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Loch shoreline with pine trees, backed by a steep conical peak
Argyll and Bute

The Pap of Glencoe

The pointed peak above Glencoe village, a steep, rough climb to a wide view over Loch Leven.

Welcome

The Pap of Glencoe, Sgòrr na Cìche in Gaelic, is the neat, pointed peak that rises above Glencoe village and the lower end of the glen, and it is one of the most familiar landmarks around Loch Leven.

It is not high, but the view from the top is wide, and the walk up is steep and surprisingly rough.

The path starts from a forest track half a kilometre along the minor road from the Bridge of Coe, where there is parking, and climbs a steep, boggy and badly eroded path to the ridge; the final pull up the Pap itself is rocky and close to a scramble. From the top the view over Loch Leven and the hills all around is a sensational panorama for such a small hill. The walk is about seven kilometres with 716 metres of ascent, and takes three and a half to five hours. Local and Citylink buses stop at Glencoe village.

A short drive awayKingshouse HotelThe old drovers' inn at the head of Glencoe, rebuilt as a hotel and bunkhouse, with a climbers' bar and red deer grazing by the door.4 min by roadSee itKingshouse Hotel
Before you go

The walk is 7 km with 716 m of ascent, 3.5 to 5 hours, from parking on a forest track 500 m along the minor road from the Bridge of Coe.

The path is steep, boggy and eroded; the top is rocky.

Distance
7 km, 716 m of ascent, 3.5 to 5 hours.
Start
Forest track near the Bridge of Coe.
Where it is

Above Glencoe village.

Close byIn Glen Coe.
  1. GlencoeGlencoeScotland's most famous glen, walled in by the Three Sisters and the Aonach Eagach, and remembered for the massacre of 1692.3 miles4 min by road
  2. Thatched white cottage with black door, chimneys and roadside pavementGlencoe Folk MuseumA folk museum in Glencoe village, at the Loch Leven end of the glen.3 miles4 min by road
  3. The Pap of Glencoe reflected in the lochan among autumn trees.Glencoe LochanA still lochan above Glencoe village, ringed by Canadian trees planted for a homesick wife and mirroring the Pap of Glencoe.3 miles6 min by road
  4. Glencoe Visitor CentreGlencoe Visitor Centre4 miles8 min by road
  5. Aonach EagachAonach EagachGlen Coe's northern wall and the narrowest ridge on the British mainland, a serious scramble between two Munros.6 miles8 min by road
Directions
Hotel family room with a double bed and two single bedsRestaurantsClachaig Inn1.7 miles over the water
A footbridge over the river to the white cottage of Achnambeithach, the glen rising behind.AttractionsLoch Achtriochtan2.3 miles over the water
Kingshouse Hotel beneath cloud-covered mountains, rain pooling on the car parkRestaurantsKingshouse Hotel2.7 miles
KinlochlevenAttractionsKinlochleven4.2 miles
Snow on the mountains of Glen Coe under a blue sky.AttractionsThe Lost Valley4.7 miles
Twin peaks of the Three Sisters rise above Glencoe's misty valleyAttractionsThree Sisters of Glencoe5.6 miles
BallachulishWoodlands GlencoeSleeps 2 · 6.0 miles
The rough path of the West Highland Way climbing through a wide, bare glen towards the hills.AttractionsThe Devil’s Staircase6.1 miles
A bedroom with tartan wallpaper and a bay window looking out over Loch Linnhe.RestaurantsLodge on the Loch7.2 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the hill, and when each is next free.

Woodlands Glencoe
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Ballachulish
  • 5 miles from the Pap
Check datesStormhouse South, Argyll and ButeStormhouse South
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 14 miles from the Pap
Free 31 Jan – 5 FebStormhouse North, Argyll and ButeStormhouse North
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 14 miles from the Pap
Free 1–6 FebSlochd, Argyll and ButeSlochd
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 16 miles from the Pap
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Argyll and ButeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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