Creag a'Mhàim

Creag a' Mhàim, at 947 metres, is the eastern starting point of the marvellous South Glen Shiel Ridge — a Munro-bagger's delight where more peaks can be climbed in a single day, with minimal descent between summits, than almost anywhere else in the Highlands.

The route starts from a layby along the lane just east of the Cluanie Inn, following a track before a stalkers' path, marked by a small cairn, climbs the mountain's south-eastern shoulder — a long, strenuous ascent widely regarded as the toughest single climb of the entire ridge day. Once the summit is reached, the hardest part is behind, with views opening south towards Loch Loyne.

From here, a very short descent to the first col leads onto the ridge proper, which narrows gradually on the climb towards Druim Shionnach, the second Munro of the traverse.

The full South Glen Shiel Ridge, taking in all seven Munros — Creag a' Mhàim, Druim Shionnach, Aonach air Chrith, Maol Chinn-dearg, Sgùrr an Doire Leathain, Sgùrr an Lochain, and Creag nan Dàmh — is around 25 kilometres with roughly 1,900 metres of ascent, typically ten to eleven hours for a fit party, and can be split into two days using descent ridges partway along if needed.

This is a long, arduous day with steep ground on either side of much of the ridge — route-finding skills, a fast, sustained pace, and full fitness are all essential; the linear nature of the route also means transport logistics (two cars, a bike, or a bus) must be arranged in advance.

Parking in the layby east of the Cluanie Inn is free; Citylink buses between Glasgow and Inverness run along the A87, stopping at Cluanie Inn on request.