Sgurr na h-Ulaidh from Glencoe
Hillwalking route up Sgurr na h-Ulaidh from Glencoe
Heading to Sgurr na h-Ulaidh from Glencoe follows a good track, but take the wrong way and you could end up heading up some difficult ground.
Route outline
Munros | ||||
Ascent | 1150m (3770ft) | |||
Distance | 12km (8m) | |||
Time | 5:00hr | |||
Start/finish | Western end of Glencoe Grid Ref : NN118565 | |||
Terrain |
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Effort |
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Scenery |
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From the western end of Glencoe, Sgurr na h-Ulaidh looks fairly forboding, conical in shape with its northern aspects protected by crags. There is however a fairly easy route up this, though in mist you'll need to able to navigate with confidence. This route also takes in the minor Munro Top of Stob an Fhuarain.
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Route description
1. Getting to start in Glencoe
Sgurr na h-Ulaidh from forestry by the Allt na Muidhe
At the western end of Glencoe on a sharp corner of the A82 by Achnacon Farm there is space for a few cars to park in a layby on the north side of the road.
The hillwalking route starts on a track on the opposite side of the road, to the west of the car-park. There are no places to park at the entrance to the track. There is a large car-park further east of the layby, on the south side of the River Coe, by the Clachaig Inn.
2. Sgurr na h-Ulaidh
Looking from Sgurr na h-Ulaidh to Stob an Fhuarain
From the lay-by, following the road, walk north-west and cross the bridge over the Allt na Muidhe. Shortly after this, head up the track on your left marked with a sign for Glencoe Mountain Cottages.
After 1.5km, a sign points walkers off the track and onto to a 'path' around the holiday cottages.
The path re-joins the track beyond the cottages and a further 1.5km further up, the track then passes some farm buildings and comes to an end by the edge of some forestry .
A path leads on and follows the east bank of the Allt na Muidhe. Follow this for 2km, then cross the burn and head up to Bealach Easan - the col between Meall Lighiche and Sgor na h-Ulaidh, where you should meet a line of old fence posts.
At the bealach, turn southwards and keeping to grassy ground to the right (west) of the crags ahead, aim uphill. Higher up, meet with the fence posts again, picking up a faint path, zig-zagging through occasional scree and boulderfield leading onto the crest of Sgurr na h-Ulaidh's summit western shoulder.
Now on easier terrain, enjoy the views for the last 500m ot so following the line of fence-posts to Sgurr na h-Ulaidh's summit , where a small cairn stands perched on a platform of rock above an airy drop to the north.
3. Stob an Fhuarain and return
Bealach between Sgurr na h-Ulaidh and Stob an Fhuarain
Leaving Sgurr na h-Ulaidh's summit behind, head east and descend some rocky ground. Shortly thereafter, look for a path heading north-east dropping down fairly steep ground to reach the bealach between Sgurr na h-Ulaidh and the minor summit of Stob an Fhuarain, a 'Munro Top'.
Following a line of fence-posts, hike up to the cairn on Stob an Fhuarain , then continue northwards and drop around 150m of height and the other side of the 'Top'.
As the ground levels out aim north-west and descend on grassy slopes to return to the path on the east bank of the Allt na Muidhe and return on the route in.
Route profile »
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Weather forecasts »
Regional | MWIS - Western Highlands |
Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
Seasonal | SAIS - Glencoe Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Sgurr na h-Ulaidh and Beinn Fhionnlaidh from Glen Etive | |
An excellent track heading in from Glen Etive gives good accessibility to the lower slopes of Sgurr na h-Ulaidh and Beinn Fhionnlaidh, allowing these two Munro summits to be bagged in a fine hillwalking route. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1550m (5090ft) Distance : 18km (11m) Time : 7hr |
Sgurr na h-Ulaidh to Bidean nam Bian | |
Starting from Glencoe, Sgurr na h-Ulaidh can be linked to Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach, taking in the Corbetts of Meall Lighiche and Beinn Maol Chaluim. A big and rough undertaking ! Peaks : 3 Munros, 2 Corbetts
Ascent : 2375m (7790ft) Distance : 25km (16m) Time : 10:15hr |
Beinn Sgulaird from Glen Etive | |
Through forestry, then on open hillside and rocky terrain higher up, this route makes for a quiet approach up Beinn Sgulaird. Peaks : 1 Munro
Ascent : 1025m (3360ft) Distance : 14km (9m) Time : 5:15hr |
Sgurr na h-Ulaidh to Beinn Sgulaird from Glen Etive | |
Starting from and finishing in Glen Etive, this is a big day out with a 5km return along road - if you were really keen, it could also be possible to include the Corbett Beinn Trilleachan ! Peaks : 3 Munros, option of 1 Corbett
Ascent : 2475m (8120ft) Distance : 30km (19m) Time : 11:40hr |