NN0083 : Looking southwest from Meall Onfhaidh

Meall Onfhaidh

679m Elevation
297m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NN0083 : Looking southwest from Meall Onfhaidh

Steven Brown Photo source

Explore routes near Meall Onfhaidh

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Banavie to Glen Loy Aqueduct: Neptune’s Staircase Canal Towpath

13.3 km ~4h Easy

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Ben Nevis via Mountain Path

15.6 km ~7h Hard

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Fort Augustus to Kytra Lock: Caledonian Canal Towpath

8.2 km ~2h 30m Easy

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Glen Affric: Coire Loch Woodland Trail

4.6 km ~2h Hard

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

From Balquhidder

A scenic route starting from the village of Balquhidder, taking you through lush greenery and up a moderate incline towards the summit.

8.5 km ~3.5 hours Moderate
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Graham Simm

Elevation

679m

2,229 ft

Prominence

297m

Coordinates

56.9052, -5.2691

NN010840

OS Map

41

Explorer: 399

At the Summit

The summit is marked by a small cairn and offers ample space for a well-deserved rest. The gentle slopes leading to it provide a welcoming approach.

Terrain & Geology

The terrain is predominantly grassy with intermittent rocky outcrops making for a diverse hiking experience.

Meall Onfhaidh is primarily composed of schist and granitic gneiss, typical of the Grampian range, providing a mixture of rugged terrain interspersed with glacial deposits.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can enjoy spectacular views of Loch Voil and the surrounding mountains, including Ben More and the mighty Ben Ledi.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Onfhaidh' derives from Gaelic, likely meaning 'hill of fright' – perhaps from the steep drops that might catch an unsuspecting soul off guard!

Historical Significance

Meall Onfhaidh holds a place in local lore, being part of the rich tapestry of stories woven through the Highlands, including tales of ancient warriors and the infamous Rob Roy MacGregor.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is parking available at the Balquhidder village hall; it's a modest lot, so arrive early during peak times.

Public Transport

Buses run to Balquhidder from nearby towns; check local schedules for the best connections, as they can be a bit sparse.

Nearby Facilities

The village of Balquhidder has a small café and pub; it’s worth stopping for a cuppa and a scone before or after your hike.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • As always in the Highlands, be mindful of changing weather conditions, which can turn on a sixpence, and watch your footing on the rocky sections.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Meall Onfhaidh?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Meall Onfhaidh through the maps

Are there other walkers around Meall Onfhaidh?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Meall Onfhaidh search or of course create your own walk for Meall Onfhaidh

Can I organise a walk to Meall Onfhaidh?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Meall Onfhaidh.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Meall Onfhaidh?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Meall Onfhaidh here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: NN010840

View on OpenStreetMap

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