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Carn Liath (Beinn a' Ghlo)

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
975 m (3198 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.
NN93616987
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
181 of 282 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
Grey peak (Hill of the mist)
 

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.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  43   Braemar & Blair Atholl
 

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

  Description
Carn Liath is the smallest of the Beinn a' Ghlo group. It is a compact mountain with single long ridge twisting N from the summit towards Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain. The lower slopes are deep heather and the upper slopes grass with stony areas.

Most slope inclines are moderate with many stony areas but no cliffs. There is a well trodden path up the SW face of Carn Liath and this path continues along the summit ridge to Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain.

Hazards you may encounter on Carn Liath include
 Crags within 1km of 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.
Picture Gallery for Carn Liath

The distant peaks of Beinn a' Ghlo viewed from Beinn Udlamain.

© Bill Wales
Image by Bill Wales

Carn Liath from near the Clunie Power Staion on the River Tummel 21/10/12

© Alistair Craig
Image by Alistair Craig

Carn Liath seen after "fording" the small burn returning from Carn nan Gabhar

© Alistair Craig
Image by Alistair Craig

Carn Liath from Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain

© Allan Taylor
Image by Allan Taylor
View All 25 Images for Carn Liath

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

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Southeastern Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		East Highlands
by Met Office 		Derry Cairngorm
by Metcheck
Carn 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
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Carn Liath.

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

  Routes that include Carn Liath
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1480 m 22.38 km 7 hrs Carn nan Gabhar, Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain and Carn Liath  Beinn a' Ghlo is a classic route on moderate heather/grass slopes leading to stony summits. This complex mountain could be difficult to navigate in poor visibility.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Carn Liath

  Baggers Gallery for Carn Liath

At the top of Carn Liath 30/06/13

© Peter Cook
Image by Peter Cook

Summit of Carn Liath

© Tony Dick
Image by Tony Dick

Bill & Charmaine on summit of Carn Liath - 28th May 2011.

© Lynda Langlands
Image by Lynda Langlands

Mannofiled Hillwalking Club on summit of Carn Liath - 28th May 2011

© Lynda Langlands
Image by Lynda Langlands
View All 20 Baggers Images for Carn Liath
The logging section stores any entries for Carn Liath in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
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  Logging
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Recently Climbed By
Alister Richmond on 01 Apr 2024
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Kathleen Ritchie on 17 Nov 2023
Adam Rixon on 17 Nov 2023
Alastair Mcausland on 03 Sep 2023
Robert Simpson on 26 Apr 2023

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 Carn Liath or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 9 comments. Would you like to view all 9?
Leon Mooney
wrote on
July 23, 2010
Climbed on 22/7/10 starting from the usual road-side space near Monzie. This was the day after Perth was flooded, so the flat area around the foot of this hill need several detours to avoid the mud and marsh. Ascent was a slog despite the fine path, but this was more than compensated for by the excellent views at the summit, especially that of Parts 2 and 3 of Beinn a' Ghlo. Didn't stay long at the top as I was being bothered by a couple of wasps.
Mike Ramsay
wrote on
April 6, 2009
Fine walk on a clear sunny April day. Cold & very windy on tops but a good challenge with great views (especially of the Cairngorms) & interesting corries all over the place. Two notes of caution - the relentless, often boggy, trudge back out through Glen Girnaig, an unspoilt wilderness, after steep rocky descent from Airgiod Beinn. Also echo previous entry about access road - follow road to Glen Fender & Monzie (right just before Old Br. of Tilt) after 2m take right fork for 1m to wee car park (6 max but parking on roadside short of this before cattle-grid) just short of Monzie at L.Moraig.
Hilary Neilson
wrote on
September 25, 2007
Just a hint on the approach roads, the area is a rabbit warren of little roads and tracks, easy to miss the one you want, from the South, as you enter Blair Atholl there is a Petrol Station and a Hotel, 100 yards from the Bridge of Tilt Hotel is a turning on the right, signposted Glen Fendoch, keep going until the road splits in 2, and take the right hand road signposted Monzie, this takes you to the Loch and the carpark. Cant really comment on the mountain, didnt see much of it, another pea soup day.
Peter Wilson
wrote on
August 5, 2007
What a day - 3 Munros - visability excellent - a bit windy on the peaks but otherwise excellent - one of the best days ever for great walking and stunning 360 degree views - no navigation issues on a day like this but the route described turns south after descent from Airgoid Beinn but there is a path if you continue SSW (not on map) but visible on a clear day from descent
Graham Woodcock
wrote on
April 22, 2007
Climbed in April 2007. Sadly most of the day was spent in cloud, but I would come back here on a clear day. I really recommend doing the whole range but in low cloud it can be difficult to find the descent to the col leading to Carn nan Gabhar - I wasn't the only one to miss it today!
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
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