www. stevenfallon .co.uk
peaks




ascent
distance
time

start/finish

maps
Sgurr nan Coireachan (956m, Munro 206)
Sgurr Thuilm (963m, Munro 193)

Streap (911m, Corbett)

1450m (4700ft)
21km (13m)
running/cycling : 3:25hr, walking : 8hr

Glenfinnan (NM906809)

OS landranger 40
main route summary
Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm lie just outwith the Rough Bounds of Knoydart, but are similar in rugged terrain and complexity to the hills contained there. The views from the summits of both munros are outstanding, particularly westwards along Loch Morar towards Rhum. Most visitors head in from Glenfinnan via the road up the glen to the bothy at Corryhully. Streap, a corbett, can be added in from this direction, or done on its own.


main route outline

Getting there
You could opt to take the train that heads to Mallaig from Fort William and alight at Glenfinnan. Alternatively, drive along the A830 to the visitor centre at Glenfinnan and park just over the bridge at the start of the road up Glen Finnan. There is enough parking for around 10 cars, but this can get busy and you may have to park in the visitor centre car-park, which is charged £2 (at time of writing).

Sgurr nan Coireachan
From the roadside, the private road heads up Glen Finnan under the viaduct - seen in many a film, but most noteably in the Harry Potter series. I usually bike it up here - it's flat enough to cycle and take in the scenery. After around 4km, the track comes to a junction, turn right (signposted) over a bridge onto a rough track and leave bikes by Corryhully bothy - a good place to stop at the end of the day and take in the view. Now on foot, follow the track up for another 1km to its highest point, passing a waterfall on the way. A small cairn and signpost point the way up to Sgurr nan Coireachan off left up a path. This path is followed north for just under 1km, then it turns and zig-zags eastwards up steep ground before becoming more faint as it turns north. The ground underfoot is grass covered and easy going, though occasionally steep. Further up Sgurr a'Choire Riabhaich comes into view - don't head directly up this, follow the path that heads slightly off west, then turns and zig-zags up steep loose ground to gain height. Once onto this minor top, a line of fence posts is picked up and followed to Sgurr nan Coireachan's summit, passing some small lochans on the way. Wonderful views are to be had on crisp days, particularly to the west and north.

Sgurr Thuilm
From Sgurr nan Coireachan's summit, follow the worn path and fence-posts north-east and start to loose height. At around c850m, the path and line of fence posts come to an abrupt drop - the easiest option is to retrace a few steps, turn right, drop a few metres on loose ground and pick up the path below. That's the only difficulty passed - just follow the worn path and fence posts over Meall an Tarmachain, Beinn Garbh and Bealach Leathann to the minor top before Sgurr Thuilm, taking in the views on the way. After this top, some flat (and occasionally wet) ground is passed, then the path seems to contour south-east - leave it and aim directly uphill on a fainter path for the last 100m ascent to Sgurr Thuilm's summit cairn. Stunning views, though different to that from Sgurr nan Coireachan, with Loch Arkaig's full length being put on display.

Return
From the summit, don't follow the path south, this will require some more ascent over rocky terrain. Instead return downhill for around 50m the way you came up, then head south and aim for the source of the Allt Coire a'Bheithe - you'll be able to re-fill waterbottles ! Proceed over grassy and slightly wet ground on a faint path to re-join the main path at around 800m. Follow this over mainly grassy ground down Druim Coire a'Bheithe to the right of way in Glen Finnan. Cross the bridge over the burn, return to Corryhully and cycle back to Glen Finnan.

Zoomable OS 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps are here

routes nearby
South-east
North
East

alternatives

From Loch Arkaig
Less popular than the main route and heading in from Loch Arkaig, a fine day can be had exploring the northern side of these peaks.

Start from the turning circle at the western end of Loch Arkaig (a 30km drive from Spean Bridge along a narrow winding road is required to get there). Follow the track west and turn down to Strathan. Into the forest, follow the track for a further 1km, then turn south on a path out of the forest and cross the River Pean by the bridge. Cross the Allt Cuirnean, then leave the path and aim south-west uphill on pathless grassy ground. A couple of crags will need avoiding, otherwise the route is obvious and straightforward up to Meall an Fhir-eoin. Head south from this minor top and drop slightly, then gradually turn south-west and climb up Sgurr Thuilm.

Continue along to Sgurr nan Coireachan as described in reverse on the left, then return to the bealach between Sgurr nan Coireachan and Meall an Tarmachan. Head north-east on grass and tussock covered ground and drop down to Glen Pean near the bothy and edge of the forest. The river can be difficult to cross in spate. Pick up the path at the edge of the forest and return to Strathan.

Ascent : 1575m, distance : 21km


Adding Streap onto the main route
At 909m, Streap misses out being a munro by just 5m. However this is a rugged hill with some scrambling required to attain the summit.

From Glenfinnan, bag the two munros as described on the left and start to descend Sgurr Thuilm. As you reach around c400m, turn south off the path and head down steep grassy and tussocky ground and drop to the burn at around c275m. Directly ahead, a burn flows down from Streap's crest, to the right of which a line of rocky crags can be seen running uphill from right to left. Strike directly uphill (south-east), aiming for the start of these crags, then follow grassy ground above these crags (north-east) to join the crest around 500m from the summit. Ahead the ridge narrows and becomes a bit scary - some easy scrambling is all that is required to progress to the summit.

Return down Streap by the route up, then head back to Corryhully and bike it back to Glenfinnan.

Additional ascent : 660m, additional distance : 5km
glenfinnan