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Sgorr Dhonuill (Beinn a' Bheithir)

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
1001 m (3284 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NN04035555
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
137 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Donald's rocky peak (Hill of the thunderbolt)
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  41   Ben Nevis, Fort William & Glen Coe
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Beinn a' Bheithir is the classic horseshoe ridge with two peaks qualifying as Munros, Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill. These peaks are less than 2km apart and always climbed together.

Sgorr Dhonuill is the larger of the two and has two short and craggy N ridges which should be avoided plus a very broad W ridge that curves N. Sgorr Dhonuill has steep and craggy N and S slopes.

The normal approach is from Sgorr Dhearg, but an ascent can be made from Gleann a Chaolais to the N onto the col between Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill, or from the N on the broad W Ridge.

Hazards you may encounter on Sgorr Dhonuill include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Scrambling (minor), easy hand and footholds.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Sgorr Dhonuill

Looking north towards Ballachullish from the col between Sgorr Dhonuill and Sgorr Dhearg.

© Craig Robinson
Image by Craig Robinson

Sgorr Dhonuill from the summit of Sgorr Dhearg.

© Craig Robinson
Image by Craig Robinson

Sgorr Dhonuill from the forest track in Gleann a Chaolais. 4 February 2006

© Graham Bell
Image by Graham Bell

Sgorr Dhonuill emerging from cloud, viewed from Sgorr Dhearg

© Neil Tilsley
Image by Neil Tilsley
View All 20 Images for Sgorr Dhonuill

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Bidean nan Bian
by Metcheck
Sgorr Dhonuill Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

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The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Sgorr Dhonuill.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Sgorr Dhonuill
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1395 m 14.10 km 5.5 hrs Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill  Moderate climb with a short easy scramble at the top of the first ascent.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Sgorr Dhonuill

  Baggers Gallery for Sgorr Dhonuill

Me at the summit of a great days walking, with danny,kriss,and daw from Auchinleck Hillwalking club,

© John Frew
Image by John Frew

Lynda & Scott at summit of Sgorr Dhonuill 9th Apr 2011 - Sgorr Dhearg behind.

© Lynda Langlands
Image by Lynda Langlands

Me on top of Sgorr Dhonuill with Sgorr Dhearg in the background.

© Steve Marlow
Image by Steve Marlow

Sgorr Dhonuill (Beinn a' Bheithir) Aug'10

© Mike Blake
Image by Mike Blake
View All 13 Baggers Images for Sgorr Dhonuill
The logging section stores any entries for Sgorr Dhonuill in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
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Recently Climbed By
Stephen Ferrie on 30 Sep 2023
Will Gilbertson on 09 Jul 2023
Adam Burley on 28 May 2023
David McSporran on 19 Apr 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill
by Doug Tulloch
Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill
by Philip McLoone
Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill
by Alasdair Cairns
Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill
by William McGilvray
Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill
by Mark Rudzinski
Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill
by Alan Parker
Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill
by Douglas Mason
Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill
by Paul Buchanan
Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill
by David McSporran

Post a few words about Sgorr Dhonuill or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
James Corrigan
wrote on
July 28, 2011
Start Ballachilish walking Sgorr Bhan.Sgorr Dearg to Beallach for Sgorr Dhonill which has a drop to 757m.Mindfull this ascent is one thing after a hard walk from Ballachulish then re ascent of Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Bhan would have to be taken head on as that is where the car was left.This seemed favourable to the ugly clumps of Pine and the horror stories of getting lost amongst what awaits at the head of A828.Straightforward ascent to Sgorr Dhonill except for a wee scramble near the top and a scary looking sheer face, plunging dramatically in to a deep Coire.There is a fine view of the entire Horseshoe from here. Sgorr Bhan looking brilliant White in the intense Sun.The narrow ridges of the entire mountain look Arete style.Very dramatic.Fraochaidh looks wild and dramtic below.If you like Bidean which is seen very well from here, then this one will certainly appeal.Views of Loch Linnhe and out to Sea made for some great relaxation before a tough return journey to Ballachulish
Gordon Miller
wrote on
September 18, 2009
The forest is absolutely impenetrable. You are not likely to to make your way through it for any distance, so your stuck with taking the forest tracks. Cross the burn at the first bridge and take a right. this will fold back on itself to a Northerly direction but don't worry. It will come out on a forest type road for vehicles. If you go left for a few yards you'll see the path continue up into the trees on the right. Similarly further on, you'll see the track continue just to the left as you come out to a turning circle for forest traffic, though this one is more obvious. The rest is easy!!
David Harbottle
wrote on
November 20, 2007
Here's a video diary of my traverse of Beinn a'Bheithir, with my son Mark (June 2007): http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gydl_glencoe-jun07-day-2_people
Jacqui Durie
wrote on
June 18, 2006
And also watch out for less scary but still dangerous wire from fencing lying about on path down between the two summits.....my dog almost came to grief on numerous portions of it.
Roy Smart
wrote on
December 3, 2002
Watch out for the scary option on the path just to the south of the summit. You do not have to walk the 4 foot ledge with an unprotected drop of 200 feet over which you cannot see the bottom of the cliffs! There is a path for the faint-hearted well off the cliffs.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

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