Scottish trail running guiding company Girls on Hills have created a new mountain challenge called the Swift Half. It’s described as a a “pint-sized challenge to climb half the Munros in Glencoe in half a day, finishing with a swift half at the Clachaig Inn”. The Swift Half is supported by Silva and the Clachaig Inn.
More details: The Swift Half
Distance: Approximately 22km
Ascent: Approximately 2450m
For the Harvey map and GPX see: Swift Half.
Starting and finishing at the popular Clachiag Inn, the Swift Half round offers a journey on foot – for both hikers and runners – at the heart of Glencoe. The route takes in the Munro summits of the Aonach Eagach ridge, Meall Dearg and Sgurr nam Fiannaidh, as well as the summits of the so-called Three Sisters of Glencoe, Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach. As well as a decent amount of vertical height gain and descent, the route includes some exposed scrambling (Grade 2) and steep scree, as well as the challenge of completing 22km.
The idea for the Swift Half, which was set up in the summer of 2024, came from co-founder of Girls on Hills, Keri Wallace. She says: “I noticed a rising number of commercially supported UK hill and mountain rounds, such as the Lunar Round, in the Lake District, but nothing that similar in Scotland.
“Last year, we also lost the Glencoe Skyline race (it returns to the Scottish ultras list this year), so I came up with the Swift Half. It’s a challenge set in Glencoe with key checkpoints to reach, but there is still an element of fell running creativity, as well as a need for navigation.”
Launched in the summer of 2024, the Swift Half also provided a fundraiser for the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team. Keri says: “Girls on Hills, Silva and the Clachiag Inn helped with money to create a Harvey Map of the route. We then donated proceeds from the sale of the maps to support the extension of the Glencoe MRT’s base. The fundraiser is not continuing but it was an important part of the launch.”
Swift Half FKTs – but also a challenge
The aim was to make the Swift Half route achievable for a wide range of people, whether walkers or runners. Keri, who is the author of the book, Running Challenges, says: “There is a generous time of under 12 hours to complete half the Munros in Glencoe, so it’s a fairly accessible challenge and not just an FKT for the fastest people.
“Of course, there have already been some FKTs set – such as Finlay Wild’s new PB – but we also keep a list of completions, as well as people who complete the route with some variations.”
The route does include the Aonach Eagach ridge, which is challenging and technical, as well as some other technical and steep sections. This means people should assess their experience and ability for the route.
Keri says: “We are keen to encourage the route as a challenge and not only as an FKT target. Some people have completed the route in just under the 12 hours, while others have been much faster.
“The Aonach Eagach is a challenge for some people and Girls on Hills have already guided some women on the Swift Half route, including the ridge.
“The route is supported by the Clachaig Inn and Silva, and the Clachaig provides a half pint to anyone who can prove they have finished the Swift Half round.”
The first completion was by Robin Downie and Ewan Thorburn on July 29, 2024. They clocked 3:38:16 for a clockwise round by an unsupported pair.
The current FKT has been set by Finlay Wild in 3:16:17. His solo, unsupported round on July 24, 2025, was anti-clockwise.
Keri has the female FKT set on September 19, 2024.She clocked 5:51:00 for an anticlockwise, solo unsupported round, although there are faster round variations.
Find out more Girls on Hills Swift Half.
Other UK mountain rounds
- Ali’s Round – England
- Lunar Round – England
- Abraham’s Tea Round – England
- George Fisher Tea Round – England (there is also a shorter Espresso round)
- Martin Moran Round, which was created by a charity – Scotland
- Mountain Goat circuit – Wales