What Is a Munro?
A Munro is a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet (914.4 metres) in height. The classification was first published in 1891 by Sir Hugh Thomas Munro in the Journal of the Scottish Mountaineering Club. His original list contained 283 summits, and while the exact count has shifted over the years as surveys have refined summit heights, the current definitive list maintained by the SMC stands at 282 Munros.
Munro Bagging
The pursuit of climbing every Munro is known as "Munro bagging" and has become one of the most popular long-term hillwalking challenges in the UK. The first person to complete all Munros was the Reverend A.E. Robertson in 1901. Today, thousands of walkers are working through the list, and over 7,000 people have reported completing all 282 summits to the SMC.
Munros range from straightforward hill walks like Ben Chonzie in Perthshire to serious mountaineering challenges such as the Inaccessible Pinnacle on Skye, which requires rock climbing to reach the summit. Many of the finest Munros are concentrated in areas like Torridon, Glen Coe, the Cairngorms and Knoydart.
Why Elevation Profiles Matter
Accurate route planning is essential for safe Munro walking. Total ascent is often a better indicator of difficulty than distance alone. A 10-kilometre walk with 1,200 metres of ascent over rough terrain demands far more than a 15-kilometre walk with gentle gradients. Our route planner shows:
- Real-time elevation profiles as you plot your route
- Total ascent and descent calculated from SRTM contour data
- 10-metre contour lines overlaid on an OS-style base map
- GPX export so you can load your planned route onto a GPS device
Whether you are tackling your first Munro or planning a multi-summit ridge traverse, seeing the elevation profile before you leave helps you estimate timing, identify steep sections and plan rest stops.
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