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
1759 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
8.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
25.80 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
This is a big day with some steep slopes to ascend. You can shorten the route by omitting Cona' Meall which can be climbed from the south or west.
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: Ullapool
From Ullapool (A835) travel 11km SSW to Inverlael.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,759 metres. Allow 8.5 hours to complete this 25.80 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 Inverlael on A835
NH18228525
Distance
Altitude 14 m
1
Follow track E through forest to second bridge over River Lael
NH20468518
Distance 2.31 km
Altitude 117 m
2
Cross river to north bank and head SE on track/path through Gleann na Sguaib
NH23388350
Distance 3.60 km
Altitude 435 m
3
At branch in path bear left, and ascend path E towards Lochan a Chnapaich
NH25098383
Distance 2.04 km
Altitude 715 m
4
Leave path and ascend NE, turning E to summit of Eididh nan Clach Geala
NH25788421
Distance 0.84 km
Altitude 927 m
5
Descend SE to col (760m)
NH26608371
Distance 1.00 km
Altitude 760 m
6
Ascend SW to Ceann Garbh (967m) then bear SSW to Meall nan Ceapraichean
NH25738257
Distance 1.53 km
Altitude 977 m
7
Descend SE to broad beallach (850m) with lochans
NH26298189
Distance 0.90 km
Altitude 850 m
8
Ascend ESE on boulder strewn slopes to summit of Cona Mheall
NH27488166
Distance 1.25 km
Altitude 978 m
9
Return to 850-bealach
NH26298189
Distance 0.90 km
Altitude 850 m
10
Ascend SW to summit of Beinn Dearg
NH25948119
Distance 1.12 km
Altitude 1084 m
11
Return to 850-bealach
NH26298189
Distance 1.12 km
Altitude 850 m
12
Follow path NW to rejoin ascent route
NH18228525
Distance 9.21 km
Altitude 14 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 7 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Craig Dunderdale
on 18 Oct 2007:
Excellent day out. Very obvious well maintained path from Inverlael.The path remains obvious for the majority of the day. With Beinn Dearg signs at the 2 important points in the forestry road. Route as per description took 7hrs 10 mins, 1880m ascent and was 16 miles long.
Written by
Fiona Masson
on 28 Jun 2005:
27.6.05-Timber operations in Inverlael forest with 'no unauthorised entry' signs but workers let us through, thankfully as had just driven 2 hours to get here.Nice walk up Glensguaib to col. Missed out B Dearg having already climbed previously, easy walking to other 3 hills. Pity they weren't all this easy/pleasant! The gorgeous weather helped. Some care required dropping from top Ceann Garbh, craggy parts down to col but then gentle climb to Eididh N C Geala.Good paths just about all the way.
Written by
Julian Stark
on 10 Jun 2005:
Did route exactly as shown here except came down on the NW ridge (Diollard a Mhill Bhric) of Beinn Dearg which kept us at height for longer and made it more of a round - drop down and over river at gate at edge of forest used on way out. Steep drop at end on heather mostly but not far down and path of sorts there. River cross near fence. Glad we did it this way - great views (on clear day) towards Torridon etc.
Written by
Stuart Wilson
on 28 May 2003:
Our intention was to miss out on Cona' Mheall and only do the round of the other 3 Munros - this we achieved in 6 hours exactly. The drop down and up to Cona'Mheall from the bealach looked quite steep compared to the easy route up Meall nan Ceapraichean. The walk in and out along Glean na Squaib was very enjoyable.
Written by
Paul Richardson
on 10 Mar 2003:
Everything on this walk was stunningly beautiful - but then so was the weather! We camped at 2500ft not far from Ceapraichean after driving up from Durham and walking in from Inverlael, then we enjoyed a superb evening "stroll" over to Seana Braigh for good measure! Next day we did the round much as described, with superlative views to the Fannaichs, Torridon, and Coigach. This is essentially a walk - no scrambly bits to speak of - but one that stirs the soul and lives in the memory.
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.
