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
803 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
4.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
14.04 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.
Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.
Notes
Easy route on gentle slopes with no problems other than streams to cross.
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 W 2km on minor road to start of track 300m east of bridge over Allt a' Chaorainn.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 803 metres. Allow 4.5 hours to complete this 14.04 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 from parking near bridge
NN69289976
Distance
Altitude 315 m
1
Head N on track/path by Allt a' Chaorainn
NH69220177
Distance 2.29 km
Altitude 480 m
2
Leave path and ascend NW to ridge
NH67500386
Distance 2.50 km
Altitude 850 m
3
Follow ridge ENE to summit of A' Chailleach
NH68130417
Distance 0.70 km
Altitude 930 m
4
Descend N to cross Allt Cuil na Caillich and ascend NNE to Carn Sgulain
NH68380586
Distance 1.86 km
Altitude 920 m
5
Descend SSE to Allt Cuil na Caillich and descend E
NH68710513
Distance 0.83 km
Altitude 745 m
6
Traverse SE to the Allt a' Chaorainn
NH69260434
Distance 1.00 km
Altitude 575 m
7
Follow watershed S to regain path
NH69480248
Distance 1.92 km
Altitude 478 m
8
Continue S to rejoin approach route and return
NN69359979
Distance 2.94 km
Altitude 315 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 6 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Roger Green
on 18 Jul 2011:
I climbed these two along with Carn Dearg which must be a consideration - it makes it quite a long route but these is very little re-ascent. The wooden bridge at the end of the landrover track when heading towards A' Chailleach was essential as the stream was in pretty extreme spate. It was in a very poor state of repair though and felt a little dicey. I doubt it will last many more winters unless repaired.
Written by
Steve Mcewen
on 06 Jun 2006:
I climbed these 2 with Carn Dearg on 1/6/06. Doing the 3 makes a good circuit. I did the walk in a clockwise direction, climbing Carn Dearg via Glean Ballach. From there, it was a good high level walk to Carn Sgulain following the fence posts all the way from Carn Ban (you stay around 900m most of the way). There was plenty of wildlife too - Ptarmigan, Mountain Hare and Red Deer.
Written by
Adam Rixon
on 14 Jan 2005:
I climbed these hills as a warm-up at the start of a holiday up north, and they fitted the bill nicely. Not a particularly interesting or demanding ascent of A'Chailleach, but continuing to Carn Sgulain reveals an unexpectedly impressive NE-facing corrie. The most distinctive feature of Carn Sgulain is a line of fenceposts running up to the top, which says it all really! The descent down the Allt a'Chaorainn was the toughest part of the day, over rough ground until the path of ascent was regained .
Written by
John Walker
on 04 Jan 2004:
I attempted the round of the 3, including Carn Dearg, in thawing, heavy, knee to thigh-deep snow (4/1/04). What a nightmare! Had to give up at Meall a' Bhothain and descend between Geal Charn and Spiorraid an t-Seilich, down to the Allt Fionndrigh. Probably one on of the hardest days I've had in the hills, and given how easy they are, it shows how difficult conditions can completely change a walk!
Written by
Terry Thomson
on 13 Apr 2003:
I followed this route to both summits, but followed the Allt a'Chaorainn down from the summit of Carn Sgulain instead of heading to Am Bodach.
After initial steep drop, it is easy going, picking up a prominant path further down leading back to the start. A'Chailleach is the more interesting of the two, as Carn Sgulain would be a 'baggers only' if it were on its own. 13-04-2003. Hazy conditions.
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.
