Caisteal Abhail, Beinn Tarsuinn [Arran] and Cir Mhor Route Information

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Caisteal Abhail, Beinn Tarsuinn [Arran] & Cir Mhor

Quick Facts

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

1702 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

20.32 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.

OS Landranger Maps Required

69	Isle of Arran

Only £6.29 (£13.49 Laminated) from

A brief summary of this route.

Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.

Notes

A long route on ridges to three craggy peaks. Good stamina and a head for exposure required.

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: Brodick, Isle of Arran

From Brodick take A841 NW to junction with B880. Go W 100m then N on minor road to Glenrosa.

Route Waypoint Map

The total ascent is 1,702 metres. Allow 7 hours to complete this 20.32 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 end of public road at Glenrosa.
		NS00113762	Distance	Altitude 20 m

1	Follow the road then path to the Garbh Allt and cross to the N bank (if safe to do so)
		NR98243871	Distance 2.31 km	Altitude 46 m

2	Go W on path by Garbh Allt
		NR97243844	Distance 1.04 km	Altitude 274 m

3	Follow path NW into Coire na Cuiseig and onto SE ridge of Beinn Nuis
		NR95643968	Distance 2.09 km	Altitude 694 m

4	Follow path WSW by Garbh Allt then NW to summit of Beinn Nuis
		NR95553993	Distance 3.10 km	Altitude 792 m

5	Follow path NNW and descend onto ridge
		NR95494021	Distance 0.30 km	Altitude 703 m

6	Follow ridge NE
		NR95854073	Distance 0.64 km	Altitude 766 m

7	Continue N on S ridge of Beinn Tarsuinn
		NR95874104	Distance 0.32 km	Altitude 768 m

8	Follow path NNE to summit of Beinn Tarsuinn
		NR95974127	Distance 0.26 km	Altitude 826 m

9	Descend steeply to col where paths intersect
		NR96294155	Distance 0.42 km	Altitude 647 m

10	Scramble along A Chir ridge or take bypass path on west side and rejion ridge at N end of A Chir ridge
		NR96564269	Distance 1.18 km	Altitude 611 m

11	Follow path NNE to col (590m) where alternative path ascends to ridge from Glen Rosa
		NR96834288	Distance 0.33 km	Altitude 590 m

12	Bear NE turning N on W slopes of Cir Mhor
		NR96994325	Distance 0.43 km	Altitude 654 m

13	Continue NNW onto SW ridge of Caisteal Abhail
		NR96694387	Distance 0.69 km	Altitude 693 m

14	Follow curving path N to Caisteal Abhail
		NR96924433	Distance 0.54 km	Altitude 859 m

15	Return SW along ridge
		NR96694387	Distance 0.54 km	Altitude 693 m

16	Follow ridge SSW to Cir Mhor
		NR96994325	Distance 0.69 km	Altitude 654 m

17	Ascend SE to summit Cir Mhor
		NR97284311	Distance 0.34 km	Altitude 799 m

18	Descend to 590 col for easy ascent or if you prefer a scramble descend steeply E to The Saddle
		NR97874308	Distance 0.59 km	Altitude 438 m

19	Descend S into Glen Rosa and continue S to join approach route at Garbh Allt
		NS00113762	Distance 4.53 km	Altitude 46 m

A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.

Weather

West Highlands
by Met Office

Ben Lomond
by Metcheck

Images of Caisteal Abhail, Beinn Tarsuinn [Arran] & Cir Mhor

The summit of Cir Mhor from the north; 27th April 2008.

© Roger Vander Steen

Image by Roger Vander Steen

Caisteal Abhail from Cir Mhor's summit.

© Stevie Lees

Image by Stevie Lees

Cir Mhor Viewed from the summit of goatfell with Caisteal Abhail clearly seen in the background

© John Graham

Image by John Graham

The north-east ridge of Beinn Tarsuinn from Beinn a' Chliabhain; 4 April 2012.

© Roger Vander Steen

Image by Roger Vander Steen

Route Area Map

Legend

Munro

Corbett

Graham

English/Welsh Top

Accommodation

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Where to Stay

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Rating & Reviews

Rating & Reviews

Rated:

from 1 vote

Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating

Written by Kevin Woods on 28 Jul 2008:

I climbed the Corbetts of Arran each on their own, and so didn't follow the route given, yet they're some of the best hills I have climbed on. As well as great views, they give you the option of taking the hard or easy route around - they aren't to be missed.

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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