Munro · Kintail
Sgurr nan Coireachan
Sgùrr nan Coireachan (953m) — the Loch Arkaig / Rough Bounds version, distinct from its Glenfinnan namesake — is the easternmost Munro of the great Rough Bounds trio with Sgùrr na Cìche and Garbh Chioch Mhòr at the head of Loch Arkaig. Together the three form one of the wildest and most committing three-Munro days in Scotland, in country with no roads for many kilometres in any direction. The hill is a fine rocky cone seen from the Loch Arkaig road end at Strathan.
Quick facts
- Height
- 953.8m/ 3129ft
- Prominence
- 222 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 839 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM933958
- Parking
- NM988914
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 28km
- 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 path 30% · Open hillside / ridge 40% · Rocky summit 30%
See Sgùrr na Cìche or Garbh Chioch Mhòr for the standard three-Munro Rough Bounds round from Strathan at the head of Loch Arkaig. Sgùrr nan Coireachan is the eastern Munro on the round, descended via its long south ridge back to Strathan after climbing the other two via Glen Dessarry. The full round totals around 23km with 1700m of ascent.
Terrain
The Glen Dessarry approach path alternates between well-built stretches and rough, wet sections. The south ridge of Sgùrr nan Coireachan gives sustained heathery hillside walking with no real path. Higher up the surface becomes short grass and broken rock; a small cairn sits on a grassy knoll at the summit. The link west to Garbh Chioch Mhòr is broad ground with rocky outcrops.
In winter
A serious remote Knoydart winter day. The full three-Munro round in winter daylight is committing — most parties tackle individual Munros over multiple days. The Loch Arkaig single-track road is drift-prone, and once gained the high ground has no nearby rescue infrastructure. Mobile reception absent throughout. SAIS Lochaber applies. Full alpine kit and self-sufficiency essential.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 6m
- Edinburgh3h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 33, OS Landranger 40
Mobile signal: Zero signal above 700m on the Knoydart/Loch Arkaig approach. Strathan has no coverage. Save your maps before departing Spean Bridge.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:03
- Sunset
- 21:53
- Civil dawn
- 04:07
- Civil dusk
- 22:49
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Sgurr nan Coireachan.
Around Sgurr nan Coireachan on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Glenfinnan station
Glenfinnan Viaduct; Streap, Sgurr Thuilm, Glen Finnan Munros
15km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Mallaig
Ferry port for Skye and the Small Isles; CWT finish supply
25km 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
27km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sgurr nan Coireachan — common questions
- What difficulty is Sgurr nan Coireachan?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Sgurr nan Coireachan comes in at 4/5 — challenging. Expect roughly 16km and 839m of ascent on the usual route — 5-8 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: The Glen Dessarry approach path alternates between well-built stretches and rough, wet sections.
- How much drop does Sgurr nan Coireachan have?
- The drop is 222m: measured from the summit of Sgurr nan Coireachan down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Sgurr nan Coireachan?
- Park at NM988914. 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 nan Coireachan?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Sgurr nan Coireachan. 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 nan Coireachan?
- 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 nan Coireachan?
- Zero signal above 700m on the Knoydart/Loch Arkaig approach. Strathan has no coverage. Save your maps before departing Spean Bridge.
- Is Sgurr nan Coireachan safe in winter?
- A serious remote Knoydart winter day. The full three-Munro round in winter daylight is committing — most parties tackle individual Munros over multiple days. The Loch Arkaig single-track road is drift-prone, and once gained the high ground has no nearby rescue infrastructure. Mobile reception absent throughout. SAIS Lochaber applies. Full alpine kit and self-sufficiency essential.
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