Aonach air Chrith

About Aonach air Chrith

Rising as the highest point on the celebrated South Glen Shiel Ridge, this Munro offers a narrow, rocky crest that feels more alpine than its neighbours. The terrain is a mix of steep grass and shattered quartzite, rewarding the steady-footed with a sense of airy exposure and immense views across Loch Quoich.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from Scottish Gaelic as the 'Ridge of Trembling' or 'Shivering Ridge.' This is thought to refer to the exposed, narrow nature of the summit crest, which can feel precarious when the wind picks up across the glen.
• •It serves as the physical high point of the South Glen Shiel Ridge. While many walkers aim to bag all seven Munros on the ridge in a single day, this peak’s 1,020m summit remains the highest point of the entire 13km traverse.
• •The summit provides a premier vantage point for surveying the Knoydart wilderness to the south. Look past the deep waters of Loch Quoich to spot the distinctive, rugged profiles of Ladhar Bheinn and the peaks of the 'Rough Bounds'.
• •To the north, the view is dominated by the formidable Forcan Ridge on The Saddle and the jagged silhouette of the Five Sisters of Kintail, which tower over the opposite side of Glen Shiel.
• •The ridge is so efficiently positioned for hillwalkers that the ascent begins at over 200 metres from the Cluanie Inn, making the reach to the main ridge line feel surprisingly short for a mountain of this height.
• •The 'trembling' described in the name becomes significantly more relatable to the average walker once they find themselves balancing on the narrow summit rocks during a standard West Highland gale.