Aonach Meadhoin Circuit

A relatively short hill day on the eastern end of the Five Sisters / Three Brothers Ridge in Kintail.

Distance: 8.6 km / 5. 4 miles
Ascent: 920 m / 3000 feet
Terrain: Trodden hill path, off path on grassy slopes
Start / finish: Cluanie Inn, Kintail

Route Map

Start the walk from the car park opposite the Cluanie Inn. A grass path heads up the south east shoulder of the hill to reach an 843m top with a cairn. After this point the path becomes more defined as it loses a bit of height and follows the delightful ridge to the subsidiary top of Sgurr an Fhuarail also marked with a cairn. Further height needs to be lost before the final push to the 1001m summit. This ascent route is a well used route but the descent can be varied with a lesser used route.

Descend in a southerly direction off path down a grassy shoulder. Follow this shoulder which steepens lower down. To avoid the steepest ground ensure you keep to the right of a gully which starts to form part way down the hillside. Aim for the trees and the confluence of the burns in front of you.

As you reach the foot of the slope cross the line of old fence posts and join a muddy path. Keep to the path to cross the burns and reach a stone sheep fank. The 800m walk back to the main road is now aided by the path.

On reaching the road it is probably easiest to cross over (take extreme care as it is fast and busy) and walk along the ground to the south of the road. This side of the road seems to be less lumpy and bumpy than the northern side. If the going gets too difficult there is a grass verge alongside the road which can be used instead. It’s just over 2km back to the Cluanie Inn.