The Most Difficult Munro to Climb, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Munro you think is the most difficult!
Updated on Apr 14, 2024 06:39
Navigating the rugged terrain of Munros presents a unique challenge to adventurers. Determining which Munro stands as the most challenging can be a subjective experience, varying widely depending on the climber's skill level, weather conditions, and personal endurance. Having a ranked list of the most difficult Munros helps climbers prepare effectively, setting appropriate expectations for their adventures.
By participating in the voting process, climbers contribute to a collective knowledge base, enhancing the accuracy of the ranking. This communal effort assists both novice and experienced climbers in selecting their next big challenge. A dynamic, community-driven ranking not only fosters a shared spirit of adventure but also elevates the safety and enjoyment of tackling these peaks.
What Is the Most Difficult Munro to Climb?
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173votesConsidered one of the most challenging Munros due to its steep and rocky terrain, An Teallach offers a number of challenging routes to the summit. Climbers must navigate narrow ridges and steep drops, making it a difficult ascent for even experienced hikers.An Teallach is a mountain located in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It is widely regarded as one of the most challenging Munros to climb due to its steep and rugged terrain. The name 'An Teallach' translates to 'The Anvil' in Scottish Gaelic, which perfectly describes its distinctive shape and rocky features. The mountain provides breathtaking views of nearby peaks, deep lochs, and the rugged coastline. An Teallach offers various routes for climbers, each presenting their own level of difficulty.
- Location: Northwest Highlands of Scotland
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Translation: The Anvil
- Shape: Distinctive and rugged
- Terrain: Steep and rocky
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256votesWith its sharp crests and steep drops, Liathach is considered one of the most challenging Munros in Scotland. The mountain offers a number of challenging routes to the summit, including the famous traverse of the entire ridge.Liathach is a majestic mountain located in the Torridon region of the Scottish Highlands. Rising impressively above Loch Torridon, it stands as one of the most challenging Munros to climb. Its rugged terrain, steep slopes, and exposed ridges make it a favorite among experienced mountaineers and hikers seeking a thrilling adventure.
- Elevation: 1,055 meters (3,461 feet)
- Location: Torridon, Scottish Highlands
- Region: Highlands and Islands
- Range: Torridon Hills
- Difficulty: Hard
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318votes
Paul Hermans · CC BY-SA 3.0This narrow ridge walk offers some of the most stunning views in Scotland, but it also requires a high degree of skill and experience to complete. The ridge is narrow and exposed, with steep drops on either side, making it a challenging climb for even experienced hikers.Aonach Eagach is a challenging and iconic mountain ridge located in the Scottish Highlands. It stretches for approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) across the mountains of Glen Coe, offering breathtaking views and exhilarating scrambling routes.- Elevation: 967 meters (3,173 feet)
- Difficulty: Difficult and demanding ascent with exposed scrambling and narrow ridge
- Length: Approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles)
- Duration: 6-8 hours round-trip
- Start Point: Parking area near the Clachaig Inn, Glen Coe
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417votes
Beinn Eighe
Natural formationThis mountain offers a number of challenging routes to the summit, including the infamous triple buttress climb. The terrain is steep and rocky, with narrow ridges and steep drops, making it a challenging climb for even experienced hikers.Beinn Eighe is a mountain in the Torridon Hills of Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands. It is considered one of the most difficult Munros to climb due to its rugged terrain and challenging ascent. The mountain offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and is a popular destination for experienced hikers and mountaineers.- Height: 1,010 meters (3,314 feet)
- Location: Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands
- Range: Torridon Hills
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Ascent: Rugged terrain
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59votes
Adrian Pingstone · Public domainThis peak is known for its steep and rocky terrain, as well as its narrow ridges and steep drops. Climbers must navigate a number of challenging routes to the summit, making it a difficult ascent for even experienced hikers.Sgurr nan Gillean is a prominent mountain located in the Cuillin range on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It is considered one of the most challenging Munros to climb, offering a thrilling and demanding ascent.- Elevation: 964 meters (3,162 feet)
- Difficulty: Difficult and technical terrain with scrambling sections
- Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland
- Range: Cuillin
- First ascent: Unknown, but likely early climbers of the Cuillin range
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63votesThis mountain is known for its steep and rocky terrain, as well as its narrow ridges and steep drops. Climbers must navigate a number of challenging routes to the summit, making it a difficult ascent for even experienced hikers.Bla Bheinn, also known as Blaven, is a prominent Munro located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. With its distinctive and rugged appearance, it is considered one of the most challenging Munros to climb. Bla Bheinn offers a remarkable mountaineering experience to those daring enough to take on its steep slopes and rocky terrain. The summit provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Cuillin Ridge and the neighboring Isle of Rum.
- Elevation: 928 meters (3,041 feet)
- Prominence: 862 meters (2,828 feet)
- Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Terrain: Steep slopes, rocky terrain
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74votesAlthough Ben Nevis is the highest peak in Scotland, it is not considered the most difficult Munro to climb. However, the mountain still offers a number of challenging routes to the summit, including the famous CMD arete. Climbers must navigate steep drops and narrow ridges, as well as unpredictable weather conditions, making it a challenging climb for even experienced hikers.Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles, located in the western part of Scotland. Its majestic beauty and challenging trails make it one of the most popular hikes in the country. The mountain is known for its stunning landscapes, including rugged cliffs, expansive valleys, and picturesque lakes. A hike up Ben Nevis offers breathtaking panoramic views, especially from the summit.
- Elevation: 1,345 meters (4,413 feet)
- Prominence: 1,344 meters (4,409 feet)
- Location: Lochaber, Highland, Scotland
- Coordinates: 56.7969° N, 5.0037° W
- Difficulty: Challenging
Ben Nevis in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular hill
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85votes
Grinner at English Wikipedia · Public domainThis mountain offers a number of challenging routes to the summit, including the infamous Devil's Ridge. The terrain is steep and rocky, with narrow ridges and steep drops, making it a challenging climb for even experienced hikers.Beinn a' Bheithir is a mountain located in the Scottish Highlands, near Ballachulish. It is regarded as one of the most difficult Munros to climb, with its steep and rocky terrain challenging even experienced hikers. The mountain offers breathtaking panoramic views of Loch Leven and the surrounding areas.- Location: Scottish Highlands, near Ballachulish
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Terrain: Steep and rocky
- Elevation: 1,044 meters (3,425 feet)
- Prominence: 909 meters (2,983 feet)
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99votesThis mountain is known for its steep and rocky terrain, as well as its narrow ridges and steep drops. Climbers must navigate a number of challenging routes to the summit, making it a difficult ascent for even experienced hikers.Buachaille Etive Mor is a mountain located in the Scottish Highlands. It is considered one of the most iconic and challenging Munros to climb.
- Elevation: 1,022 meters (3,353 feet)
- Location: Glen Coe, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Shape: Distinctive pyramid-shaped peak
- Difficulty: Technical, demanding ascent
- Ridges: Exposed ridges with steep drops
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105votesThis mountain offers a number of challenging routes to the summit, including the infamous Coire Ardair scramble. The terrain is steep and rocky, with narrow ridges and steep drops, making it a challenging climb for even experienced hikers.Creag Meagaidh is a notable Munro located in the Grampian Mountains of Scotland. It is renowned for its stunning cliffs and rocky terrain, making it one of the most challenging Munros to climb. The mountain is part of the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, known for its unique and diverse flora and fauna. Creag Meagaidh stands at an impressive height of 1,128 meters (3,701 feet) and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. It was formed through geological processes, including glacial activity, which sculpted its dramatic features.
- Elevation: 1,128 meters (3,701 feet)
- Location: Grampian Mountains, Scotland
- Difficulty: High
- Cliffs: Prominent
- Terrain: Rocky
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Ranking factors for difficult Munro
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ElevationThe overall height of the Munro is a significant factor in its difficulty. Climbing higher peaks generally requires more physical effort and involves more significant altitude variations, which could affect climbers' physical conditions.
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Steepness and terrainA crucial aspect of ranking the difficulty of Munros is the steepness of ascent and descent and the type of terrain. A Munro with a steep, rocky terrain will be more challenging to climb than one with a gradual slope and smoother terrain.
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Technical challengesSome Munros may involve challenging technical climbing elements, such as scrambling or the use of ropes and other gear for safety or navigation. Technical climbs may require specialized skill sets and experience, adding to the difficulty of the route.
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Weather conditionsThe local weather conditions in the area surrounding a Munro can significantly impact the difficulty of the climb. Weather factors such as frequent heavy rain, strong winds, snow, or ice may increase the challenge of a particular Munro.
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ExposureThe level of exposure to potential falls at specific points on a Munro's climbing route can also influence its difficulty. Higher exposure levels, where a slip could result in a severe or fatal fall, increase the difficulty and importance of careful navigation and safety precautions.
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Accessibility and remotenessThe location of the Munro and how accessible it is, such as the distance from the nearest town or transportation, can affect the difficulty of the overall journey. Additionally, the journey's remoteness can impact the availability of emergency assistance or resources if needed.
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Route finding and navigationThe complexity of a Munro's climbing route, in terms of finding the correct route or navigating through potentially confusing terrain, can contribute to its difficulty. This can also include the route's visibility in poor weather conditions or how well-established and maintained the path is.
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Duration of the climbThe overall length of the climb, in terms of distance and time, can impact the difficulty of the Munro. Longer climbs usually require more physical effort and endurance, and may also involve more complex logistics and planning.
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Fitness and experience requiredThe level of physical fitness and mountaineering experience necessary to safely and successfully complete a specific Munro's climb should be considered as well. A harder Munro may require a higher level of fitness and experience to safely navigate and deal with potential challenges.
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Seasonal variationsThe difficulty of a Munro may change depending on the season, with some peaks being more challenging during winter months due to increased snow, ice, or other weather-related hazards.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult Munro to climb. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Munro is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2000 views
- 196 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Munro once every 24 hours. The rank of each Munro is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult munro to climb
Background:
Munros are Scottish mountains that are over 3,000 feet (914 meters) tall. The term was coined by Sir Hugh Munro, who created a list of these mountains in 1891. Today, there are 282 Munros in Scotland, and climbing them has become a popular pastime for many outdoor enthusiasts.
However, not all Munros are created equal when it comes to difficulty. Some are relatively easy to climb, while others require a high level of skill and experience. Factors such as steepness, terrain, and weather conditions all play a role in determining the difficulty of a Munro climb.
So, what is the most difficult Munro to climb? That's a question that has sparked much debate among climbers and outdoor enthusiasts. Some argue that Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, is the most challenging due to its steep and rocky terrain. Others point to mountains like An Teallach or Liathach, which have exposed ridges and require scrambling skills.
Ultimately, the answer to this question may depend on a climber's individual experience and skill level. What is clear, however, is that climbing a Munro is no easy feat and requires careful preparation and planning to ensure a safe and successful ascent.
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