Achriabhach via the north-west ridge up Sgurr a' Mhaim (Fort William to Loch Treig & Loch Leven): route map, distance and time
1,099 m · Fort William to Loch Treig & Loch Leven
Sgurr a' Mhaim is a 1099m Munro in the Mamores above Glen Nevis, with a pale quartzite cap and the narrow Devil's Ridge on its southern side.
A steep path climbs the long north-west ridge on grass and then quartzite scree to the summit.
Achriabhach via the north-west ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,041 m |
| Time up | 2h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Achriabhach (Glen Nevis lower falls) |
| Start grid reference | NN 142 683 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 164 667 |
Achriabhach via the north-west ridge 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 the Achriabhach via the north-west ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 0m |
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 07:59, sunset 18:11. Start by 13:56 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:08. Start by 13:53 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Sgurr a' Mhaim summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, up to 2°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -6°C, summit wind 11 mph gusting 20 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:59, sunset 18:11.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Mostly dry, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 32 mph gusting 40 mph, 4% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:08.
Best day of the next seven for the Achriabhach via the north-west ridge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 20 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 41% (Marginal), best around 06:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Sgurr a' Mhaim forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Sgurr a' Mhaim?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Lochaber avalanche report.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -6°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- 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 Sgurr a' Mhaim
Sgurr a' Mhaim is a 1099m Munro in the Mamores above Glen Nevis, with a pale quartzite cap and the narrow Devil's Ridge on its southern side. More about Sgurr a' Mhaim, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Stob Choire a Mhail (990 m), 0.7 km south
- Stob Choire a' Mhail (990 m), 0.7 km south
- Sgurr an Iubhair (1,000 m), 1.2 km south
- Am Bodach (1,032 m), 2 km south-east
- Stob Ban (1,000 m), 2.1 km south-west
- Stob Coire a' Chairn (981 m), 2.2 km east
Challenges that include Sgurr a' Mhaim
More walks from Achriabhach
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Achriabhach via Coire a' Mhusgain up Stob Ban
Other routes up Sgurr a' Mhaim
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devil's Ridge from Sgurr an Iubhair | 5.1 km one way | 1,205 m | 3h 0m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 142 683, the summit at NN 164 667), 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.
Achriabhach via the north-west ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Achriabhach via the north-west ridge?
The Achriabhach via the north-west ridge is 3.8 km one way to the summit of Sgurr a' Mhaim, with 1,041 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.6 km.
How long does the Achriabhach via the north-west ridge take?
About 2h 30m to the summit of Sgurr a' Mhaim and 3h 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 4h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Achriabhach via the north-west ridge?
The Achriabhach via the north-west ridge starts from Achriabhach (Glen Nevis lower falls). The grid reference is NN 142 683.
Is the Achriabhach via the north-west ridge 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 the Achriabhach via the north-west ridge today?
By 13:56 at the latest. Sunset on Sgurr a' Mhaim today is 18:11, The Achriabhach via the north-west ridge takes about 3h 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 the Achriabhach via the north-west ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).