Loch Duich

Glen Shiel

The Five Sisters

Location of the Kintail Mountains

Kintail is a large region of mountainous country situated in the west coast of Scotland on the main road to the Island of Skye.   This main road, the A87, runs westwards through the principal glen in the area, Glen Shiel.   It has a large number of Munros so unless you are bagging them in a continuous round, you will need to return on several occasions, but it is worth it.

Saddle & Forcan Ridge

Forcan Ridge

Faochag

Mountains of Kintail

North

There are several groups of Munros on the north side of Glen Shiel.   Firstly to the east of the area is a group of three Munros climbed from Lundie on the north shore of Loch Cluanie.   A good stalker's path, although very muddy in places, takes the walker towards the summit of the first Munro, Carn Ghluasaid.   Sgurr nan Conbhairean and Sail Chaorainn can be included in this walk.

Further west A'Chralaig is climbed in conjunction with Mullach Fraoch-choire where a narrow ridge connects the two Munros.   Snow lingers well into the summer in a north-east gully and covers a small section of the narrow path which avoids the pinnacled ridge which can make crossing this ridge awkward.

Ciste Dubh is the next Munro and stands on its own.   However it is worth while including the Corbett Am Bathach in the ascent of this mountain.   This route avoids the wet and boggy path which you will probably use on the return route.

The next group of Munros are known as 'The Brothers', compared to 'The Sisters'  further west along this ridge.   The Brothers consist of three Munros, Aonach Meadhoin, Sgurr a'Bhealaich Dheirg and Saileag and give a good high level walk.  

A continuation of this ridge leads to The Five Sisters, three of which are Munros.   They are Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe, Sgurr na Carnach and Sgurr Fhuaran.   The Brothers and Sisters are linear walks so transport back up Glen Shiel will have to be considered before setting out.

To the rear of the Five Sisters is the Munro Beinn Fhada, sometimes referred to as Ben Attow.   It is climbed from Morvich or from Dorusduain in Strath Croe.   It can be combined with the Munro A'Ghlas-bheinn.    West of Strath Croe is the Corbett Sgurr an Airigd which is a good hill to climb on your final day if heading home as it only takes a few hours.

Strath Croe is also the starting point of a walk to the Falls of Glomach but great care is required at the head of the Falls due to the steepness of the hillside and the slippery terrain.   A return can be made via Bealach an Sgairne.

Loch Cluanie

Sound of Sleat

Loch Hourn

South

On the south side of Glen Shiel are a group of nine Munros.   Seven are on what is called the South Glenshiel Ridge or on occasions the South Cluanie Ridge.   To climb all seven is a fairly long day and you need to return to the start, which is normally the Cluanie Inn and it's all uphill.   The ridge can be split into two if you feel seven is too much for you in a single outing.

West of the South Glenshiel Ridge is Sgurr na Sgine and The Saddle.   The Saddle can be ascended by a narrow ridge called the Forcan Ridge and this involves some easy scrambling.   If you wish to avoid these difficulties a path follows an old stone dyke on the south side of the Forcan Ridge.   Situated between the South Glenshiel Ridge and the Sgurr na Sgine is the Corbett Sguur a'Bhac Chaolais.   North of The Saddle and above the hamlet of Shiel Bridge is another Corbett, Sgurr Mhic Bharraich.

The last Munro in this area isn't actually in Kintail but several miles south and is approached by a high level pass, the Bealach Ratagan, to Glenelg.   This Munro is Beinn Sgritheall and can be climbed from Arnisdale on the  north shore of Loch Hourn.   The approach route starts at sea level and it is fairly steep so you climb its full height, unlike the some of the other Munros in Kintail.   There are two Corbetts to the east of Beinn Sgritheall, Beinn na h-Eaglaise and Beinn nan Caorach.

A couple of other Corbetts lie to the east of the South Glenshiel Ridge.   Beinne Loinne is awkwardly placed on the south shore of Loch Cluanie and a canoe may be a useful means of approach.    Further east is the Corbett Meall Dubh, probably best ascended from the north as a track, not shown on the map, assists with height gain.

Frances on The Saddle

Forcan Ridge

Sgurr na Sgine

Additional Information

Kintail and Lochalsh Walking Guide - one of the most popular areas for walking in all the Scottish Highlands.

A'Chralaig

Loch Duich

Ciste Dhubh