Aonach Air Chrith

Aonach air Chrith, at 1,021 metres, is the highest summit on the entire South Glen Shiel Ridge, an imposing peak with a precipitous feel, marking roughly the halfway point of the seven-Munro traverse.

Reached from Druim Shionnach via a broad, undulating ridge, the summit offers commanding views south towards the rugged Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach, with Loch Quoich visible beyond, and north across Glen Shiel to the Five Sisters and countless other peaks. From here, most of the remaining ridge can be seen winding ahead towards the horizon.

The descent heads south-east along a worn path tracing the mountain's shoulder, broadening as height is lost towards a col, before a brief climb north-east and a traverse east across a wide, grass-covered plateau — keeping well clear of the cliffs of Coire an t-Slugain — leads to Druim Shionnach's west top and onward towards Maol Chinn-dearg.

The full South Glen Shiel Ridge, taking in all seven Munros, is around 25 kilometres with roughly 1,900 metres of ascent, typically ten to eleven hours.

The descent from this summit involves narrow, steep, and rocky ground that demands care, though it's generally manageable with attention — full fitness for the sustained ridge day and confident route-finding on the plateau sections are both essential given how quickly weather can close in on this exposed, high terrain.

Parking in the layby east of the Cluanie Inn is free; Citylink buses between Glasgow and Inverness run along the A87, stopping at Cluanie Inn on request.