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
1678 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
12 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
44.06 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
Long strenuous route to two remote craggy mountains. There are routes between the crags so the need for scrambling is reduced. Cycling will shorten the time, but still a very long day.
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: Poolewe
At Poolewe (A832) park to start route.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,678 metres. Allow 12 hours to complete this 44.06 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 Poolewe Village on A832
NG86258141
Distance
Altitude 2 m
1
Follow private road/track SE to Kernsary
NG89347943
Distance 3.94 km
Altitude 33 m
2
Follow path SE to the N end of Strathan Buidhe
NG94307630
Distance 7.05 km
Altitude 250 m
3
Continue SE either by fording river or by the crossing 500m S in Srathan Buidhe
NG96827532
Distance 3.16 km
Altitude 190 m
4
Turn NE towards loch shore and the start of the causeway
NG97517566
Distance 0.78 km
Altitude 190 m
5
Head N across causeway
NG97497611
Distance 0.45 km
Altitude 170 m
6
Turn NE to Carnmore
NG98007675
Distance 0.87 km
Altitude 200 m
7
Ascend E on path to an altitude of 400m
NG99437666
Distance 1.47 km
Altitude 400 m
8
Leave path and ascend SSE on ridge past Fuar Loch Beag
NG99887583
Distance 0.96 km
Altitude 590 m
9
Continue your ascent SE
NH00497554
Distance 0.71 km
Altitude 785 m
10
Continue ascending SE to 948m top
NH00947522
Distance 0.55 km
Altitude 948 m
11
Continue SSW to summit of A' Mhaigdean
NH00787489
Distance 0.39 km
Altitude 967 m
12
Descend NE to col (750m)
NH01627543
Distance 1.00 km
Altitude 750 m
13
Scramble NE to summit of Ruadh Stac Mor
NH01847566
Distance 0.35 km
Altitude 918 m
14
Return SW to col
NH01627543
Distance 0.35 km
Altitude 750 m
15
Descend NW to Fuar Loch Mor to join path leading NW
NH00237750
Distance 3.19 km
Altitude 530 m
16
At branch head SW to rejoin approach route and return
NG86258141
Distance 18.86 km
Altitude 2 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
A' Mhaighdean (on the right) from the south-east end of Lochan Fada. Taken not far from the outflow into Gleann Bianasdail. Care should be taken when crossing this after heavy rain or snowmelt.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 8 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Alex Aikman
on 25 Jun 2009:
At step 3 on the route there is no need to go 500m upstrem to cross the stream. The good path crosses over on stepping stones just after turning south. Don't be tempted to cross over too soon as there is an obvious path seen across the stream from further back which leads down to a group of ruined sheilings but the stops there. Keep to the good laid path.
Written by
Julian Stark
on 17 Jun 2008:
Parked just across River Ewe (coming from south) car park on right. Cycled past Kernsary (track vg to here) and just kept going - got to where the path drops down towards the causeway beyond Strathan Buidhe and walked from there. 2 hour cycle to there - less on way back. 9 hours for the round. On way up A'Mhaighdean if you come to a sheer drop and an impossible looking pinnacle come back a few steps and look to the gully on North side - down for a few steps then turn right to regain path. Very quick descent on good path/track.
Written by
Fiona Masson
on 14 Jun 2008:
Parked just over bridge near School. Fantastic path. Camped just across causeway, bothy bit far from water if camping. Took 4.5 hours to here carrying gear. Gorgeous sunset. Next morning again followed great path. Decided on Ruadh Stac Mor first but instead of climbing to 750 col headed up slight scree above Fuar Loch Mor. This was easy as ground was very dry and summit reached quickly.Be careful descending to col as path quite badly eroded in places then fine path to summit of A'M.Descended via ridge working through crags to upward path. 6.5 hrs back to tent. Views not to be missed!
Written by
David Singleton
on 02 Jun 2008:
Only one word ,Awesome!!!!!
Written by
Craig Dunderdale
on 18 Aug 2007:
Stay at Shenavall bothy.Do all 6! It took 11 hrs 18 miles, 2300m ascent and kept dry feet altho watch out for the river in spate if wet, take your sandals. Fm Shenavall bothy (GR065,810 walk SE to 090787 follow shoulder up Chlaidheimh carry along S ridge. Contour Meal Garbh at approx 760m on W side. After Tarsuinn before ridge turns North head for 525 bealach long drag up A'Mhaighdean then down to bealach past the cave and up Ruadh Stac Mor. An obvious path all day long except up first Munro and descending the last. Fantastic day out in remote hills on a dry July day.
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.
