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Home   Glossary

A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath]

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
930 m (3051 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NH68130417
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
251 of 283 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
The old woman
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  35   Kingussie and Monadhliath Mountains
Only £6.29  (£11.69 Laminated) from  

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
A' Chailleach is the highest of the two Munros on this section of the Monadhliath plateau. A broad undulating ridge runs SW to Geal Charn (889m) and from this ridge gentle slopes lead E and S to the third top Creag na h-lolare (815m).

To the W of the two SW tops are steep and craggy slopes and to there are crags to be avoided E of the summit. However, the SE slopes give easy access down to the track by the Allt a Chaorainn (the normal ascent route) and the N slopes are gentle down to the narrow glen of the Allt Cuil na Caillich on the other side of which is Carn Sgulain.

Hazards you may encounter on A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath] include
 Moorland Terrain, few distinct landmarks.
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.

Climb a Munro

Climb a Munro this year and help raise money for charity. Visit www.macmillan.org.uk for details
Picture Gallery for A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath]

Newtonmore with two of the Monadh Liath hills , A' Chailleach and Carn Sgulain behind.

© Bill Wales
Image by Bill Wales

A'Chailleach viewed across Glen Banhcor from Creag Dhubh, May '06

© Alex Bryce
Image by Alex Bryce

A'Chailleach on the descent down Allt a'Chaorainn from Carn Sgulain.

© Terry Thomson
Image by Terry Thomson

The summit on 14th Dec 2007

© Kevin Mckeown
Image by Kevin Mckeown
View All 13 Images for A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath]

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Cairngorms * Monadhliath
by MWIS (PDF format) 		Monadhliath Mountains
by Accuweather 		East Highlands
by Met Office 		Carn Dearg
by Metcheck
A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath] Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
Results by distance 'as the crow flies' from A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath]
Please check the provision of roads in the area.
11.5 km
Crubenbeg House
Falls of Truim, Newtonmore,
11.5 km
Crubenbeg Highland Holiday Cottages
Crubenbeg, Falls of Truim, Newtonmore
23.7 km
Allt na Braighe Cottage
27 Braeriach Court, Aviemore
37.6 km
BCC LOCH NESS HOSTEL
Bearnock Country Centre, Glen Urquhart, Drumnadrochit
For information on camping visit
ScottishCamping.com who also produce
a map of scottish camp grounds.
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The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath].

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath]
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 803 m 14.04 km 4.5 hrs A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath] and Carn Sgulain  Easy route on gentle slopes with no problems other than streams to cross.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath]

  Baggers Gallery for A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath]

A cold and very windy summit

© Jude Hartley
Image by Jude Hartley

A' Chailleach (Monadh Liath) Aug'10

© Mike Blake
Image by Mike Blake

Top of A' chailleach 23.11.09

© Dave Smith
Image by Dave Smith

The Wee Black Dug was unconvinced that sitting in the snow for a photo was entirely necessary. Particularly because she'd been up this hill before. December '09.

© Scott Blair
Image by Scott Blair
View All 17 Baggers Images for A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath]
The logging section stores any entries for A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath] in your own log. From here you can
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  Logging
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If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs

Post a few words about A' Chailleach [Monadh Liath] or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Jonathan Small
wrote on
August 30, 2009
Did this 27 Aug. whole round inc Carn Dearg. A long day but worth it. On the way to A'Chailleach, look for the footbridge deep in the burn ravine: once past the initial woods and gates after about 1 km, look for a clear path leading left down toward the burn which is nearby at that point. At the end of the day, descending Carn Dearg it's best to get to the "road" by the Allt Fionndrigh, rather than going down Gleann Ballach. Crossing the watershed isn't too bad, if rather wet. There are rather indistinct tracks. Getting back to Shepherd's Bridge after that felt surprisingly easy.
norrie hunter
wrote on
August 26, 2009
Went up through Shepherds Bridge to A'chailleach. Looked for a bridge to cross a fast flowing river but never did and got our feet wet. Uninspiring hill yet the wildlife was amazing. Frogs,newts, wild mountain hare amongst many. Sun came out late on to keep us cheery
Mark Lean
wrote on
March 2, 2005
Just be aware the narrow glen mentioned (Allt Cuil na Caillich ) is a deep sided burn. In winter it holds alot of snow with several cornices. These can be avoided by following the burn to the east where the slopes are gentler and safer. I agree it's not the most exciting hill but a real good shake down for those ice axe and crampon skills.
Andrew Campion
wrote on
June 28, 2004
I lived and grew up in Newtonmore for 10 years and never developed a love for hill climbing. I moved to Glasgow to study and almost immediately I was in the city I wanted to be back in the hills. It struck me that "The Old Woman" - A'Chailleach was my local Munro and I had never climbed her. From Shepherds Bridge in Newtonmore I followed the landrover track north, crossed the stream at the end of the track and headed north to the summit. There really is nothing else to report. The hill has no redeeming features except a mildly rocky buttress on the eastern slopes of the summit. From the landrover track it is a slow pull up heathery slopes and deep peat hags to a small path 100 meters below the summit. The unremarkable, flat, broad and windy summit gives good views of the Monadh Liath mountains, however, the best view was to the east to the Cairngorm massiv where snow can still be seen on the peaks in june. As a local boy, my heart would love me to promote A’Chailleach as a great half-day in the hills. Unfortunately my head says there are probably 283 other Munro’s to better spend your effort on.
Fred Mollison
wrote on
May 19, 2004
Once you have left the car park and head up towards Achailleach you should look out for a small foot bridge that is not easily seen on 1:50000 map it is down at the foot of enbankment and covered from sight by trees and foliage. Once over this then it it a case of following the path, not always obvious to see until you reach the Red roofed bothy then on up the path to the sumit. Can be a bit cold when the wind is fresh. A nice walk.
 
 

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  Route Write-Ups
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