Sgorr na Ciche seen from near Ballachulish

A look this week at one of the most recognisable and attractive looking peaks in the Glencoe area.  It’s far from the highest, yet it’s a hill that is well worth the four hours or so that it takes to go up and down.  The Gaelic name of Sgorr na Ciche translates as ‘The Rough Peak of the Breast’, which is anglicised as The Pap of Glencoe – wonder why they called it that, then!

Footbridge near the start

A gradual rise up a stony path to start with

Looking back over the height gain after crossing the Allt a Mhuilinn

For forty years or so I drove right past Sgorr na Ciche many times, on the way to something else either bigger or more exciting, but I finally got round to doing it a couple of years ago.  The most convenient start point is the car park in the woods near Glencoe Lochan, with a short road walk to the start point.  A footbridge marks the start of the ‘proper walking’ and a gradual rise up a stony path leads to a crossing of the Allt a Mhuilinn (Stream of the Mill) – beyond there the height gain gets a bit more serious.

The view west across to Loch Leven

The path gets narrower, the hill gets steeper….

….but the view gets better and better!

There are several paths making their way towards the col between The Pap and Cnap Glas (The Green Hillock), but whichever way you go it gets steeper, though not desperately so.  Along the way a descending path joins from the right – this is the safe descent route coming off Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, the last peak of the Aonach Eagach Ridge (see #52).

The top comes into view

The summit of Sgorr na Ciche – a faint path can just be seen rising from the centre to the right edge

Looking east towards Garbh Bheinn and Loch Leven

At the col the path crosses a gully which is the upper part of the Allt a Mhuilinn.  Beyond there, a path can be seen heading towards the northeast end of the broad summit – this is by far the most straightforward ascent, and the way that most people go.  There are, however, scrambling opportunities in the rock band that the path avoids, at about Grade 1 standard, so it’s a case of take your pick.  Staying on the path has the advantage of an early view towards Garbh Bheinn and Loch Leven.

Below the summit, admiring the view towards Loch Leven

Loch Leven, with Caolasnacon campsite bottom left by the narrowing of the Loch

The first part of the descent from the summit

The summit is rounded, and much bigger than the views from Ballachulish might have suggested.  For many, the way up is also the way down, but on our trip we located a narrow path descending to the west.  This gets steep in places, but never in a life threatening way!  As well as bringing in a bit of variety, the views down to Glencoe Village and Loch Leven are constantly changing,  It’s good, though, when the descent finally starts to level out towards the footbridge near the start.

Looking down to Glencoe village, with the top of Am Meall to the left in the mist

The last steep bit down to the road

Last view of Loch Leven, looking across the top of the woods of Glencoe Lochan

The walk up ‘The Pap of Glencoe’ is far quieter than might be expected – if this was the Lake District you wouldn’t be able to move on the top for other walkers!  Don’t be deceived though – a walk of 7.5 kilometres (4 ½ miles) up a peak a mere 742 metres high, might be seen as a suitable after-dinner stroll, but the walk starts at 10 metres above sea level, and it’s ‘up’ all the way until you reach the top!  That said, it’s a grand hill, worth walking for the views alone – just don’t wait forty years as I did!

View from the summit, looking to the narrows of Loch Leven at the Ballachulish Bridge

Text and images © Paul Shorrock