Geal Charn [Monadh Liath] Route Information

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Geal Charn [Monadh Liath]

Quick Facts

This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.

Total Ascent

952 m

An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.

Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.

Route Time

6.5 hrs

The horizontal distance of the route.

Route Distance

22.90 km

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 (£13.49 Laminated) from

A brief summary of this route.

Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.

Notes

Easy route to the summit of the most western of the Monadh Liath hills.

Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.

We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.

Travel Information

Head to: Newtonmore

From Newtonmore travel SW 12km on A86 to Laggan then continue W on minor road to start of track at Garva Bridge.

Route Waypoint Map

The total ascent is 952 metres. Allow 6.5 hours to complete this 22.90 km route.

In winter months please check the local snow conditions at sais.gov.uk.

The hillphones service can inform you of stalking activities in the area.

Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.

The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.

Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.

Route Information

Waypoint Detail

	Start at Garva Bridge
		NN52109478	Distance	Altitude 298 m

1	Follow track NNE to cross river and take path by Feith Talagain N
		NN52559588	Distance 1.28 km	Altitude 330 m

2	Continue NE to Allt Coire nan Dearcag
		NN54019674	Distance 1.87 km	Altitude 437 m

3	From end of path as shown on map, continue NE to summit of Geal Charn
		NN56159879	Distance 3.00 km	Altitude 926 m

4	Reverse route to return OR descend NE around corrie
		NN56649931	Distance 0.71 km	Altitude 870 m

5	Continue ENE around corrie
		NN57449942	Distance 0.83 km	Altitude 750 m

6	Ascend ESE onto Bruach nam Boidag
		NN57909933	Distance 0.47 km	Altitude 753 m

7	Descend SE to join path in Glen Markie
		NN58849867	Distance 1.17 km	Altitude 500 m

8	Follow Track SSW down Glen Markie
		NN57719459	Distance 4.50 km	Altitude 325 m

9	Continue SE to road
		NN58249354	Distance 1.18 km	Altitude 263 m

10	Head SW on road
		NN56639289	Distance 2.51 km	Altitude 293 m

11	Continue NNW on road
		NN53509358	Distance 3.25 km	Altitude 310 m

12	Follow road NW to reach the start
		NN52129480	Distance 2.14 km	Altitude 298 m

A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.

Weather

Cairngorms * Monadhliath
by MWIS (PDF format)

East Highlands
by Met Office

Carn Dearg
by Metcheck

Images of Geal Charn [Monadh Liath]

Approaching the 'Whale Back' SW ridge of Geal Charn (Monadhlaith Mountains).

Image by Terry Thomson

Geal Charn taken during a recent outing 2nd April 09. Beware the cornices !

Image by Colin Fridge

Geal Charn from the south side of the Spey dam loch in evening light

Image by Roger Coppock

summit of Geal Charn taken from the carpark at Garva Bridge 6-5-16 still a few patches of snow around

Image by robin scott

Route 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.

Rating & Reviews

Rating & Reviews

Rated:

from 8 votes

Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating

Written by Alex Bryce on 21 Apr 2006:

I walked up and down from Glen Markie, which was a very enjoyable route. Glen Markie has quite a distinctive peace and quietness about it, it seems off the beaten track from many of the surrounding peaks. Climbed it on the Bank Holiday weekend and had the hill to ourselves apart form one other couple. Terrific viewpoint also, with uninterrupted views to the north and northwest as far as the eye can see. Under-rated mountain.

Written by David Jones on 07 Nov 2005:

I climbed this Munro last week (30/10/2005) but started at Sherramore Lodge (NN550934) which is a little nearer the summit. 100 meters or so after the bridge over the Spey, there's a little bridge over one of the tributaries. After that, it's a fairly long trudge through the bog, but there's a path of sorts at the top.

Written by Stephen Graham on 10 Jul 2005:

We used the Glen Markie route as we wanted to see the lochan and the crags. An easy landrover track is followed for a few miles then a faint (at times very faint!) path leads up beside the stream and then onto the ridge from which it's an easy wander to the summit. There were some boggy bits but nothing too bad - no summit views though as the cloudbase was at about 3000ft. On the way back we decide to take a closer look at the lochan so dropped down the gully between the summit and Beinn Sgiath, before skirting the loch and crossing rough ground back to the path.

Written by Gavin Matthews on 04 Jul 2005:

Extensive views of the lush rolling Monadliath contrast nicely with the picturesque lochan at the foot of the cliffs E. of the summit. This is the reward though for the slog through bogs and vegetation that is required wherever one leaves the Glen Markie track and heads accross the pathless moorland to the summit.

Written by Michael Will on 27 Feb 2005:

Climbed on 26 Feb 2005. Hill covered in snow but a fair amount of heather underfoot. Well worth the walk just for the views (if it's a clear day of course). Car park available at the Garva Bridge (no cost!). We took a compass baring from near the end of the path on the OS map and walked direct to the summit. When crossing the stream, best to be on higher ground (common sense) as the melting snow made our crossing a bit wet for one in our group. Overall a fairly easy walk.

Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map, a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.

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