Sisters of Kintail
Hillwalking route up the Munros in the Five Sisters of Kintail
From close to the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel, a linear hillwalking route leads along a fine ridge and over the peaks that form the famed Five Sisters of Kintail to drop to the head of Loch Duich.
Route outline
Munros | ||||
Ascent | 1330m (4360ft) | |||
Distance | 13km (8m) | |||
Time | 5:30hr | |||
Start | Glen Shiel Grid Ref : NH005135 | |||
Finish | Allt a' Chruin Grid Ref : NG945243 | |||
Terrain |
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Effort |
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Scenery |
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The famed Five Sisters of Kintail are the peaks on the western half of the long ridge that rises dramatically and steeply above the northern side of Glen Shiel. The linear hiking route over this range begins by climbing onto the ridge from near the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel, then travels over the peaks in the group to drop to Allt a' Chruinn near the head of Loch Duich.
From the roadside in Glen Shiel, a decent path climbs fairly gently onto the ridge to a bealach below Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe, the most easterly Munro peak of the Five Sisters of Kintail. Thereafter the route follows well-defined paths along the crests of the range. There is some steep ground between the Munro summits with a little easy scrambling here and there. The route start and end points are some 12km apart, so arranging some form of transport will avoid hiking back along a rather busy road at the end of the day.
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Route description
1. Getting to Glen Shiel
Feral goats in Glen Shiel
The A87 travels from the A82 at Invergarry in the Great Glen towards Kintail and eventually on to the Isle of Skye.
As the road climbs westwards from Invergarry then drops northwards through Glen Loyne down to Glen Moriston, it meets with the A887 approaching from Invermoriston on Loch Ness.
To the west of this junction is Loch Cluanie, at the western end of which is Cluanie Inn, a fine place to eat or stay. Around 8km further west of the inn is a large parking area, close by which is the hillwalking route start point.
The route ends by the head of Loch Duich, where just south of the causeway over the loch, is a junction with a sign pointing to Morvich. Close to the junction is a designated car-parking area behind some old sheds with room for around 5 vehicles.
Arranging some form of transport between the two points will avoid a tedious walk back along what can be a rather busy road.
2. Sgurr nan Spainteach and Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe
Above Glen Shiel, Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe ahead
The hillwalking route begins from a layby on the north side of the A87, around 300m west of the large car-park. Above the lay-by is a gate in a fence surrounding recently felled forestry - head through this gate and up a rather overgrown path. The path crosses a track and then climbs around 150m to reach the edge of the forestry land by a rather tired old fence-line
Above the fence, the path turns north-west and climbs the slope ahead at an angle, passing under a few lovely little waterfalls. After around 1km, the path gradually disappears into grass - turn uphill and hike into a wide coire of grass and boulders. There's a climb of around 300m, some of which is rather steep, and the bealach between Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe and Sgurr nan Spainteach is gained.
Sgurr nan Spainteach isn't considered to be one of The Five Sisters of Kintail, nor is it a Munro (it is a mere 'Munro Top'), so doesn't see much traffic. However a detour to this summit is most worthwhile, not only for the views along the ridge but also for a bit of fun to be had while scrambling on some rock just above the bealach.
The bealach between Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe and Sgurr nan Spainteach is a slightly confusing place where a grassy hollow sits below two minor shoulders. Along each shoulder is a path - either path will do as they converge further along the crest to form one path. This path then veers right to the north-west, then turns back to zig-zag up some scree onto some boulders, which can hold snow into late spring.
Looking back to Sgurr nan Spainteach while nearing the summit of Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe
Looking back to Sgurr nan Spainteach while nearing the summit of Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe
3. Sgurr na Carnach
Sgurr na Carnach from Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe
From Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe's large cairn, head initially west on a faint path. Admiring the view ahead over Loch Duich, though beautiful, may be tricky as an eye needs to be kept on footwork while trying to follow the path as it crosses bouldery terrain. To ease this, after hiking for around 400m beyond Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe's summit, leave the path and, keeping to the right side of the crest, head down a grassy bank (possibly snow covered in winter).
After crossing a small patch of boulderfield, the path on the crest is rejoined and followed down to Bealach na Craoibhe, the col below Sgurr na Carnach .
From the bealach, the path heads slightly right (east) of the crest ahead, then follows an easy line, initially on grass, then stone, to zig-zag its way back onto the crest of Sgurr na Carnach's southern shoulder, then to it's summit .
Climbing Sgurr na Carnach, Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe behind
Climbing Sgurr na Carnach, Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe behind
4. Sgurr Fhuaran
Descending Sgurr na Carnach, Sgurr Fhuaran ahead
Leaving Sgurr na Carnach's grass-covered summit, head northwards and suddenly the ground ahead drops steeply. The path is found, well-trodden and obvious, but occasionally there are some short rocky sections in descent. Though the scrambling involved to pass these sections is easy and for the most part quite protected, some care is required.
Having passed Sgurr na Carnach's steep north-facing ground, the path crosses more level and grass-covered ground to reach Bealach na Carnach , the col below Sgurr Fhuaran.
Above Bealach na Carnach, the path continues uphill as it tries to find an easy line between boulders and scree. The path begins to branch out in various directions as it progresses uphill - I guess walkers have tried to find the the most suitable line. Take the route that suits you - I've found it slightly easier keeping to the left branches, whereas paths on the right tend to end with an occasional scramble over loose rock or scree.
Nearing Sgurr Fhuaran's summit, looking back to Sgurr na Carnach
Nearing Sgurr Fhuaran's summit, looking back to Sgurr na Carnach
5. Sgurr nan Saighead and descent to Loch Duich
Sgurr nan Saighead from the descent on Sgurr Fhuaran
Head north-west from Sgurr Fhuaran's summit following the obvious path as it twist and turns to lose around 100m of height. The ground levels a little and reaches a grassy bank where there is a faint path heading off to the left.
The path heading off left follows the south-western shoulder of Sgurr Fhuaran as it drops 1000m down a continuous slope to grass and bracken of Glen Shiel below. This is a superb hill-runners descent, expect knees and thigh muscles to be well tested, and ends with a wade across the River Shiel to reach the roadside by the house at Torrlaoighseach.
To continue onwards along the Five Sisters of Kintail, from the junction in the path, keep right as the path follows the crest of Sgurr Fhuaran's northern spur dropping to Bealach Buidhe . Ahead is Sgurr nan Saighead , a grass-covered pyramid with spectacular cliffs on its east face. This fine peak is worth summiting, but as it is not a Munro (it is a mere 'Munro Top'), a by-pass path has developed on the grassy slopes of its south-western face.
Beyond Sgurr nan Saighead the path follows the ridge-line of the Five Sisters and heads north-west to cross the minor summit of Beinn Bhuidhe , before turning north-east to drop to the bealach at the head of Coire na Criche .
Ahead is the most northerly of the Five Sisters of Kintail, Sgurr na Mhoraich. Classed as a 'Corbett Top' this hill has a flat and long broad grassy summit plateau and after the fine ridge-walking enjoyed up to this point, the prospect of climbing over it is rather unappealing !
Descending from Beinn Bhuidhe to Coire na Criche
Descending from Beinn Bhuidhe to Coire na Criche
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Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
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Seasonal | SAIS - Lochaber Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
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