loch Mullardoch — not to be confused with the smaller Sgurr na Lapaich of Glen Affric. With 841m of prominence it is one of the freestanding mountains of the Northern Highlands and the dominant peak of the long Strathfarrar / Mullardoch watershed. The summit is a large boulder on a small rocky platform with one of the broadest views in the country: Sutherland north, Knoydart west, the Cairngorms east.

Quick facts

Height: 1151.9m/ 3779ft
Prominence: 841 m
Distance: ~19 km
Ascent: ~1014 m
Time: 7–11 hrs
Difficulty: 5 / 5Expert
Grid ref: NH161351
Parking: NH220318
Nearest city: Inverness· 51km
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

Glen road / cycle 35% · Open hillside 30% · Summit ridge 35%

19km · 1014m ascent · 5.5 hrs

The standard line is from the Loch Mullardoch dam at the head of Glen Cannich. Follow the loch shore path west for around 4km then climb the long south-east ridge of Sgurr na Lapaich, passing the small summit of Sgurr na Muice on the way. Around 19km return with 1014m of ascent. Strong walkers extend the day to An Riabhachan or An Socach for a multi-Munro Mullardoch round.

Terrain

The Mullardoch loch-shore path is firm but boggy in patches. The climb up the south-east ridge is on tussocky grass with rocky outcrops; the upper hill is short grass and small rock steps. A compact rocky platform forms the summit area, with the large summit boulder unmistakable from afar. The connecting ridges west to An Riabhachan are broad grassy walking with one or two narrow sections.

In winter

A serious winter Mullardoch outing. The summit ridge holds cornices on its north side above Coire Mhic-fhearchair. The Mullardoch dam road is single-track and rarely gritted past the dam — winter access can be slow. Phone signal is absent throughout. Full winter kit and competence essential.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Sgurr na Lapaich. 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 West 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

Glasgow3h 22m
Edinburgh4h 45m

Parking: NH220318

OS maps: OS Landranger 25

Mobile signal: No signal in Strathfarrar. The locked glen requires a permit and a cycle approach from Strathmore — no coverage from the gate onwards. Download maps at home.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:33
Sunset: 20:03
Civil dawn: 05:53
Civil dusk: 20:44

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 September 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Sgurr na Lapaich.

Big day out
Sgurr na Lapaich + Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais
The Strathfarrar four-Munro traverse — Sgurr na Lapaich is the highest summit on one of Scotland's finest long ridge days.
22km · 1600m ascent · 9 hrs

On a long-distance route

Sgurr na Lapaich sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.

Cape Wrath Trail0.7km

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Around Sgurr na Lapaich 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

35km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Torridon

Liathach, Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin from sea level

33km 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 na Lapaich — common questions

What difficulty is Sgurr na Lapaich?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Sgurr na Lapaich comes in at 5/5 — very challenging. Expect roughly 19km and 1014m of ascent on the usual route — 7-11 hours for most parties. Underfoot: The Mullardoch loch-shore path is firm but boggy in patches.
What is Sgurr na Lapaich's prominence?: 841m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Sgurr na Lapaich to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Sgurr na Lapaich?: Most walkers start from NH220318. 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 Sgurr na Lapaich?: May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Sgurr na Lapaich. 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 Sgurr na Lapaich 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 Sgurr na Lapaich?: No signal in Strathfarrar. The locked glen requires a permit and a cycle approach from Strathmore — no coverage from the gate onwards. Download maps at home.
Is Sgurr na Lapaich safe in winter?: A serious winter Mullardoch outing. The summit ridge holds cornices on its north side above Coire Mhic-fhearchair. The Mullardoch dam road is single-track and rarely gritted past the dam — winter access can be slow. Phone signal is absent throughout. Full winter kit and competence essential.

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