Stùcd an Lochain

Stùcd an Lochain, at 960-961 metres — "peak of the little lake" — has a start point over 400 metres above sea level, giving one of the shortest ascents of any Munro; the initial climb is steep and boggy, but the ridge traverse that follows around the corrie cradling Lochan nan Cat is a delight, with superb summit views.

The route starts from a small free car park below the Giorra Dam at the eastern end of Loch an Dàimh in Glen Lyon. Crossing the dam (with a detour across the top worthwhile for the reflective views), a small cairn on the left just past the dam — easily missed, so watch carefully — marks the start of the path up the hill, avoiding a boathouse further along. The path climbs a steep, direct, and often icy or boggy north face, essentially a trench filled with rubble, relentlessly up to the ridge, where a line of fence posts leads more easily onward, past the minor top Creag an Fheadain and around the rim of Coire an Lochain's cliffs — from here Stùcd an Lochain looks its very finest, rising dramatically above the near-circular Lochan nan Cat far below. A slight descent precedes the final climb to the summit cairn, perched close to the edge of the crags.

The view is extensive despite the mountain's relatively modest height: Ben Lawers dominates to the south-east, but the finest outlook is a few paces beyond the cairn, taking in the head of Loch an Dàimh, Rannoch Moor, and on clear days the peaks of Glen Coe and Ben Nevis beyond.

The most straightforward return retraces the ascent; descending directly to the reservoir shore is not recommended, since the ground there is notably soft and tiring. Many Munro-baggers combine this peak with neighbouring Meall Buidhe on the far side of the dam, given the short overall distance involved for each; a longer circular alternative also exists taking in the Corbett Sròn a' Choire Chnapanaich.

The out-and-back route from the Giorra Dam is typically three and a half to four and a half hours — one of the shortest full Munro days available, though the steep, often icy north face demands real care, particularly in winter conditions when crampons become essential.

The initial ascent is genuinely steep and can be treacherous when icy or wet, and full navigation remains sensible on the plateau sections in poor visibility — the mountain's brevity shouldn't be mistaken for triviality.

Parking at the Giorra Dam is free; there is no public transport to the start.