At just under 3000 feet tall, Goatfell just misses a spot in the list of Munroes, the tallest mountains in Scotland.

The Walks

From Brodick - the Shortest Route

The walk starts (and ends) a few metres from the seashore, just outside the Isle of Arran Brewery. This is the most direct route to the summit, and on average takes five hours to climb up and down, not including breaks. At any point on the climb, the shortest way to get back down is to turn round and retrace your steps. This is the most popular route, so the path is obvious until the very last climb to the summit.

The brewery is a twenty minute walk along the road, turning right from the ferry terminal. Alternatively, you can catch the North Island bus to this point.

The walk begins on a tarmac path, which becomes a maintained footpath. This runs parallel to a river valley for the first third of the walk, and is a fairly steep but constant slope. Near the bottom of this section, the main path crosses other roads and paths, but Goatfell is always signposted.

After you have climbed about (something) metres, you reach the treeline and the deerfence, which has a stile so that walkers can cross it. The island's deer are a rare but beautiful site. You are far more likely to see sheep. Because you have just come out of the trees, this is also the perfect place to sit down for a moment and admire the view. down over Brodick Bay and across to Holy Isle.

The next third is not such a steep climb. You cross a large expanse of grey granite, but because the path is so popular it is easy to spot and stick to. The large triangular peak of Goatfell looms to your left. Several decades ago (check when) the path used to turn off from your route and head straight up the corrie, but the erosion from hundreds of walkers have made this unsafe, and the current path heads for the ridge to the North.

When you reach the ridge, the path takes a sharp turn to the left, and continues up the ridge to the peak. Be aware that there are steep drops on either side, especially to your right as you go up.

From the summit, the views on a good day are wonderful. Past the peaks and ridges of the nearby mountains, the sea can be seen on all sides of the island. To the north you can see the islands of Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae; to the south is Staffa - and island which is a volcanic sill, check how old. To the west is Kintyre, and the sea beyond. Some people say you can see Ireland on a very clear day, but this researcher has never been lucky enough to confirm it.

The route down is the reverse of the route up. This requires some scrambling at the top. Think of the brewery at the bottom as an incentive to get back down.

Route from Corrie

This takes slightly longer, and goes along a less well-trodden path.

It starts in the village of Corrie, on the north-west shore of the island. You can park here, or take the North Island bus from one of the ferry terminals.

At the south end of Corrie, there is a sign-post from the road stating optimistically "To Goatfell". Follow this track. This is also a good, if fairly steep to start. It runs next to a stream-bed which has some small waterfalls.

Finish this...

Glen Rosa - a much longer route

I actually have yet to try this one past the half-way point. Ooh, an incentive to go hillwalking.

Does all that sound too easy?

In [June/July/argh find out which] the annual Goatfell race is held. Competitors start from Brodick sports grounds, and race up the route from Brodick.

How long does it usually take? How do you enter? Find out about the girl who raced barefoot.