Glen Shiel & Kintail Guided walks

Beinn Sgritheall | Beinn Fhada | A’Ghlas Bheinn| Falls of Glomach |South Glen Shiel Ridge | 5 Sisters of Kintail | Brothers Ridge | The Saddle

An area perhaps most famous for the South Glen Shiel Ridge (if you’re into Munros and bagging them, that is) that offers up a casual seven Munros in one long day! But it also provides plenty of other options including the Five Sisters of Kintail (on another long day offering) which are three more Munros, and the Brothers Ridge, a further three Munros but in a slightly shorter day. Alongside these, the classic Forcan Ridge, with its superb scramble up to The Saddle, is also a sight to behold.

Between Glenshiel and Kintail there is an abundance of superb walks that could easily be passed-by as you drive along the A87 to the Isle of Skye. Make sure to stop and enjoy the walking as well as a visit to Eilean Donan Castle on the shores of Loch Duich (preferably at high tide if you can).

If you’re interested in exploring Glen Shiel & Kintail with us, check out our guided walks below.

Beinn Sgritheall

This Munro is a firm favourite, starting with the drive which sets the stage. The picturesque drive over to Glenelg and then along the coast to Arnisdale is absolutely stunning. A road toad to nowhere. As you walk up this munro, these views just get better and better. The steep ascent offers plenty of opportunity to rest and admire the views across to Knoydart initially, before the views across to the Isle of Skye appear as you reach the final gentle ridge to the summit. From the summit 360 views look back towards Glenshiel, south into Knoydart and out over the coast, across Skye, out to Rum and much much more. The descent is steep but manageable and allows you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the views towards Skye as you continue to make your way down before heading into some beautiful woodland, before a short road section takes you back to the car.

Fitness: Steep ascent & descent to work the legs, but not a long day, so reasonable hill fitness required but not like the bigger Kintail rounds.

Duration: 5-6 hours (or more if the weather is kind to take in the views!)

Beinn Fhada

This bulk of a massif is accessed along a lovely stalkers path with dramatic scenery, following long rivers and streams into the heart of this mountain. The summit is reached by crossing its more open plateau, where it gives views across to the depths of the Glen Affric peaks as well as back across to the peaks of the 5 Sisters of Kintail ridge and its neighbour A’Ghlas Bheinn.

We will take an out-and-back route for this peak to avoid the need for scrambling and the steeper terrain.

Fitness: Good hill fitness required (especially if you already joined us for the South Glen Shiel Ridge & are on tired legs!)

Duration: 6 - 8 hours

A’Ghlas Bheinn

This fine mountain is tucked away behind Morvich, but the effort to get to it is made up for by the rewarding views. Look out west to the Isle of Skye, Applecross & Torridon. And look down on to Glen Affric and its most remote peaks, as well as across to neighbouring Beinn Fhada, which from the angle shows off all its impressive bulk and ridges.
The walk, takes in beautiful glen walking, crossing large streams (usually on boulders), and descends steep ground into pathless remote terrain. It is a real gem of a walk as well as its superb views.
If there is time & enthusiasm on the day, we may also visit the nearby falls of Glomach from the summit. This is a nice add-on, if the weather is being kind and legs are not too tired, but does require additional walking, both in descent & ascent!

Fitness: Good hill fitness required – a reasonably long day with multiple ascents

Duration: 8-9 hours approx

Falls of Glomach

Approached from a few different locations, this impressive waterfall is huge, with a single leap of 113m (370feet). It is reasonably remote so walking there takes you through impressive glens & is all part of the adventure. The paths around the waterfall are quite steep and require care but all the effort it well worth it.

Please enquire if you would like to book a guide for this walk.

Fitness: This is a reasonably long walk with quite a lot of ascent. Reasonable hill fitness will be required.

Duration: 5-6 hours approx

South Glen Shiel Ridge

Does this classic ridge walk need any introduction?

7 Munros in one ardous day in the hills…

• Creag a'Mhaim

• Druim Shionnach

• Aonach Air Chrith

• Maol Chinn-dearg

• Sgurr an Doire Leathain

• Sgurr an Lochain

• Creag nan Damh

This is a tough day in the hills but a Munro bagger’s delight, offering tremendous views, Munros galore and a ridge that maintains its height, meaning not too much height loss between the summits.

Sitting on the south side of Glen Shiel offers views across the glen to the Brothers & Sisters of Kintail, another pair of classic walks in the area.

Fitness: This is a long mountain day and a tough walk. Good hill fitness is required.

Duration: 9 - 12 hours

5 Sisters of Kintail

This classic ridgewalk takes in the three Munros of Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe, Sgurr na Carnach and Sgurr Fhuaran along the route. On the North side of Glen Shiel there are superb views, including out to South Shiel Ridge, Skye and over Loch Duich towards the end of the day.

The walk is certainly a tough one, ‘easing’ us in with a steep ascent to Bealach an Lapain to test the legs. This is followed by a stunning ridge with a little scrambling and plenty of rocky ground for us to enjoy as we walk along.

Fitness: Good Hill fitness required. Long day out with plenty of ascent to work the legs!

Duration: 8 - 10hours

Brothers Ridge

Maybe lesser known than its siblings, the Five Sisters of Kintail, this walk provides an equally fine ridge walk with a steep ascent & descent.

Sitting on the Northern side of Glen Shiel, this ridge provides more fantastic views of the area and we will be looking across at the South Glen Shiel Ridge. We will tackle three Munros on this walk; Saileag, Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirg & Aonach Meadhoin.

Fitness: Steep ascent & descent. Good hill fitness required (especially if you already joined us for the South Glen Shiel Ridge & are on tired legs!)

Duration: 6 - 8 hours

The Saddle & Sgurr na Sgine (bypassing Forcan Ridge)

This superb outing in Kintail takes on 2 impressive peaks. The Saddle & Sgurr na Sgine. The Saddle, famous not only for the peak itself, but also for the Forcan Ridge, one of the ways on to this summit. Beyond a normal walk, the ridge is a superb way of ascending the saddle in kind conditions, but not the only way.

Why bypass Forcan Ridge?

Bypassing the ridge – to make it more accessible to more people and because not everyone wants to traverse the airy ridge we take the alternative, route bypassing underneath the ridge to the bealach before ascending to the summit from the rear. Still a superb day out and affording superb views of the ridge from below, this is definitely a walk rather than a scramble. Combine this with its rocky neighbour, Sgurr na Sgine, and it’s a fantastic outing into yet another excellent area of Kintail.

Fitness: Good hill fitness required – a reasonably long day with multiple ascents

Duration: 8-9 hours approx

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