In Glen Shiel you can barely step off the road without stumbling over a sculpted crest or a pleasantly pointy peak. Yet given its ridgey layout, the Kintail area is surprisingly short of actual scrambles. Stand-out is of course The Saddle's Forcan Ridge, a route which fully earns its classic scramble status. But that's not the end of the story. Also on the south flank of the glen is another hands-on gem that sees a fraction of the attention. The route described here climbs the craggy peak of Aonach air Chrith via its north ridge, a straightforward but enjoyably airy scramble with a little-frequented feel. Close the circuit with some of that lovely ridge walking over to Maol Chinn-dearg, to complete arguably the best short section of the South Glen Shiel Ridge.
Detailed description
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Difficulty: SevereDistance: 6.52 miles (10.50 km)
Total ascent: 978m
Time: 5 – 6 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start/Finish:Layby on the A87. If it's busy there's more parking along the roadside to the east, NH043115
Nearest town:
Fort Augustus
Terrain:
Boggy at the foot of the hills. The ascent to the north ridge of Aonach air Chrith covers some rough, steep ground with minimal paths. The ridge itself is an exposed grade 1 scramble, which looks daunting but turns out to be quite easy. The descent of the west ridge of Aonach air Chrith is slightly airy too, and has a couple of sections that could almost be called scrambling. Maol Chinn-dearg and its north ridge descent are grassy and easygoing.
Seasonal variations:
The North Ridge of Aonach air Chrith is a grade I/II winter climb - classic mountaineering ground that may be relatively amenable but needs some respect, and could feel precarious in deep snow.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Northwest Highlands – Met Office: West Highlands
Public transport:
Buses to Portree run through Glen Shiel
Guidebooks:
Highland Scrambles North (SMC)
Maps:
OS Explorer 414 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 33 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Cluanie (01320 340 238)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- East Ridge of Beinn a' Chaorainn and Beinn Teallach 21 Jan
- A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire 4 Dec, 2023
- Meall na Teanga & Sron a' Choire Ghairbh - The Loch Lochy Munros 6 Nov, 2023
- Bynack More 19 Oct, 2023
- Beinn a' Mhuinidh 4 Oct, 2023