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
2180 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
18.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
74.52 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 route to remote mountains with unbridged streams/rivers 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: Inverness
From Inverness (A862) travel W to junction with the A831. Continue W on A831 to Struy. At Struy take the minor road through Glen Strathfarrar to the Gleann Innis an Loichel power station.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 2,180 metres. Allow 18.5 hours to complete this 74.52 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 Struy
NH40204041
Distance
Altitude 55 m
1
Drive (not always possible), or cycle to Gleann Innis an Loichel Power Station
NH18333816
Distance 26.45 km
Altitude 220 m
2
Head WSW on path to junction
NH15953732
Distance 2.35 km
Altitude 338 m
3
Head WSW on track/path, then SW to cross river and ascend towards Loch Beag
NH14873616
Distance 2.20 km
Altitude 615 m
4
Leave path and ascend SW to Meall Garbh
NH14043562
Distance 1.04 km
Altitude 815 m
5
Ascend west ridge of Coire Gnada to gain the summit ridge
NH13883478
Distance 0.93 km
Altitude 1095 m
6
Head SW along ridge to An Riabhachan summit
NH13373449
Distance 0.52 km
Altitude 1129 m
7
Bear SW along ridge to west top (1086m)
NH12283362
Distance 1.53 km
Altitude 1086 m
8
Bear NW to 1040m Top
NH11663381
Distance 0.66 km
Altitude 1040 m
9
Head WNW to top (1040m), then WSW to Bealach Bholla
NH11043350
Distance 0.85 km
Altitude 860 m
10
Ascend WSW to summit of An Socach
NH10063326
Distance 1.03 km
Altitude 1069 m
11
Return to Bealach Bholla
NH11043350
Distance 1.03 km
Altitude 836 m
12
Descend NNE on west slope of ridge
NH11653480
Distance 1.56 km
Altitude 700 m
13
Turn NE and cross easy slopes to reach path by Allt an Fheadain
NH13883662
Distance 2.98 km
Altitude 510 m
14
Return ENE to Power Station and then onwards to Struy
NH40204041
Distance 31.42 km
Altitude 55 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 1 vote
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Chris Bowles
on 08 Jan 2006:
For me it was a case of just bagging An Socach, if one is put off by the 'long walk in' from either direction then a man who lives on the shore of the loch will happily take you across on his boat, (approx. £10 each); its a good way of beginning the 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.