Sgùrr a' Mhàim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sgùrr a' Mhàim |
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Sgùrr a' Mhàim with its quartzite cap seen from the Devil’s Ridge
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,099 m (3,606 ft) |
| Prominence | 316 m (1,037 ft) |
| Parent peak | Binnein Mòr |
| Listing | Munro, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Peak of the large rounded hill |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | English approximation: skoor-Ə-vyme |
| Geography | |
| Location | Highland, Scotland |
| Parent range | Mamores |
| OS grid | NN164667 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 41, OS Explorer 392 |
Sgùrr a' Mhàim is a tall and impressive mountain in Scotland. It stands about 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) north-west of Kinlochleven. This mountain is found in the Lochaber area of the Highland region.
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Discover Sgùrr a' Mhàim: A Scottish Mountain
Sgùrr a' Mhàim reaches a height of 1099 meters (3605 feet). This makes it a Munro, which is a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) high. It is the second highest peak in the Mamores mountain range.
You can often see Sgùrr a' Mhàim from Fort William, looking up Glen Nevis. Its top is covered with light-colored quartzite rocks. This gives it a bright, almost white look. Sometimes, people might even mistake it for snow! Its name comes from Gaelic. It means "Peak of the large rounded hill."
Explore the Geography of Sgùrr a' Mhàim
Sgùrr a' Mhàim is part of a famous hiking route called the "Ring of Steall." This exciting walk connects several other Munros. These include An Gearanach, Stob Coire a' Chàirn, and Am Bodach.
The Devil's Ridge: An Exciting Path
On its southern side, Sgùrr a' Mhàim connects to the main Mamores mountains. This connection is made by a special path called The Devil’s Ridge. It is a one-kilometer-long ridge that goes up and down. Some parts of the ridge are narrow and need careful walking.
The most challenging part of The Devil's Ridge is a rocky gap. It is known as "The Bad Step." A famous Scottish hill walker, Hamish Brown, once said it could be jumped across. He also joked that if you missed, you might bounce down into the valleys below!
The Devil's Ridge has its own smaller peak in the middle. This peak is called Stob Choire a' Mhàil and is 990 meters high. The ridge then continues to Sgor an Iubhair. This peak is 1001 meters high. While Sgor an Iubhair looks like a separate mountain, it is considered a "top" of Sgùrr a' Mhàim.
Northern Slopes and Valleys
The northern side of Sgùrr a' Mhàim is very different from its southern side. The northern slopes drop steeply down to Glen Nevis. There are also two deep, bowl-shaped valleys called corries. These corries end suddenly in cliffs that fall sharply into the Nevis gorge.
Climbing Sgùrr a' Mhàim: Popular Routes
You can climb Sgùrr a' Mhàim directly from its northern side. There are three main ridges that lead down into the glen.
Popular Ascent Routes
The most popular way to climb is up the north-west ridge. This route starts from Achriabhach, where there is a car park. You can also climb from upper Glen Nevis. This involves using the north-east or east ridges. These routes begin above the An Steall Ban waterfall. Be aware that these paths might require some scrambling over rocks.
Another way to reach the summit is to go up to the head of Coire a' Mhusgain from Achriabhach. From there, you cross the ridge to the top.
Summit Views
The very top of Sgùrr a' Mhàim has a large pile of stones called a cairn. This cairn is made of light-colored quartzite rocks. From the summit, you get amazing views. You can see the southern side of Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain. You also get a fantastic bird's-eye view looking down into Glen Nevis.
