Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window up Creag Meagaidh: route map, distance and time
1,128 m · Highland
Creag Meagaidh is a 1128m Munro above Loch Laggan, known for the great cliffs of Coire Ardair and the gap in its ridge called the Window.
A path follows the burn into Coire Ardair. You climb steep ground to the Window and cross the plateau to the summit.
Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window at a glance
| Distance | 16.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 951 m |
| Time up | 4h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 8h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Aberarder car park (Loch Laggan) |
| Start grid reference | NN 534 896 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 418 875 |
Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 4h 5m | 6h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 4h 55m | 8h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 6h 5m | 10h 15m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:20, sunset 16:44. Start by 07:29 to be down before dark, allowing 8h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:22, sunset 16:42. Start by 07:27 to be down before dark, allowing 8h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Creag Meagaidh summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today Wednesday 28 October
Moderate rain, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 40 mph gusting 50 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:20, sunset 16:44.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Mostly dry, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 49 mph, 2% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:22, sunset 16:42.
Best day of the next seven for Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window: Sunday 1 November, with summit gusts around 7 mph and a 24% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Creag Meagaidh forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Creag Meagaidh?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Creag Meagaidh avalanche report.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -7°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 50 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Creag Meagaidh
Creag Meagaidh is a 1128m Munro above Loch Laggan, known for the great cliffs of Coire Ardair and the gap in its ridge called the Window. More about Creag Meagaidh, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Stob Poite Coire Ardair (1,053 m), 1.7 km north-east
- Meall Coire Choille-rais (1,028 m), 1.9 km south-east
- Puist Coire Ardair (1,071 m), 1.9 km east
- An Cearcallach (993 m), 2.2 km south
- Sron a Choire (1,002 m), 3 km east
- Sron a' Choire (1,002 m), 3 km east
Challenges that include Creag Meagaidh
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 534 896, the summit at NN 418 875), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window: questions and answers
How far is Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window?
Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window is 16.7 km one way to the summit of Creag Meagaidh, with 951 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 33.4 km.
How long does Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window take?
About 4h 55m to the summit of Creag Meagaidh and 8h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 10h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window?
Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window starts from Aberarder car park (Loch Laggan). The grid reference is NN 534 896.
Is Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first.
What time should I start Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window today?
By 07:29 at the latest. Sunset on Creag Meagaidh today is 16:44, Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window takes about 8h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Aberarder via Coire Ardair and the Window?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).