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
1334 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
6.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
20.46 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 but relatively easy route. Approach is on well maintained path, but summit of Creag Meagaidh may be difficult to locate in poor visibility. Descent path is muddy in places. Coire Ardair is beautiful, and the views from route to Carn Liath are excelle
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: Kingussie
From Kingussie (A86) travel W to Aberarder on the shore of Loch Laggan. Park in the Nature Reserve car park.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,334 metres. Allow 6.5 hours to complete this 20.46 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 carpark on A86
NN48308726
Distance
Altitude 254 m
1
Walk NW towards buildings at Aberarder
NN47988754
Distance 0.45 km
Altitude 270 m
2
Follow path NW across boardwalk
NN47368826
Distance 1.20 km
Altitude 410 m
3
Continue NW on path through trees
NN46028946
Distance 1.87 km
Altitude 510 m
4
Continue SW to Coire Ardair
NN43958833
Distance 2.46 km
Altitude 622 m
5
From lochan ascend WNW to narrow bealach known as "The Window"
NN42618857
Distance 1.41 km
Altitude 935 m
6
Ascend SSE onto broad featureless plateau
NN42758783
Distance 0.93 km
Altitude 1085 m
7
Head WSW to Creag Meagaidh summit (beyond Mad Meg's Cairn)
NN41878753
Distance 0.81 km
Altitude 1130 m
8
Return ENE across Plateau
NN42758783
Distance 0.81 km
Altitude 1085 m
9
Descend N to window
NN42618857
Distance 0.93 km
Altitude 982 m
10
Ascend N turning NNE to summit of Stob Poite Coire Ardair
NN42938885
Distance 0.49 km
Altitude 1054 m
11
Head NE to minor top (991m) overlooking Coire Chriochairein
NN44798994
Distance 2.33 km
Altitude 991 m
12
Continue NE to Meall an t-Snaim
NN45899048
Distance 1.25 km
Altitude 969 m
13
Descend SE then ascend E to Carn Liath Summit
NN47229035
Distance 1.50 km
Altitude 1006 m
14
Descend SSE to Na Cnapanan
NN47618887
Distance 1.74 km
Altitude 615 m
15
Descend SSW to join path
NN47368827
Distance 0.68 km
Altitude 410 m
16
Follow path SE to return to start
NN48308726
Distance 1.63 km
Altitude 254 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 8 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
David Johnston
on 13 Feb 2008:
Did this route as decribed in febuary on a nice sunny day the views from Creag Meagaith are spectacular. The climb up to the window was interesting due to a good covering of snow. Once you get to the first summit its a fairly easy walk along the ridge to the other two munros. The path down from Carn Liath was fairly boggy in the middle section but easy to follow. A great day out 6.5 hours to complete.
Written by
Niall MacKinnon
on 24 Oct 2007:
Did this the anti-clockwise direction on advice of friend. Completely missed the path to Carn Liath - the elsewhere advertised 'cairn' at the side of the main path is very small pile of stones I found on way back down and the path is quite overgrown at start so very easy to miss, as are the fence posts. 100m into birch trees and no more. I then climbed very steep side to rejoin intended route, then onto Stob Poite. Returning for Meagaidh another day. Great views, great route (as long as you don't stride past it!) and the path to and from The Window is very good condition.
Written by
Craig Dunderdale
on 04 Aug 2006:
I'm reasonably fit and this took 7hrs. I had a fantastic day in great weather! Take the route suggested and you get amazing views of the cliffs and "The Window". The window not that steep compared to some bealachs. Not hard navigationally but small points to remember. 1.Creag Meagaidh summit is past Mad Meg's Cairn. 2. The summit of Stob Poite Coire Ardair is fairly flat so can be missed in poor viz 3. The descent south from Carn Liath takes you on an obvious path that becomes more vague and winds it's way though bushes and trees rejoining the main path into the valley at NN4729 8833.
Written by
Bobby Mcginty
on 21 May 2006:
Same route, took 7 hours, spectacular views.
Written by
Kathleen Haddow
on 16 Jul 2005:
Really enjoyable walk. The window is steep, with loose stones underfoot but no great difficulty. Once on the summit plateau, the cairn can be hard to locate in the mist: be sure not to think Mad Meg's Cairn is the true summit!
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.
summit (beyond Mad Meg's Cairn)
