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
1724 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
9 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
28.84 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, with an easy ascent to rocky ridges. These two remote peaks require a long day. A stay at Alltbeithe Youth Hostel will give more time in the wilderness.
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: Shiel Bridge
From Shiel Bridge (A87) at the head of loch Duich travel to point, 2km east of Cluanie Inn, where path through An Caorann Mor starts.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,724 metres. Allow 9 hours to complete this 28.84 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 junction of track through An Caorann Mor and A87 road
NH09191205
Distance
Altitude 0 m
1
Follow track NNW through An Caorann Mor
NH07711563
Distance 3.93 km
Altitude 410 m
2
Continue N on path
NH07491923
Distance 3.83 km
Altitude 304 m
3
Continue on path into Glen Affric
NH08072005
Distance 1.53 km
Altitude 258 m
4
Cross bridge at Alltbeithe and ascend N on path to Stob Coire na Cloiche
NH07922287
Distance 0.92 km
Altitude 915 m
5
Head E to An Socach
NH08812300
Distance 0.78 km
Altitude 921 m
6
Return W to Stob Coire na Cloiche
NH07922287
Distance 0.78 km
Altitude 915 m
7
Descend WSW onto ridge
NH07222251
Distance 0.79 km
Altitude 870 m
8
Continue W on ridge to minor top (970m)
NH06472252
Distance 0.75 km
Altitude 970 m
9
Continue WNW on ridge
NH05962262
Distance 0.53 km
Altitude 952 m
10
Ascend NW to summit of Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan
NH05702285
Distance 0.34 km
Altitude 1151 m
11
Head W to top (1143m)
NH05232284
Distance 0.49 km
Altitude 1143 m
12
Descend SE around corrie
NH05002247
Distance 0.43 km
Altitude 943 m
13
Continue S on ridge towards Beinn an t-Socaich
NH05082172
Distance 0.76 km
Altitude 880 m
14
Descend E into Coire Allt an Tuirc then SSE to join path
NH06522002
Distance 2.29 km
Altitude 300 m
15
Follow path E to Alltbeithe to rejoin approach route
NH09191205
Distance 10.71 km
Altitude 0 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 5 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Julian Stark
on 23 Jul 2007:
Did pretty well same as Craig Dunderdale but cycled in and out same day - and wished I hadn't! I haven't checked but it may be one of the few cycles where the start is higher than the bike dump and the cycle out was a nightmare and cost me a next day walk. Easily best part of day is views of other mountains - I didn't take much to the ones I was on. 10 hours for the lot.
YH is in just a wonderful setting and the person who looks after it checked what I was doing when I passed even though I wasn't staying which was really kind.
Written by
Craig Dunderdale
on 14 Jun 2007:
Bike in from Glen Affric car park (takes 1.5hrs) Stay at the Youth Hostel at Alltbeithe. The whole route has a clear path that takes 6.5hrs. Walk from the hostel up the path to the bealach. Head East up An Socach first then onto Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan & Mullach na Dheiragain. On return from furthest Munro at 835m bealach head ESE north of the loch and then continue upto Stob Coire na Cloiche thus saving a big walk round and big reascent. Return back down the path to the Hostel passing the highly entertaining path builders who stayed in the Hostel.
Written by
Chris Bowles
on 17 Apr 2006:
The route which takes in An Socach, Mullach na Dheiragain and Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan is excellent although long. It is filled with interest and you can cycle to the start point, making use of the good track that runs through the glen Affric starting at the head of Loch Beinn a' Meadhoin. The cycle is 13km each way, and then you start the walk! It is probably sensible to climb Socach first before dropping into the valley and ascending Dheiragain's lower ridge, making an easy walk to the summit, leaving the best (ceathreamhnan) till last. Therefore making a circular route.
Written by
George Morton
on 06 Sep 2004:
If coming from Loch Cluanie, the track up towards the watershed is good but after that the 'path' is a typical West Highland morass, physically and psychologically tiring, and time-consuming. If you only intend bagging Sgurr nan C. rather than both Munros, I advise an ascent from the Youth Hostel up the ridge north-west of it, sticking to the edge to avoid peat hags. The terrain is mercifully dry and grassy.
Written by
Malcolm Grey
on 05 Aug 2003:
Different to route described. From the north, with mountain bike access, Sgurr nan Ceathreamhan offers a good circuit on its own using its north trending ridges, & you are virtually guaranteed solitude. You can also visit the Falls of Glomach en route. Bikes can be hired from Willy at the Independent Hostel 6 miles up the loch from Dornie, or they're free if you stay 2 nights. Superb in winter but a very long day even with the bikes. (11 hrs winter, 8 hrs? summer). We did it on the first day of the foot & mouth ban (with permission), with perfect hard snow, blue skies & views.
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.
