An Epic Munro Bagging Guide For Beginners
Munros are Scottish mountains with an elevation of more than 3,000 feet/ 914 metres, you can bag one by reaching the summit. This post is a Munro bagging guide for Beginners.
There are 282 Munros in Scotland, mostly located in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Cairngorms National Park, Perthshire, Highlands and on two islands in Scotland.
Most of the Munros are located in the central and northern Highlands, and 55 of them are located in the Cairngorms National Park in eastern Scotland. The most southern Munro is Ben Lomond in Loch Lomond National Park, and the most northern Munro is located in Sutherland, Ben Hope.
There are a few things you need to know before you start Munro bagging. From a few years of Munro bagging, I have learnt a few important things. Bagging a Munro can throw a few unexpected things at you if you are unprepared.
Being prepared for climbing the mountains will make it a brilliant and memorable experience.
Long hikes may be quite challenging, however, it is good for your mental and physical health, also, it will connect with the outdoors. This guide is a Munro Bagging guide for beginners.
What is Munro Bagging?
On average Munros baggers complete 12 Munro’s a year. Therefore, it takes 23 years to bag all the Munros.
More keen Munro baggers can complete a Munro per weekend, meaning that it will take four and a half years to complete all of the mountains.
Sir Hugh Munro was the founding member of the Scottish Mountaineering club. A list of Scotland’s highest mountains was published in 1891. The list of Munros is also known as Munro Table.
The list consists of 282 Munros which are over 3,000 feet. The small Munro is Ben Vane at 914 metres, meanwhile, the highest Munro is Ben Nevis at 1,345 metres.
The route to each Munro is completely different, the varying landscapes and geography make it an interesting hike. From lochs and reservoirs to waterfalls and glens, each route has lovely surprises.
From the peak, there is a completely different view from the top and each is rewarding and spectacular. I will warn you now, this activity becomes extremely addictive.
Tip 1: Safety First, Be Prepared
Before setting off remember to check Mountaineering Scotland for safety advice. You can find helpful advice and tips on how to look after the Scottish countryside as you explore with Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
At first, you may not be confident in navigation or worried that you might get lost. To avoid this, I recommend doing a couple of hikes with friends in walking groups to build confidence and experience.
Solo hiking is so much fun but it might take some time to learn and grow confidence. Also, it is important to let family and friends know where you are heading.
Make sure you have a good backpack which supports your waist and chest. Once you get all the things together on this list, you will definitely need to invest in a good sturdy rucksack.
Also, taking painkillers and a first aid kit will be useful as your muscles that you have not used in a while might start giving you bother.
During the summer months, it is good to bring midge repellent and a tick remover. Ticks live in long grass and can latch onto exposed skin. Midges are out in the highlands also during every sunset so it is best to be prepared.
During the winter months in Scotland, the days do get very short. Sunrise occurs after eight in the morning and the sunsets at around 4 pm.
Sometimes the weather is so bad at this time of year that you will feel like the sun has never risen. In this case, planning is required.
I would recommend packing a head torch just in case visibility is poor or you are out longer than planned.
Tip 2: Check The Weather, Pack & Plan Ahead
Scotland is known to have dramatic weather changes in a 24-hour period. The climate can be described as experiencing four seasons in a day.
Between the car park and the summit, the weather is even more dramatic and changes rapidly. As the base of the Munro, it might be sunny, however, there could be fog, hail, wind and rain at the summit.
Always check the weather before you start climbing a Munro. Mountain Forecast is a good website that gives you the weather at the peak of the mountain, on an hourly forecast.
A hat is required during all seasons as the weather can change quickly. As you climb to a higher altitude, the winds naturally pick up.
Even if there is no wind at the base of the Munro. At the top of the mountain, in strong winds, it will feel 10 times stronger and it may not be safe.
For beginners, I would not recommend going out if the winds are forecasted over 30 mph as this will feel scary, it is not an enjoyable experience. It is good to pack gloves even when the sun is out.
Again, as you go up in altitude it can feel much colder, 10 degrees celsius can feel like 0 degrees celsius. Sun cream is important to pack, even in the winter months.
Also in the winter and spring months, there is a high chance of snow on the mountains. For beginners, I would recommend avoiding going out in these conditions and waiting until most of the snow will melt.
Winter experience with crampons and axes will be required if you wish to go out in the winter.
Tip 3: Wear Appropriate Clothing
Sturdy, supportive hillwalking boots are required to protect your ankles. Most routes can have unexpected marsh parts and soggy patches even the start of the route has well-maintained paths.
Also, good thick socks will keep your ankles warm and comfortable. It is essential to pack a waterproof shell and plenty of breathable layers for all hikes throughout the year.
Also, gaiters and waterproof trousers will keep you dry when the heavens open. Moreover, I would recommend wearing thermals, walking trousers or hiking leggings.
It is not necessary to have walking poles but you will see a lot of people using them. They are supported for climbing the Munro.
Also, they are supportive when coming down the mountain, as it supports the knees.
Tip 4: Pack Plenty of Food & Water
Plenty of snacks and water are required to keep you energised. I like packing a couple of bananas, cereal bars and a good lunch to keep me going.
Also, I keep a bottle of juice or water in the car so I don’t have to carry it with me during the walk. It is so important to stay hydrated.
Remember the Munros are located in rural Scotland, so it is unlikely that there will be any shops near your starting points. At the end of some walks, you can check into a local restaurant or pub and enjoy a hearty Scottish pub meal.
Tip 5: Choose an Easy Munro to Bag First
Some of the most notable Munros in Scotland are Ben Nevis, Ben MacDui, Ben Lawers and the impressive Buachaille Etive Mor. These are amazing Munros, however, they may not be ideal for your first experience.
It is hard to define an easy Munro as everyone’s fitness, walking ability and experiences are different. The most popular Munro to hike, which is also one of the most hiked Munro in Scotland is Ben Lomond.
I would recommend Ben Lomond as a good Munro to tackle as one of your first Munros. It is not far from the central belt, there is a clear path to the top which is easier for Munro to navigate.
Usually, there are a lot more people here too so you can just follow the crowd.
Other Munros that are good for beginners are Mount Keen, Schiehallion, Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn) and Ben Lawers. A recommendation would be to do plenty of the less challenging Munros first to build your walking experience and your navigation skills.
Tip 7: Fitness
Remember it is never easy to bag a Munro; good fitness and dedication are required to complete a hike. Also, you will need walking experience, hill craft and navigation skills before attempting Munro.
Most people start off with smaller walks and tick off Sub 2000s, Corbetts and Grahams. Also, there are lots of short walks on the WalkHighlands website around lochs and glens.
In saying that hiking is a great activity for everyone of all ages. Many people who are middle-aged enjoy hillwalking as a hobby.
Some are very inspirational, including Nick Gardner an 80-year-old man who bagged all the Munros for charity. Follow his journey on Instagram: Nick’s Munro Challenge.
Walking uphill is easy for me, however, on the way down my hips, knees and feet sometimes hurt.
Tip 6: Be Equipped With Technology
Firstly, I would recommend investing in a power pack. Having a charged phone is important in case of an emergency.
Also, you can download apps or view websites which is facilitate your walk. Technology is not something to replace maps and compasses however it is a useful tool.
Walk Highlands have very detailed information regarding the best routes to follow to get to the top of Munros. The distance, time to complete, elevations climbed, GPS coordinates and a highlighted route on the map are available on the site.
Also, the Ordnance Survey Maps app is great for viewing maps on your phone. You can create your own route, fellow hikers have created trails that you can follow or upload way-marked coordinates from sites like Walk Highlands.
Personally, I enjoy tracking my routes on Strava. Strava is an app in which you can track all types of fitness.
Also, there are maps which update with you in real-time, you can follow the highlighted blue tracks on the map. Moreover, if you pay for a subscription to Strava you can view your hikes in 3D.
Tip 9: Maps and Compass
Technology is useful when it works. However, a GPS signal is not always guaranteed on the Munros.
Learning how to read a map and use a compass is a reliable way to navigate yourself to the summit and return to the starting point safely. Mountaineering Scotland runs a navigation course and has tons of helpful map-reading information and videos.
Tip 8: Know What to Do In An Emergency
Sometimes, things might go wrong, people get lost or injured. In a case like a dial 999 and ask for the police.
They will decide if you need Scottish Mountain Rescue and put you in touch.
Also, sometimes the operator will ask for what 3 words which is an app which you can download onto your phone. Again, being in the mountains might mean you will not have a signal and this feature might not be accessible.
However, it is good to have just in case of an emergency.
What do you need for Munro Bagging?
- Hillwalking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Breathable base layer
- Comfy socks for hillwalking
- Water
- Snacks
- Map
- Phone
What is the easiest Munro to walk?
There are a couple of Munros which are easy to walk. The most eastern and easiest Munro to walk is located in the Cairngorms National Park. Mount Keen is a popular mountain for first-time hikers.
The first half of the route involves walking through the glen before starting the ascent to the mountain. From start to finish, there is a wide gravel path.
As well as being a well-known route for hikers, many people enjoy cycling up the glen before tackling the Munro. A small boulder field surrounds the summit.
Another easy route for first-time Munro baggers is Ben Lomond. Ben Lomond is located in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
There are toilets and a car park at the base of the summit, also, you can enjoy views from the shores of Loch Lomond. There is a well-marked clear path all the way to the summit.
Below are some routes which are the easiest routes to multi-bag Munros in one day.
- Cairnwell 3: Carn Aosada, Carn a’Gheoidh, The Cairnwell
- Mayar and Driesh
- Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers
- Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain
Final Note
Hillwalking and Munro bagging is a great experience, there is no doubt you will get hooked on the experience. This post is a Munro bagging guide for beginners.
The Munros have picturesque scenery, right in the centre of mountains and near lakes. The remote wilderness is a great place to recharge and disconnect from the busy lifestyle.
It may be slightly intimidating for anyone to leave the low-level safer trails and aim for higher peaks. I hope this guide gives you the information you need to hike Scotland’s tallest mountains.
Many of the Scottish Munros are located in the Highlands of Scotland. There are Munros near Oban, Fort William and Inverness.