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
1481 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
6 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
15.49 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
Difficult route which requires a head for exposure and scrambling skills. To avoid scramble ascend by descent route.
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) travel N 1.5km then W on minor road through Morvich to bridge over River Croe.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,481 metres. Allow 6 hours to complete this 15.49 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 Innis a' Chrotha, in Strath Croe
NG96782108
Distance
Altitude 15 m
1
Cross River Croe and ascend ENE to Beinn Bhuidhe
NG98582166
Distance 1.94 km
Altitude 497 m
2
Continue ESE turning SSE to summit of Sgurr a' Choire Ghairbh
NG99502086
Distance 1.33 km
Altitude 870 m
3
Head SSW on ridge then scramble steeply down to Hunters pass
NG99302034
Distance 0.60 km
Altitude 815 m
4
Ascend SE to minor top (891m)
NG99522014
Distance 0.32 km
Altitude 891 m
5
Follow curved ridge SE to Meall Fhuarain Mhoir
NG99991963
Distance 0.75 km
Altitude 954 m
6
Head ESE across the Plaide Mhor to Beinn Fada summit
NH01861926
Distance 1.95 km
Altitude 1032 m
7
Bear NNW on ridge
NH01151996
Distance 1.04 km
Altitude 840 m
8
Continue N on ridge to Meall a' Bhealaich
NH01222104
Distance 1.17 km
Altitude 782 m
9
Descend NE turning N to Bealach an Sgairn (A is descent also possible NNW from ridge into corrie)
NH01572139
Distance 0.59 km
Altitude 515 m
10
Follow path W to junction
NH00642139
Distance 0.95 km
Altitude 410 m
11
Follow path to the NW through Gleann Choinneachain
NG98682230
Distance 2.35 km
Altitude 147 m
12
Continue on path WSW
NG97202180
Distance 1.60 km
Altitude 42 m
13
Continue on path SW to return
NG96782108
Distance 0.93 km
Altitude 15 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
I took a party of inexperienced hillwalkers over the excellent rocky ridge (scramble) of Meall an Fhuarain Mhoir on this ascent of Beinn Fhada, July 2008. Photo taken in the middle of the ridge, just before the so called 'bad step'.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 3 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Craig Dunderdale
on 14 Jun 2007:
Climbed both A'Ghlas-bheinn & Beinn Fhada by cycling in from Glen Affric car park (takes 1.5hrs) walked from Alltbeithe Scottish Youth Hostel. Walked up Gleann Gniomhaidh. From the Bealach head North first to the Munro and then South up the steep wall of Meall a' Bealaich onto Beinn Fhada. There are plenty of hand holds and the scrambling isn't too bad (far easier than coming down it). Follow the ridge heading east back towards the hostel and keeping your feet dry.
Written by
Rob Jeffries
on 08 Jun 2005:
Seems a long way from sea level to the first top - but worth it. The serrated views of Sgurr a'Choire Garbh from Ratagan are brought home in the ups and downs on the way to some steeply inclinded slabs that will require some "5-point contact" to descend. Then it's easy going to the summit. I continued SE to bag Sgurr a'Dubh Doire, then NE, E and finally curving N to descend the long ridge, ford the Allt Gleann Gniomhaidh and ascend back to Bealach an Sgairne, then bagged A' Ghlas Bheinn for good measure. Descend NW from AGB and DO NOT try and cut through the VERY dense forestry - major mistake
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.
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