The Saddle summit and Sgurr na Forcan from the west

The Saddle via the Forcan Ridge

Hillwalking and rock-scrambling route up The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine via the Forcan Ridge

The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine can be combined as a short horseshoe route, giving plenty of time to enjoy rock-scrambling along the famed Forcan Ridge.



Route outline


Munros

The Saddle, 

Sgurr na Sgine

Ascent 1600m (5240ft)
Distance 14km (9m)
Time 6:10hr
Start/finish Glen Shiel
Grid Ref : NG968145
Terrain
easy hard
Nav
easy hard
Effort
easy hard
Scenery
ok fab


The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine are two Munro peaks standing by the western end of Glen Shiel close to Kintail. A horseshoe route over these summits takes in the famed Forcan Ridge which provides some thrilling but fairly easy rock scrambling. A bypass route is available in poor weather conditions.

The route can be extended to explore the Munro Tops of Spidean Dhomhuill Bhric and Sgurr Leac nan Each, the nearby Corbett peak of Buidhe Bheinn or even onto Creag nan Damh and the South Glen Shiel Ridge.



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Route description


1. Getting to Glen Shiel

Starting up the path, Faochag in view

Starting up the path, Faochag in view

The A87 begins its scenic journey at Invergarry, where it branches off from the A82 in the heart of the Great Glen, heading westwards toward Kintail and eventually reaching the Isle of Skye.

Through the rugged beauty of Glen Loyne and into the tranquil Glen Moriston, the A87 meets with the A887, which travels southwestwards from Invermoriston, further up the Great Glen from Invergarry and on the shores of Loch Ness.

Beyond this junction lies the expanse of Loch Cluanie, held at its eastern end by a dam. At the loch's western end, you'll find the welcoming Cluanie Inn - a fine sociable place for food or or an overnight stay. Continuing west from the inn, the road rises again, then dips dramatically into the wilds of Glen Shiel, tracing the path of the River Shiel as it cuts through the landscape.

Roughly 13 kilometers beyond the inn, on a sweeping curve, is a spacious layby on the northern side of the road, from where this route begins. The layby accommodates around 10 vehicles, and if it's full, other parking spots are just a short distance east.


2. The Saddle via the Forcan Ridge

On the Forcan Ridge, just beyond the 'bad step'

On the Forcan Ridge, just beyond the 'bad step'

From the layby, walk about 100m south along the road until you reach a break in the gorse bushes on the west side, where an estate track begins. Pass through the gap a gate in a fenceline and follow the track as it transitions into a stalker's path, crossing moorland before gradually climbing.

After about 200m of ascent, the path veers north-west . At this point, you can either leave the path to tackle a direct climb up a steep, grassy hillside to Meallan Odhar or continue along the stalker's path for a more gradual ascent. Continuing along the path leads to Bealach na Craoibhe , from where a short detour northwards bags the Graham hill of Biod an Fhithich and where the path turns south and becomes rougher as it approaches Meallan Odhar from the north.

From Meallan Odhar, follow the path south-west across a fairly level expanse to a cairn marking the start of a wall. Above and directly ahead is the Forcan Ridge, with a bypass path off to the left (detailed in the next section).

Begin the climb up the ridge - it's a sustained but manageable scramble to reach the summit of Sgurr na Forcan . Any challenging sections can be avoided by staying slightly to the right (north) of the crest.

Just beyond Sgurr na Forcan's summit is the 'bad step,' an intimidating 20m rocky drop. For those with a good head for heights, a direct descent can be made using good holds on the rock or by abseiling. Alternatively, an easier bypass path to the left (south) can be taken, which leads down a chimney and rejoins the route just below the ridgeline.

By the trig point looking out toBeinn Sgritheall and Skye

By the trig point looking out toBeinn Sgritheall and Skye

Beyond the 'bad step,' a path continues over easier terrain along the ridge, with any encountered scrambling being straightforward. Eventually, the cairn on the rocky summit of The Saddle is gained. From here, a bit more hands-on rock to descend to grass leads to the trig point on The Saddle, about 150m south-west of the summit - a perfect spot to pause, take in the views, and reflect on the ridge just conquered.

By the trig point looking out toBeinn Sgritheall and Skye

By the trig point looking out toBeinn Sgritheall and Skye


3. Forcan Ridge bypass and Munro Tops

By-passing the Forcan Ridge

By-passing the Forcan Ridge

While the highlight of ascending The Saddle is undoubtedly the thrilling traverse of the Forcan Ridge, unfavourable weather may require a more sheltered alternative. In such conditions, an excellent route runs beneath the southern face of the ridge.

From the cairn at the base of the initial rise of the Forcan Ridge, rather than heading directly uphill, follow a rough path alongside an old wall, heading south-west. Skirting below the ridge, continue along the wall for about 500m before leaving it where it turns south. From here, ascend grassy slopes, gaining just over 100m in elevation, until you meet another old wall. Follow this wall as it runs below the Forcan Ridge, climbing another 100m or so, crossing a boulder-field along the way. Eventually, a worn, loose path is picked up and leads to the plateau where The Saddle's trig point stands, with just a short 150m detour required to reach the summit cairn .

Returning from Spidean Dhomhuill Bhric

Returning from Spidean Dhomhuill Bhric

In addition to Sgurr na Forcan, the ridge boasts two other 'Munro Tops': Spidean Dhomhuill Bhric and Sgurr Leac nan Each . Both peaks lie to the west of The Saddle and are fairly straightforward to reach, following a faint path that traces the crest of the ridge. The remains of an old wall also provide useful navigation for part of the route. The total there-and-back detour to the Munro Tops covers just under 4km, with an additional ascent of over 400m.

Returning from Spidean Dhomhuill Bhric

Returning from Spidean Dhomhuill Bhric


4. Sgurr na Sgine

Forcan Ridge above the lochan on Bealach Coire Mhalagain

Forcan Ridge above the lochan on Bealach Coire Mhalagain

Heading south for a short distance from the trig point on The Saddle's flat, grassy summit, a path descending eastward is picked up. Initially steep, the path leads through bouldery ground by the remains of an old wall before turning southeast over grassy, occasionally boggy terrain towards Bealach Coire Mhalagain , the col between Sgurr na Forcan and Faochag. Nearing the col, a line of old fence posts are met leading to the remains of an iron gate by a couple of lochans at the col.

From the col, a faint path is followed aside the posts, before veering right up rising bouldery ground leading to the crest between Faochag and Sgurr na Sgine. On the crest the line of posts is met again and followed south-west onto Sgurr na Sgine's northern top .

Heading up from Bealach Coire Mhalagain to Sgurr na Sgine

Heading up from Bealach Coire Mhalagain to Sgurr na Sgine

Sgurr na Sgine's summit lies 400m to the southeast of the northern top, on which a cairn stands overlooking a dramatic drop eastwards and from where stunning views are to be had on clear days, particularly over to the mountains of Knoydart.

Heading up from Bealach Coire Mhalagain to Sgurr na Sgine

Heading up from Bealach Coire Mhalagain to Sgurr na Sgine


5. Return over Faochag

On Sgurr na Sgine's northern shoulder

On Sgurr na Sgine's northern shoulder

To begin a descent from Sgurr na Sgine, steps are retraced over the northern top and down to the crest between Sgurr na Sgine and Faochag.

The crest is then followed as it curves eastward, narrowing before climbing up to Faochag's summit . Despite being classified as a 'Corbett Top', Faochag has a striking profile with steep drops on either side.

Descending Faochag to Glen Shiel

Descending Faochag to Glen Shiel

Beyond the summit, a clear path leads down its northeast shoulder, with an 800m continuous knee-bashing descent. Lower down, the Allt Mhalagain is crossed via an old footbridge to reach the roadside, about 500m from the starting point.

Descending Faochag to Glen Shiel

Descending Faochag to Glen Shiel


6. On to the South Glen Shiel Ridge or Buidhe Bheinn

On Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais looking back to Sgurr na Sgine

On Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais looking back to Sgurr na Sgine

Rather than returning directly to the roadside from Sgurr na Sgine, the route can be extended eastward to the peaks of the South Glen Shiel Ridge or toward Buidhe Bheinn overlooking Loch Hourn.

Due to the very steep and significant drop east of Sgurr na Sgine's summit, a detour is necessary to continue eastwards. So, from the cairn, head southwest for 300m, descending 100m on a slope pitted with stones and boulders, then turn south to descend grassy slopes to reach an old wall to follow east towards Bealach an Toiteil .

To the east of the col, keeping slightly south of the crest to avoid some fairly tricky loose ground, aim up Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais's western shoulder. A wall is met further up and is followed to Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais's summit cairn .

From Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais's summit, continue along the wall and posts south-eastwards. Around 250m after leaving the summit, a junction in the wall is met - to the right the wall leads southwards towards the Corbett Buidhe Bheinn . Keeping left, the wall can be traced much of the way down to Bealach Duibh Leac from where a direct return can be made down a stalker's path to the roadside, or a route continues onwards to Creag nan Damh and the other Munro peaks of South Glen Shiel Ridge.

On Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais looking along the South Glen Shiel Ridge

On Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais looking along the South Glen Shiel Ridge

(Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais and Buidhe Bheinn were both previously shown on OS maps with height of 885m and therefore both categorised as a Corbett. However after re-measurement, Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais was demoted to mere 'Corbett Top'. More information can be found on Buidhe Bheinn's webpage.)

On Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais looking along the South Glen Shiel Ridge

On Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais looking along the South Glen Shiel Ridge





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Alternative and nearby routes »


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