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
1183 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
7 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
23.12 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 walking in a beautiful area. Care needed crossing stream when in spate.
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: Dalwhinnie
From Dalwhinnie follow road South then join A9 road, continue South for approx. 4KM. Balsporran cottages can be found on your right.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,183 metres. Allow 7 hours to complete this 23.12 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 Balsporran cottages on the A9 road
NN62837922
Distance
Altitude 423 m
1
Cross railway via gates and head W to gain ascent ridge
NN61647925
Distance 1.28 km
Altitude 555 m
2
Climb path SW up to summit of Geal-Charn
NN59657826
Distance 2.26 km
Altitude 917 m
3
Continue SSW and drop to approx 740m
NN59257663
Distance 1.75 km
Altitude 740 m
4
Ascend SE to summit of A' Mharconaich
NN60437629
Distance 1.38 km
Altitude 975 m
5
Head SW along ridge.
NN60137586
Distance 0.53 km
Altitude 986 m
6
Return along ridge following a line of broken fence posts and continue SW down to col (860m)
NN59157523
Distance 1.74 km
Altitude 860 m
7
Ascend SSW on ridge
NN58827463
Distance 0.68 km
Altitude 875 m
8
Continue your ascent W on ridge
NN58307458
Distance 0.59 km
Altitude 967 m
9
Bear SW to summit of Beinn Udlamain
NN57967396
Distance 0.74 km
Altitude 1011 m
10
Follow fence S on ridge
NN57937295
Distance 0.85 km
Altitude 840 m
11
Head E and ascend
NN58937313
Distance 1.07 km
Altitude 925 m
12
Ascend SE onto summit ridge
NN59367269
Distance 0.64 km
Altitude 946 m
13
Bear NE to trig-point and summit of Sgairneach Mhor
NN59897313
Distance 0.70 km
Altitude 991 m
14
Continue E around corrie rim
NN60357321
Distance 0.48 km
Altitude 903 m
15
Descend NE on ridge
NN60767360
Distance 0.56 km
Altitude 815 m
16
Continue E to the end of the North East spur
NN61437368
Distance 0.74 km
Altitude 758 m
17
Drop NE into Coire Dhomhain, cross stream (no bridge) to join landrover track
NN62587524
Distance 2.22 km
Altitude 510 m
18
Follow track ENE to rejoin A9 road
NN63227547
Distance 0.76 km
Altitude 475 m
19
Walk N along cycle track to starting point
NN62837922
Distance 4.20 km
Altitude 423 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
Like the idea of a more mobile base for your next Munro?
Fantastic, high quality, heated, 2-4 berth campervans for hire.
The perfect year-round base, freedom to choose where you go to get the most from the weather, and a cosy base to come back to after a great day on the hill!
Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 9 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Neil Campbell
on 12 May 2010:
My wife and I did these 4 on the 10th of May 2010. Very cold wind and occasional hail showers but the views were excellent. We added another hour to bag the sow of atholl then another hour back along the A9. 8hrs in total I think.
Written by
Andrew Blair
on 27 Jul 2009:
This route is a delight! Much better than I expected having never been excited by these hills when I've driven through them. I'm sure the sunny weather played a part in it as the views were lovely in all directions. Please take a moment to go to the end of the ridge at A'Marchonaich - I watched several folk go as far as the cairn, look at their maps & turn around to head for Beinn Udlamain! They missed awesome views overlooking the corrie. 1 thing - you're on your own getting back to the A9 from Sgairneach Mhor. The clear path I followed suddenly ended & I had to wade through deep heather.
Written by
Scott Strathdee
on 05 Oct 2007:
I only took 6 hrs for this route that included the walk back along the road . Stunning views all around you.
Written by
Rob Jeffries
on 07 Jun 2004:
Munro-baggers could even experience the thrill of a Corbett by adding the Sow of Atholl onto the end of the walk for only another 200m or so of ascent!
Written by
John Mcallister
on 19 Apr 2004:
A good route. It bags 4 munros, not too long, not to much ascent, great views and easily ascessible. Handly having two cars.
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.
