Highland Guiding · Guide to the Munros · Scotland
Your Complete Guide
to Munro Bagging
In this guide
I've always felt lucky to live in a country with mountains. There's something about those serrated horizons - they are like the edge of a key that unlocks something inside. It makes the heart thrill, and unleashes a restless compulsion that won't rest until you climb to that distant summit, and gaze at the view - first breathlessly, and then with a deep sense of peace.
Scotland's mountains are not counted among the largest in the world - far from it - but the peaks of the Scottish Highlands are still some of the most charismatic and beloved. We're truly blessed to have hills that offer huge variety, majestic scenery, and of course a challenge that can be for either a day, or a lifetime. Perhaps that's why more and more of us are rising to the challenge of Bagging the Munros.
What is a Munro, and what is Munro Bagging?
A Munro is any Scottish mountain with a height of at least 3,000ft (914.4m), and which is recognised as a Munro on the Scottish Mountaineering Club Munro list.
'Munro Bagging' is the challenge of hiking to the top of all the Munros in Scotland. Once you reach the summit of a Munro, you've 'bagged' it - completed it and can tick it off your list. A Munroist is someone who has completed climbing all the Munros.
282
Munros in Scotland
3,000ft
Minimum height
~8,000
Munroists to date
How many Munros are there?
At present count there are 282 Munros. Several are found on islands - namely Mull and Skye - with the remainder all in the Scottish Highlands. The full range stretches across more than 100 miles.
Present count? Yes - as survey technology has improved, several peaks near the 3,000ft line have either been promoted or demoted to and from Munro status. The last change was in 2012, when the peak of Beinn a' Chlaidheimh was demoted.
The Munros are named after Sir Hugh Munro - a figure who exemplifies the Victorian era's dual obsessions of exploring and categorising the natural world. Sir Hugh was an avid hill walker and a founding member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club. In 1891 the editor of the club journal asked Munro to compile a list of all mountains in Scotland higher than 3,000ft.
Sir Hugh compiled map information and concluded that there were probably 538 'tops' above 3,000ft, with 283 of those worthy of being considered an actual mountain summit. The distinction between a summit and a top is not rigidly defined, but a top is generally a high point on a mountain considered subsidiary to the actual summit. The length of Munro's list came as a sensational surprise to the mountaineering community, as many expected there to be far fewer such peaks.
The mapping of Scotland's mountains left much to be desired - so the fastidious Munro did the obvious thing. He began to climb every one, measuring their height accurately with a barometer.
Sadly, Munro died of pneumonia in 1919, before he could complete them all. At the time of his death he had just three peaks left unclimbed. He was beaten to his goal by the Rev A. E Robertson, who 'compleated' them in 1901. However, Robertson undertook his round by climbing only to the highest point of each Munro. Munro, being utterly fastidious, only considered a mountain climbed if he reached every individual 'top' as well as the summit. So while Robertson climbed more than 280 peaks over 3,000ft, Munro climbed to more than 500. Today, most Munro Baggers follow Robertson's method. It's the highest point that counts.
Did you know
The spelling 'compleated' - with an 'e' - is still used by the Scottish Mountaineering Club today when someone finishes all their Munros. An archaic spelling kept alive purely for tradition.
How long does it take?
One Munro
A Munro typically takes anywhere between 4-8 hours to hike from bottom to top and back, depending on the remoteness and difficulty of the peak and the fitness of the hiker. Some take much longer. The Fisherfield group of 5 Munros, for example, often takes multiple days due to the long distance from the nearest road through wild and rough terrain.
All 282 Munros
For many walkers, completing the Munros is a major life goal, and most take many years - often several decades - to complete all 282.
A major mountaineering challenge is to complete them all in a continuous single journey, with some going so far as to disallow any non-human-powered transport between peaks. The current record is held by Jamie Aarons, who set it in June 2023 at 31 days, 10 hours and 27 minutes.
Many also draw a distinction between climbing the Munros in winter versus summer. The Winter Round record was set at 83 days in 1985 by Martin Moran, and equalled by Anna Wells in 2024 - the first woman to complete a winter round in a single season.
At the time of writing, just under 8,000 people have completed all the Munros. When someone finishes they may submit their logbook to the Scottish Mountaineering Club for verification, after which they earn the title of Munroist.
A guide's first Munro
I didn't climb my first Munro until I was 19, but I did it in style! I decided to walk in my kilt, which was actually a great choice - very comfy and great ventilation. I probably shouldn't be surprised - if it worked for the Highlanders of old it still works now. My hill of choice was Ben Ime in the 'Arrochar Alps'. It was a glorious sunny day, and I remember the final push to the top being a steep slog up a long, dull slope; but the views from the top were absolutely worth the effort.
Corbetts, Grahams and beyond
The Munros are the most famous of Scotland's hill lists, but they are far from the only one. The Corbetts are Scottish mountains between 2,500ft and 3,000ft with a re-ascent of at least 500ft on all sides - there are 222 of them, and many Munroists turn to the Corbetts once they have completed their round. The Grahams cover mountains between 2,000ft and 2,500ft, of which there are 219. Below that sit the Donalds (hills in the Scottish Lowlands over 2,000ft) and the Marilyns - a wonderfully named list of hills with a relative height of at least 150m above surrounding terrain, regardless of absolute height. Many Munro baggers find that completing the Munros simply deepens the obsession rather than satisfying it.
Easiest
The easiest route that allows you to climb multiple Munros is the three 'Cairnwell Munros' of Càrn Aosda, Càrn a Ghèoidh, and The Cairnwell. These are accessed from the ski-centre car park in Glenshee, which sits at around 650m above sea level - meaning half the ascent is already done when you start walking. All three can be completed with just 600m of ascent in total.
Other Munros that benefit from high road access include Cairngorm, Ben Lawers and Meall nan Tarmachan.
Most remote
The most remote of the Munros - A' Mhaigdean - lies in the Fisherfield area and is a 44km round trip by the shortest route. Most people take at least two days, also taking the opportunity to climb four other adjacent Munros in the same area. The complete route is known as the 'Fisherfield 6'.
Highest
Ben Nevis, with a summit elevation of 1,345m, is the highest mountain in Scotland and the UK. Since the start point is only about 20m above sea level you have to climb the entire mountain, and most people take around 8 hours to complete the return journey.
Trickiest
Many people agree that the most difficult Munro to summit is Sgurr Dearg on the Isle of Skye. It is the only Munro that requires rock-climbing skills and equipment to reach the true summit - the romantically named 'Inaccessible Pinnacle', or 'InPin'. This extraordinary blade of basalt rock projects from the side of the mountain to a height just above what would otherwise be the summit.
Sgurr Dearg is one of the peaks of the Black Cuillins - the famously challenging range on Skye. The Black Cuillins contain 22 peaks, 11 of which are Munros, and are considered the most difficult group of Munros to bag. For mountaineers, the traverse of the entire ridge in a single outing is a considerable undertaking.
Most popular
Ben Nevis. The highest Munro is also the highest peak in the UK, and around 150,000 people climb it every year. If you're only going to climb one Munro, it might as well be the biggest.
The second most popular is Ben Lomond, with around 30,000 ascents per year. The most southerly Munro and the closest to Scotland's largest cities, it's a popular daytrip and for many people their first Munro.
Best views
The Munros have no shortage of incredible views, and none has a bad one. It's very subjective, but few could argue that An Teallach is perhaps the finest of them all.
Most photographed
The most iconic and photographed of all Munros has to be the dramatic pyramid of Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mor), rising from the wilderness of Rannoch Moor at the head of Glencoe and Glen Etive.
Thousands of people enjoy bagging Munros without any professional help. But if you want a guide for safety, leadership, or simply to get more from the experience, it's a great idea. A hiking guide can do far more than lead you up and down the hill safely. They are a font of knowledge about the flora and fauna, geology, history and folklore of the mountain - and can add a huge amount to a day that might otherwise be purely about reaching the summit.
If you're just getting started, or are unsure how to begin, hiring a guide for a day is a great way to learn what you need to hike safely and confidently in future. If you choose to hire a guide, ensure they hold the Mountain Leader Award and a current first aid certificate.
If you're only going to climb a Munro once, having a guide to really enhance the experience is a very good move.
Highland Guiding · Guided Day Hikes
Book a guided Munro day
Our qualified guides lead private day hikes across the Cairngorms, Skye and the wider Highlands. From your first Munro to more challenging routes, we'll make it a day to remember.
View Guided Day Hikes Plan a Bespoke TripWhat kit do I need for a Munro?
Getting your kit right is one of the most important things you can do before heading into the hills. The Scottish Highlands can throw any weather at you at any time of year, and being caught underprepared on a remote summit is not a situation you want to find yourself in. The good news is that the essentials are straightforward.
Footwear is the single most important investment. Proper waterproof hiking boots with ankle support are essential - trail shoes and trainers are not suitable for Munro terrain. Beyond that, the layering system is your best friend: a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid layer, and a good quality waterproof jacket and trousers over the top. Conditions can change rapidly with altitude, so always carry more layers than you think you'll need.
Navigation equipment is non-negotiable. A map and compass, and crucially the skills to use them, should always be in your pack - phone signal and GPS are not reliable in remote Highland terrain. Round that out with food and water for the full day, a small first aid kit, an emergency shelter, a head torch and a fully charged phone, and you're well set up for a safe and enjoyable day on the hill. If you're not yet confident with navigation or don't have the right gear, a guided day hike is a great way to get started - you'll learn the ropes from an experienced guide while enjoying the mountain safely.
Kit list
For a full breakdown of everything we recommend packing for a day in the Scottish hills, from footwear to emergency essentials, see our complete Scotland hiking kit list.
Safety and winter Munro bagging
Safety essentials
Bagging a Munro is generally a very safe activity, but climbing one will take you into remote, exposed terrain. Hazards include bad weather, steep ground and the possibility of getting lost - and the physical demands may be greater than you expect. Dress appropriately, carry a small first aid kit, emergency shelter and extra food, and be prepared to turn around if conditions deteriorate. The mountain is not going anywhere.
Winter conditions
The Munros are considerably more challenging and hazardous in winter. Daylight hours are short - six hours maximum at the shortest days - and snow and ice add serious hazards including dangerous slips, avalanche risk, exposure and whiteout conditions. Navigation becomes significantly harder, and soft or deep snow is exhausting to move through.
For all these reasons, tackling any Munro in winter is considered mountaineering rather than hillwalking, requiring additional equipment - ice axe, crampons, helmet, goggles - and the skills to use them. If you are a novice, seek instruction before attempting any Munro in winter conditions.
Munro Bagging FAQ
A Munro is any Scottish mountain with a height of at least 3,000ft (914.4m), recognised on the Scottish Mountaineering Club Munro list. There are currently 282 of them, all in Scotland.
Yes, many Munros are suitable for fit beginners, particularly those with high road access like the Cairnwell group in Glenshee or Ben Lawers in Perthshire. You don't need specialist mountaineering skills for most Munros in summer conditions, though you do need a reasonable level of fitness, appropriate clothing and footwear, and basic navigation skills. In winter, the picture changes significantly - snow and ice make any Munro a serious undertaking requiring additional equipment and experience.
Most Munros take between 4 and 8 hours from the trailhead and back, depending on the difficulty of the route, the remoteness of the peak and your fitness level. Some, like those in the Fisherfield area, can take much longer due to the distance from the nearest road. A useful rule of thumb is Naismith's Rule: allow one hour for every 5km of distance, plus an extra hour for every 600m of ascent.
At a minimum: good waterproof hiking boots, waterproof jacket and trousers, warm base and mid layers, a hat and gloves, a map and compass (and the knowledge to use them), food and water, a first aid kit, an emergency shelter, and a fully charged phone. Our full Scotland hiking kit list covers everything in detail.
Most people consider Sgurr Dearg on the Isle of Skye the most difficult, as the true summit - the Inaccessible Pinnacle - requires actual rock climbing to reach. The most remote Munro is A' Mhaigdean in the Fisherfield wilderness, which involves a 44km round trip from the nearest road. For a sustained challenge over multiple days, the Black Cuillin ridge on Skye contains 11 Munros in a row, with serious mountaineering throughout.
You don't need a guide, but hiring one adds significantly to the experience. A good guide doesn't just keep you safe in remote terrain - they can tell you the history and folklore of the mountain, identify the flora and fauna around you, and help you find the best routes and viewpoints. Any guide you hire should hold the Mountain Leader Award as a minimum, and a current first aid certificate. Our guided Munro days cover peaks across the Cairngorms, Skye and the wider Highlands.
Just under 8,000 people have formally registered as Munroists with the Scottish Mountaineering Club at the time of writing, though the actual number who have completed them is thought to be significantly higher as many people don't submit their logbook for verification. The first person to complete all the Munros was the Rev A. E Robertson in 1901.
