NR9942 : North Goatfell towards Stacach Ridge

North Goatfell

818m Elevation
58m Prominence
Scotland Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

NR9942 : North Goatfell towards Stacach Ridge

Alan Reid Photo source

Explore routes near North Goatfell

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

Goatfell from Cladach

10 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Ben Lomond in the trossachs

12.1 km Hard

View route

Beinn Ime from Succoth

15.1 km ~7h Hard

View route

The Cobbler from Succoth Carpark

10.5 km ~6h Hard

View route

Route planning notes

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

North Goatfell via Brodick Castle and Goatfell Summit

Starting from Brodick Castle, follow the well-marked trail through the forest and across open moorland to the summit of Goatfell. From Goatfell, continue along the ridgeline northwards to reach North Goatfell. Enjoy stunning views of the Isle of Arran and beyond before retracing your steps back to the starting point.

12.5 km ~5 hours Hard

North Goatfell via Glen Rosa Circuit

Begin at the Glen Rosa car park and follow the scenic Glen Rosa track as it ascends gradually. Take the path towards the Saddle, then climb steeply to North Goatfell. For a circular route, descend via Goatfell and return through the forest path to Glen Rosa car park.

14 km ~6 hours Hard

North Goatfell Ridge Scramble

This route is for experienced scramblers. Start from Corrie and take the path leading to North Goatfell via Meall Breac. The ridge offers exhilarating scrambling opportunities with dramatic views, culminating in a rewarding ascent to North Goatfell. Descend via the Goatfell path to Brodick or Corrie.

10 km ~5 hours Very Hard

North Goatfell and Coire Lan Loop

From Sannox, ascend through Coire Lan, following the path leading to North Goatfell. The route offers breathtaking views of the surrounding corries and ridges. Descend via the north-eastern spur back to Sannox for a rewarding loop.

11 km ~4.5 hours Moderate

North Goatfell via Cioch na h-Oighe Traverse

From Corrie, follow the path to Cioch na h-Oighe, traversing its rocky ridgeline before reaching North Goatfell. This challenging route provides a rugged mountain experience with stunning panoramas. Descend via Goatfell and return to Corrie.

13 km ~6.5 hours Very Hard
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Simm High Hills of Britain

Elevation

818m

2,684 ft

Prominence

58m

Coordinates

55.6324, -5.1946

NR989422

OS Map

62 69

Explorer: 361N

At the Summit

The summit showcases a large cairn with a great view across to the neighbouring peaks and the Firth of Clyde. There's also a trig point for those who like to tick boxes and take photos.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky with patches of grass and scree; expect some steep sections that might require a bit of scrambling.

North Goatfell is primarily composed of granite, which gives it a rugged appearance and provides a stable footing as you make your way up. The surrounding hills are made of schists, and the area's geological history is a testament to the incredible forces of nature over millennia.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can see the entirety of the Isle of Arran, including the famous Goatfell ridge, and on a clear day, the coastline of the Scottish mainland stretches out before you.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Goatfell' is derived from the Old Norse word 'Geit', meaning goat, and 'fell', meaning mountain or hill; thus it could refer to the mountain's past inhabitants or the elusive goats that once roamed these slopes.

Historical Significance

As the highest peak on Arran, Goatfell holds cultural significance in Scottish folklore and is a beloved challenge among hikers and climbers.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Brodick Bay, with ample parking available, though it can fill up during peak tourist season.

Public Transport

Regular buses from Glasgow to Brodick, and the ferry from Ardrossan takes you directly to the island.

Nearby Facilities

Brodick has several cafes and shops, as well as public toilets, ensuring you are well-fed and relieved before embarking on your adventure.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep inclines, loose rocks, sudden weather changes, and potential for mist to roll in quickly making navigation tricky.

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 North Goatfell?

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

Are there other walkers around North Goatfell?

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 North Goatfell search or of course create your own walk for North Goatfell

Can I organise a walk to North Goatfell?

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 North Goatfell.

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 North Goatfell?

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 North Goatfell 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: NR989422

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Goatfell [Goat Fell]

875m

Cir Mhor

798m

Ailsa Craig

339m

Beinn Ghlas

420m

 The Cobbler [Ben Arthur]

The Cobbler [Ben Arthur]

884m
See 5 more nearby hills