Canisp from Loch Awe
Hillwalking route to Canisp from Loch Awe. A shorter approach than from Glencanisp Lodge, with few paths, but some fine rock formations along the way.
Route outline
| Corbetts | |
| Ascent | 740m (2420ft) |
| Distance | 13km (8m) |
| Time | 4:30hr* |
| Start/finish | Loch Awe, Inchnadamph Grid Ref : NC250161 |
| Terrain | |
| Navigation | |
| Effort | |
| Scenery |
Compared to nearby mountains such as Suilven, Quinag and Ben More Assynt, Canisp is less dramatic in outline and, as a result, sees fewer visitors.
The route described here begins from Loch Awe, just north of Ledmore Junction. The lower ground is often wet and boggy, with a faint path winding across moorland before gradually fading into a mix of rock, grass and heather. Higher up, a clearer path reappears and leads onto the rocky summit.
From the top, views extend widely across Assynt, with a particularly fine aspect of Suilven. Quinag also presents an impressive profile from this vantage point.
The route described here begins from Loch Awe, just north of Ledmore Junction. The lower ground is often wet and boggy, with a faint path winding across moorland before gradually fading into a mix of rock, grass and heather. Higher up, a clearer path reappears and leads onto the rocky summit.
From the top, views extend widely across Assynt, with a particularly fine aspect of Suilven. Quinag also presents an impressive profile from this vantage point.
Route map
Route description
1. Getting to Loch Awe
Canisp from the bridge over the River Loanan
In the north-west highlands, the A835 travels northwards of Ullapool to meet with the A837 at Ledmore Junction.
A couple of miles north of the junction, the road passes Loch Awe and at its northern end there is a layby on the opposite side of the road from a small quarry. This layby is used primarily by fishermen, so perhaps better to continue onwards for a further '450yds' to park in a layby just north of the loch.
A couple of miles north of the junction, the road passes Loch Awe and at its northern end there is a layby on the opposite side of the road from a small quarry. This layby is used primarily by fishermen, so perhaps better to continue onwards for a further '450yds' to park in a layby just north of the loch.
2. Canisp
Path in to Canisp
Leaving the roadside, follow a wet path through deer grass aiming for the northern shore of Loch Awe. The path reaches a small wooden bridge 1 over the River Loanan.
Cross the bridge and follow a vague path north-west over soggy ground. After walking over a weird patch of white stones, the path meets with the course of the Allt Mhic Mhurchaidh Gheir - this was completely dry on my most recent visit with grass established along the river bed.
The path then begins to climb and reaches a small bump 2 at c300m, before turning northwards for a bit to lose a little height. The path turns north-west again and meets with a weird quartzite pavement 3 of a watercourse (dried on my visits). The pavement lasts for around 500m, beyond which the path disappears into rocks and heather - look ahead and you should see some cairns to aid route finding.
Further on, the route hits boulderfield after boulderfield and its a case of persisting until around c650m, where terrain becomes easier and more grass-covered and gradually a path begins to form.
Following this path to around c700m, it comes away from the crest and to an abrupt end 4 at a superb viewpoint to Suilven. From here, look on your right and you should be able to see a faint path through rocky ground which leads back onto onto the crest of Canisp's south-east shoulder.
The crest, now grass-covered, leads to a final boulderfield on Canisp's summit 5, where there is a cairn and to the north of which, also sits a large shelter. Outstanding views of Suilven and Quinag from here !
Cross the bridge and follow a vague path north-west over soggy ground. After walking over a weird patch of white stones, the path meets with the course of the Allt Mhic Mhurchaidh Gheir - this was completely dry on my most recent visit with grass established along the river bed.
The path then begins to climb and reaches a small bump 2 at c300m, before turning northwards for a bit to lose a little height. The path turns north-west again and meets with a weird quartzite pavement 3 of a watercourse (dried on my visits). The pavement lasts for around 500m, beyond which the path disappears into rocks and heather - look ahead and you should see some cairns to aid route finding.
Further on, the route hits boulderfield after boulderfield and its a case of persisting until around c650m, where terrain becomes easier and more grass-covered and gradually a path begins to form.
Following this path to around c700m, it comes away from the crest and to an abrupt end 4 at a superb viewpoint to Suilven. From here, look on your right and you should be able to see a faint path through rocky ground which leads back onto onto the crest of Canisp's south-east shoulder.
Suilven from the summit of Canisp
Suilven from the summit of Canisp
3. Return
Breabag from the quartzite pavement
To return, basically retrace your steps !
On my most recent visit, to ease the impact on my joints, after descending to the viewpoint to Suilven 4, I deviated slightly from my uphill route by descending on grass following the course of a burn. This headed east for around 500m and kept slightly to the north of the crest of Canisp's south-east shoulder. I met with my uphill route again by the cairns just before the quartzite pavement.
On my most recent visit, to ease the impact on my joints, after descending to the viewpoint to Suilven 4, I deviated slightly from my uphill route by descending on grass following the course of a burn. This headed east for around 500m and kept slightly to the north of the crest of Canisp's south-east shoulder. I met with my uphill route again by the cairns just before the quartzite pavement.
GPX downloads and maps
Paper maps:
OS Landranger 15
OS Explorer 439
Harvey Mountain Map, Assynt
Route profile
Weather forecasts
| Peak specific | YR.no |
| Met Office | |
| Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
| Windy.com | |
| Seasonal | |
| Midge forecast | |
Alternative and nearby routes
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|
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Breabag and the Bone Caves | |
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Ben More Assynt and Conival from Inchnadamph | |
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Quinag from above Loch Assynt | |
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Cul Mòr from Knockan Crag | |
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Ascent : 720m (2360ft) Distance : 11km (7m) Time : 4hr* | |
* Times shown are estimates – see timing notes on the disclaimer page for more information.
