Walk Profile

Five Sisters

Introduction
The Five Sisters of Kintail lie at the head of Loch Duich and are a range of peaks connected by a narrow ridge on the northern side of Glen Shiel. This is a fairly tough walk, some would say a classic, with a very steep climb from the valley floor of 1000m to get onto the ridge, a long ridge walk with a significant amount of additional ascent and descent followed by a fairly long and sometimes steep descent. The Five Sisters consist of Sgurr nan Spainteach (990m), Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe (1027m), Sgurr na Carnach (1002m), Sgurr Fhuaran (1067m) and Sgurr nan Saighead (929m).

The whole area around Glen Shiel, both to the north and south, offers magnificent rugged mountain scenery and climbing throughout the year. This appears to be a totally unspoiled part of Scotland that is rich in history and legend as well as natural beauty.

It is worth pointing out at no point is the Five Sisters ridge really exposed, however once started it is probably worth continuing to the end rather than trying to descend the way you climb onto the ridge or via another drop off point because none seem really straight forward especially if it is wet.

Accommodation
We stayed at the Ratagan Youth Hostel, approximately 2 miles from Shiel Bridge. This is a very pleasant Youth Hostel with picture postcard views of the Five Sisters and across Loch Duich. It offers excellent facilities of a very reasonable standard at a very reasonable price including Bunks with Duvet's, a fully furnished kitchen and dining area, lounge and drying facilities!

Food and Drink
The closest Hostelry, ok Pub, is the Kintail Lodge Hotel on the opposite bank of Loch Duich. This is about 2 miles by road so a car is advisable. They offer a good selection of food and Ale at reasonable prices. The food is well presented and I thought good value for money.
A further half-mile round on the A87 is a very nice restaurant - The Jacobite. The food was of an excellent standard and very good value for money. The staff were very attentive, pleasant and really couldn't do enough for you - well worth a visit.

Information
Map: OS Sheet 33
Start: NH 007 137
Length: 14.5 km approx
Max Height: 1,020 Mtrs
Grade: Hard - Strenuous
Est.Time: 6-7 Hrs
 

Map of Walk