Explore Picturesque Corrour and Climb One of the Easiest Munros

Would you like to experience the remoteness of the Scottish Highlands in a day and be able to stand on the top of one of Scotland’s famous munros (a Scottish hill over 3000ft/914m high)? The good news is that if you know where to go, these are very attainable goals. Even if you are not an experienced hillwalker or rambler. Corrour is one of the last strongholds of Scottish wilderness. Not accessible by public roads, the way to reach it is to take a train to the picturesque Corrour station. Just a few stops along from Fort William, heading in to explore Corrour is an excellent way to leave behind the busy slopes of Britain’s highest mountain Ben Nevis, or the tourist buses lining up Glen Nevis on summer days. Here on the shores of the beautiful Loch Ossian, you will have space to breathe and enjoy nature.

How to get to Corrour?

The only transport you can reach Corrour by is the train. The Corrour railway station lies on the West Highland mainline between Glasgow in the south and Fort William in the north. The only other way of reaching this tucked away nook of the world is by foot or bike. However, this involves long and arduous, but scenic, walking routes from Spean Bridge, Kinlochleven or Rannoch. However, with a few daily trains stopping at Corrour, the train is definitely the easiest way to get there. Whether you are coming from north or south, it is possible to take a morning train there, spend an enjoyable day walking and take an evening train back. These trains also allow you to bring a bike, which can be a great way to explore Corrour and head a bit further afield! Please note that the station itself is unmanned and has minimal facilities.

What’s there to do in Corrour?

The main thing people come here to do is to soak up the amazing nature. It is totally worth it to just come here and explore Corrour, Loch Ossian and the nearby area. Have a picnic, wander around and enjoy the outdoors. However, if you prefer to have a bigger objective for your day, there are several enjoyable walks in the area:

The Loch Ossian Circuit

A popular option for families, or people just wanting a little taster of the stunning scenery, is to do a half-day hike around Loch Ossian. This low-level route around the loch stays on good paths and forestry roads. It also visits the impressive Corrour Estate at the far end of the loch. This walk is relatively flat and easy but still covers a long distance of 14km/9mi in a very remote position. So it is not to be underestimated! This route can also be cycled with a mountain bike. Have a look at the Walkhighlands description of the walk (including maps) here.

Leum Uilleim from Corrour station

A more adventurous option is to walk up Leum Uilleim. This characterful hill is just below a munro in height. It gives a nice gentle outing with a gradual climb up to the height of 909m. However, with the starting height of 400m above sea level at Corrour station, the elevation gain for the day remains at 500m. A very achievable goal! This Corbett also offers nice views over Rannoch Moor and Ben Nevis in the distance. Look here for the Walkhighlands description.

Beinn na Lap

Just a smidgen bigger than Leum Uilleim, Beinn na Lap might be one of the easiest munros to climb in Scotland. Read below for my description of the walk!

Sgor Gaibhre and Carn Dearg from Corrour

The most challenging of the commonly done walks near Corrour station! This loop takes in two munros and offers amazing views over the surrounding landscape. At nearly 1000m of elevation gain over 22km, this is a full on hillwalk which should only be attempted if you are reasonably fit and able to navigate on pathless terrain. However, if you are looking for a rewarding hill day in a remote and beautiful part of Scotland, definitely give this one a go! For the Walkhighlands description, see here.

A little bit of remote luxury

Other things to do in the area include staying in or visiting the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel. This amazingly situated eco-hostel is family friendly and a popular spot for a unique stay with basic facilities in the Scottish Highlands.

The old railway building at Corrour Station also now houses the Corrour Station House restaurant. It is a great place to stop on your trip to explore Corrour, Loch Ossian and the surrounding hills. Offering tasty meals made with local ingredients, this remote and unique restaurant is open March to October 7 days a week. It can get busy though, so over the summer it is best to call ahead! They now also offer limited options for accommodation in the renovated railway buildings. Have a look on their website, if you are looking for a little bit of luxury and a whole lot of uniqueness from your holiday to the Highlands!

Walking up Beinn Na Lap – one of Scotland’s easiest munros

Disclaimer: This munro might be physically easier than most, but its remote location makes it a serious undertaking. Always make sure that you are appropriately equipped for hillwalking in Scotland. This includes having extra layers, good footwear, extra food and water, a first aid kit and a map and compass with you. Note that winter walking requires more equipment and skills. This area has intermittent phone signal, so it is not recommended to rely on phones for navigation or safety.

Beinn na Lap is a lovely little hill and definitely achievable for most people. Because Corrour station is located at 400m above the sea level, the overall elevation required to get to the top of the hill is only a little over 500m. Not too bad. After leaving the initial Land Rover track on the shores of Loch Ossian, there are no paths to follow. However, the grassy slopes of Beinn na Lap are quite easy to climb despite being boggy in places. Drier ground is reached at roughly 800m when the hillside gradually evens out to meet the boulder strewn summit plateau. In order to reach the actual summit cairn and truly tick this munro off your list, it is necessary to walk right to the back of the summit. This takes you past a few small humps and a small wind shelter, which might trick you to think you have reached the summit too early. On a clear day the views from Beinn Na Lap are lovely and well worth the trip. Due to its small size the hill can be done in a few hours, leaving ample time for exploration of the nearby Loch Ossian.

Other posts you might be interested in:

Scotland’s Hidden Gems: A Hill Walk by Loch Quoich

How to Start Hiking: A Guide to Hiking for Beginners

How to Fit Everyday Adventures into Your Life

I hope you have found this article interesting and helpful and that it has given you the inspiration to come and explore Corrour! To see more about my adventures in the wild spaces of the UK, follow me on Instagram and Pinterest. To support Hill Days and allow me to create more content like this, subscribe to the Newsletter!