3,455 ft · Northwest Highlands, Scotland
Sgùrr a' Chaorachain
Sgùrr a' Chaorachain is a 3,455 ft peak in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland. The standard route is the North Ridge: 11 mi, 3,380 ft of gain, Class 2.
Sgùrr a' Chaorachain at a glance
- Elevation3,455 ft1,053 m
- RouteNorth RidgeClass 2
- Distance11 mi3,380 ft gain
- Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
- SeasonMay – Sep
- RangeNorthwest HighlandsScotland
Climbing the North Ridge
From Achnasheen, take the A890 southwest down Glen Carron to Craig. Start from the Achnashellach Forest car park, Craig, cross the level crossing and follow the forestry track up the Allt a' Chonais, over a pass and down the flat, treeless glen toward Glenuaig. Leave the track and climb the broad Class 2 north ridge, stony in places, to the large shelter cairn on the summit. Usually combined with Sgurr Choinnich as a circuit via the Bealach Bhearnais. The Allt a' Chonais crossing near the wire bridge is hard in spate. A bike on the track shortens the day considerably.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (35–55 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- Stream crossing
- Boggy terrain
- High winds
- Low visibility
Quests with Sgùrr a' Chaorachain
MunrosPeaks near Sgùrr a' Chaorachain
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Sgùrr a' Chaorachain?
Sgùrr a' Chaorachain is 3,455 feet (1,053 m) tall. It is in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland.
How does Sgùrr a' Chaorachain rank among the Munros?
At 3,455 feet, Sgùrr a' Chaorachain is the 78th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.
How hard is it to hike Sgùrr a' Chaorachain?
The North Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 11 miles with 3,380 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Sgùrr a' Chaorachain?
Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the North Ridge, covering 11 miles with 3,380 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Can a beginner hike Sgùrr a' Chaorachain?
The North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 11 miles with 3,380 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
When is the best time to hike Sgùrr a' Chaorachain?
The usual hiking window is May to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Sgùrr a' Chaorachain with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list