3,278 ft · Northwest Highlands, Scotland
Sgùrr Choinnich
Sgùrr Choinnich is a 3,278 ft peak in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland. The standard route is the Bealach Bhearnais: 11 mi, 3,280 ft of gain, Class 2.
Sgùrr Choinnich at a glance
- Elevation3,278 ft999 m
- RouteBealach BhearnaisClass 2
- Distance11 mi3,280 ft gain
- Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
- SeasonMay – Sep
- RangeNorthwest HighlandsScotland
Climbing the Bealach Bhearnais
From Achnasheen, follow the A890 southwest through Glen Carron to Craig. Start from the Achnashellach Forest car park, Craig, cross the road and railway, and follow the forestry track up the Allt a' Chonais glen. Near Pollan Buidhe a wire bridge or a ford crosses the river, then a wet path climbs to the Bealach Bhearnais. The Class 2 west ridge has a few easy hands-on steps before an airy summit crest. Usually combined with Sgurr a' Chaorachain on a circuit. The river crossing is awkward in spate, so check levels before committing. Many walkers cycle the long track to save time.
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 Choinnich
MunrosPeaks near Sgùrr Choinnich
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Sgùrr Choinnich?
Sgùrr Choinnich is 3,278 feet (999 m) tall. It is in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland.
How does Sgùrr Choinnich rank among the Munros?
At 3,278 feet, Sgùrr Choinnich is the 139th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.
How hard is it to hike Sgùrr Choinnich?
The Bealach Bhearnais 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 3,280 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Sgùrr Choinnich?
Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Bealach Bhearnais, covering 11 miles with 3,280 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Can a beginner hike Sgùrr Choinnich?
The Bealach Bhearnais needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 11 miles with 3,280 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 Choinnich?
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 Choinnich 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