Guide to Hiking The Pap Of Glencoe
The Pap of Glencoe towers over the village of Glencoe, taunting you to summit it! Here’s everything you need to know, from where to start to how to tackle the scramble at the top.
Written by: Trev Summits | March 2026
The Pap of Glencoe is a distinct conical mountain which looks unclimbable from the ground. From the top, the views out over Lochs Leven and Linnie are amazing. It’s Gaelic name is Sgòrr na Cìche literally translating to the Peak of the Breast.
It’s a short hike but it’s steep from start to end and has a tricky scramble at the top that can’t be avoided. However, you can opt to not do the scramble and still enjoy epic views, maybe even have a picnic.
I’m Trev, a local Mountain Leader who guides visitors on hikes in Glen Coe. Here’s everything you need to know about hiking the Pap of Glencoe.
get in touch If you’d like to book Me for a guided walk in Glen Coe
How long is the Pap of Glencoe hike?
The route is 7.5km (6.7 miles) plus 810m (2,657 ft) of ascent.
How many Hours to hike the Pap of Glencoe?
Around 3-4 hours, depending on how fit you are, how long you stop for, and your speed on the scramble.
How difficult is the Pap of Glencoe?
That’s subjective as it depends on your fitness and experience level. In my opinion, it’s achievable for anyone who’s fairly fit with some hiking experience. The majority of the route is on a good path but the final 100 meters is a steep rocky scramble which won’t suit everyone.
Lots of people get up as far as the scramble and just enjoy the views on the flat grassy area. There are a few different path options up The Pap but there’s not many signs on the main path, so it’s easy to go the wrong way. I recommend having a digital map on your phone.
Where do I park for the Pap of Glencoe?
This is the best car park for the Pap of Glencoe. There’s a donation box so please put in a few pounds. It can get busy so I recommend getting there early. It’s very sloped but the area closest to the road is flattest.
The Pap is walkable from Glencoe village and the surrounding hostels & hotels.
Pap of Glencoe weather forecast
Here are some mountain forecasts closest to The Pap of Glencoe:
the Pap of Glencoe OS Maps Route and .gPX File
Here’s my personal OS Maps route that I use. I recommend using OS Maps in the U.K. You can get a 14-day free trial. If you have a preferred digital mapping app, you can take the trial of OS Maps and export the .gpx file.
the Pap of Glencoe Hike Description
Leave the car park and look for signs for the Orbital track heading away from Glencoe village.
Follow the path parallel to the road for around 800m.
Go through the gate to the farm signposted PAP.
There are sometimes cows in the field. Just slowly walk through them, don’t stare or go to pet them.
Walk up past the farm and look out for the modern wooden bridge to the right.
Follow the path to the trees the head up the hill. The path is obvious.
You’ll come to the flat area below the rocky Pap.
If you decide to do the scramble, look for the strip of red rocks to your right. There is a semblance of a path.
The safest route is to come back the way you came.
I recommend visiting the Boots Bar at the Clachaig Inn for lunch and/or a drink afterwards.
If you’re an experienced hiker with good footwear, you can exit directly off The Pap to the west, however, it’s a tough scramble with some big rock slabs to climb down. The path further down is very muddy and slippery.
Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh option
To the right (south east) of the Pap is Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh which is a Munro at 967m (3,173m). If you’re feeling fit, you can add it to your hike or choose this summit instead to avoid the scramble up the Pap. It’s a longer route at 8km and 978m of ascent so it should take around 4-5 hours.
If you combine The Pap with Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh, it’s 10.3km and 1,240m of ascent. Both should take around 5-6 hours.
There’s a short ridge walk on the approach to Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh and the views out over Glen Coe are phenomenal.
Should I hire a guide for The Pap of Glencoe?
If any of the above information concerns you but you still want to hike The Pap of Glencoe or Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh, I advise walking with an experienced local guide. I frequently guide in Glen Coe and I’d love to accompany you. Whether you’re walking in a group, a family, or a solo traveller, get in touch.
Other Hikes in Glencoe
Here are some other hikes in Glen Coe that I recommend:
The Hidden Valley: a les steep alternative to The Pap of Glencoe is The Hidden Valley.
The Three Sisters: tough and technical but arguably the best hike in Glencoe is The Three Sisters.
Buachaille Etive Mòr: the most famous mountain in Glencoe, “The Buckle” is shorter and less technical.