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Munros
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Carn Ghluasaid (957m, Munro 203)
Sgurr nan Conbhairean (1109m, Munro 44)
Sail Chaorainn (1002m, Munro 133)
A'Chralaig (1120m, Munro 33)
Mullach Fraoch-choire (1102m, Munro 49)
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Corbetts
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Aonach Shasuinn* (888m)
Carn a'Choire Ghairbh* (865m)
*see 'Alternative Routes' below
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Ascent
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1850m (6,050ft)
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Distance
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23km (14.5m)
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Time
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walking : 8:50hr*, running : 5hr
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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Main route summary
Most people divide these peaks into two groups, however the lowest point between the groups is 740m, it therefore makes sense to bag them all in one outing !
An initial start up on a well defined stalkers path, gradually leads into to a remote area as progress is made.
The terrain on the eastern three Munros is mainly of grass and heather cover.
The western pair of of A'Chralaig, Mullach Fraoch-choire are more airy, with some boulderfields and some easy scrambling.
If doing this route in winter conditions, ice-axe and crampon work will be required to tackle the last haul of the day up a narrow ridge on Mullach Fraoch-choire.
The high peaks of A'Chralaig, Mullach Fraoch-choire and Sgurr nan Conbhairean give superb views over the Five Sisters and Affric to Skye, Torridon and beyond.
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| main route outline | print route |
Getting there
On the A87, 4km west of Loch Cluanie Dam (marked 'Lundie' on the OS maps) there is flat area with ample space to park or stay overnight. 6km further west of this is the route's finish point, therefore savvy folk will arrange some form of transport between the two points.
Carn Ghluasaid
Cross the road, up the old road to the start of a bulldozed track uphill. Nearby is a memorial boulder by the bridge over the burn. Head up the track (part of the old military road, but recently re-constructed to put in a mobile phone mast), through a fence to a cairn by the phone mast. Turn right (north), follow a path, past a couple of roadside bollards (why are these are here ?), then into some squelch ! The path continues wet for a bit, then higher up crosses some stone slabs and two burns. Shortly thereafter the path starts to zig-zags up the hill and turns onto Carn Ghluasaid's west arm. The rate of ascent eases, the boulders gradually fade into grassy ground and the two summit cairns overlooking a craggy coire are reached.
Sgurr nan Conbhairean
Follow the edge of the coire on a faint path w down to a col. The path becomes more distinct as it heads over grassy ground up Creag a'Chaorainn. It skirts west of this top, then drops slightly on scree to Glas Bhealach, from where a sharp quick pull up 140m takes you to the summit of Sgurr nan Conbhairean. Due to this peak's height, the views are excellent and on a blowy day, there's a well constructed shelter to keep a couple of people out of the wind.
Sail Chaorainn
Sail Chaorainn lies 1.5km north-north-east from Sgurr nan Conbhairean and with only 70m of re-ascent on grassy ground, this Munro is reached in next-to-no-time. From Sgurr nan Conbhairean, drop north-west, following the line of the coire and gradually turn to head north-east. Head down over some loose stone to the bealach before Sail Chaorainn, then follow a well defined path over the grassy ground to the small summit cairn.
A'Chralaig
Return to the bealach, from where you have two choices. Either head back up Sgurr nan Conbhairean, then continue along a path to Drochaid an Tuill Easaich, turn north-west and head down to Bealach Choire a'Chait. Or, on a shorter, pathless route with less ascent, cut directly to Toll Easach by dropping 100m or so on wet loose grassy ground on the way, then climb slightly to reach Bealach Choire a'Chait. A path crosses the bealach and heads up north-west over wet grass and boulders. The path turns west-south-west and climbs for nearly 1km to reach the southern arm of A'Chralaig. Now on bouldery ground, the summit is just under 1km ahead, however it feels further. The views west improve as height is gained, and on your right there's a cornice that usually lasts well into May or later. The huge cairn on the summit is quite a surprise. You've got to stop here for a while and take in the vast panorama.
Mullach Fraoch-choire
Head off north on bouldery ground, with occasional zig-zagging on the narrow path. Drop down to c950m, then climb up the 50m to Stob Coire na Chralaig and its tiny cairn. Turn sharp right (east-east-north) and head down an increasingly narrowing ridge to a col (note this col, as it's the route out). The path starts to climb, you'll need to clambed over a couple of bits, then it sticks to the west side of the ridge. Further along it cuts over to the east side of the ridge, drops slightly, then climbs up and crosses back over to the west side of the ridge. A short steep pull on loose brown ground, brings you out of the difficulties and a path leads the way to the well-constructed cairn on Mullach Fraoch-choire's summit. In winter conditions, the ice on the eastern side of the ridge makes for difficult progress - use of ice-axe and crampons are required. As with A'Chralaig, the views from this peak are excellent, particularly over to Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan, A'Ghlas Bheinn and further to Skye and Torridon.
Return
Return to the col, then either head back up Stob Coire na Chralaig and over the other side, or more enjoyably, head down on a path into Coire Odhar. Either way, you'll have some grass and wet ground to descend to reach the Cluanie-Alltbeithe path, which itself is wet until the track is met, from where you can continue on auto-pilot, admiring the views left up Ciste Dhubh and ahead to Cluanie.
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Memorial to John Sandeman at the foot of Carn Gluasaid
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On Carn Gluasaid with Sgurr na Conbhairean beyond
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Summer on Mullach Fraoch-choire looking to A'Chralaig
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Winter on Mullach Fraoch-choire looking to A'Chralaig
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A'Chralaig from Glas Bhealach below Sgurr na Conbhairean
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The path returning down to Carn Gluasaid from Glas Bealach
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Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan from Mullach Fraoch-choire
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Ben Nevis above Carn Gluasaid from Sail Chaorainn
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Chaorainn and Conbhairean from Mullach Fraoch-choire
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Mullach Fraoch-choire's south ridge
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Sgurr na Conbhairean from A'Chralaig
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Looking over the Five Sisters to The Cuillin from Conbhairean
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Heading up Ceannacroc Forest
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Aonach Shasuinn from Sail Chaorainn
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Winter sunset over Sgurr nan Conbhairean from Sail Chaorainn
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On a summer's evening, this route makes for a pleasant easy stroll, or a quick run - your choice !
Although shorter than the main route, this route starts off with a huge long steep pull up 500m.
East of Cluanie, the hills can be accessed using a track from the old Ceannacroc Bridge.
Ghluasaid, Conbhairean and Sail Chaorainn
Distance : 16km, ascent : 1350m
On a summer's evening, this route makes for a pleasant easy stroll, or a quick run - your choice !
From the old section of road at Lundie, head up Carn Ghluasaid, Sgurr nan Conbhairean and Sail Chaorainn as described in the main route on the left. From Sail Chaorainn, return to Sgurr nan Conbhairean and head over Glas Bhealach and down to the drop before the rise up Carn Ghluasaid. At the col, look for a faint branch in the path and veere right to contour around Coire nan Clach and pick up the main path around c800m. Head back down to Lundie on the path.
A'Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire
Distance : 12km, ascent : 1250m
Although shorter than the main route, this route starts off with a long steep pull up 500m.
From the long lay-by at the western end of Loch Cluanie, walk back along the road for 500m, crossing the bridge over the Allt a'Chaorainn Mhoir to the a track heading north towards Alltbeithe YH. Head up, cross a burn, then, when the track starts to level off, leave it and strike ne directly up hill. Initially wet grass for quite a way, this thins and dries out further up. The southern arm of A'Chralaig is climbed, loose stone and grass most of the way, with a cornice of snow that usually lasts into May. The large, shapely cairn is reached. Follow the route to Mullach Fraoch-coire and back out as described on the left.
Aonach Shasuinn, Carn a'Choire Ghairbh and Sail Chaorainn
Distance : 32.5km, ascent : 1650m
East of Cluanie, the hills can be accessed using a track from the old Ceannacroc Bridge. This also allows two Corbetts and several Munro Tops to be added, giving a fine high-level walk with excellent views over Affric and Kintail.
Just off the A887, 2km east of the junction with the A87, Ceannacroc Bridge is hidden in forestry. Park by the bridge, then cycle past Ceannacroc Lodge for 7km following up the River Doe. Leave your bike by two bridges then after crossing both bridges, aim north over wet rush, then north-east up heathery slopes to onto flatter ground and onto Carn a'Choire Bhuidhe. Follow the crest north-north-west then north west to gain Aonach Shasuinn's summit and cairns.
Continue west and drop easily down to Bealach an Arnais. On grass contour around An Elric to reach the southern slopes of Carn a'Choire Ghairbh, then climb directly to the summit, picking up a line of fence-posts on the way. Fine views !
Follow the fences south-west, dropping down to the col below Carn a'Choire Ghuirm, then haul up grass and occasional boulderfield. In winter the sharp col between Carn na Coire Mheadhoin and Sail Chaorainn will require care. From Sail Chaorainn follow the crest of its eastern shoulder and pick a route towards An Reithe, then descend to the track below and return to your bike by the bridges and back to Ceannacroc Bridge.
Other alternatives
It is possible to come into these hills from Loch Affric or Alltbeithe, with the possiblilty of adding a Corbett or two.
From the road end in Glen Affric, head the track on the south side of the lochs until just before the Allt Garbh is reached. Follow a mucky path uphill to reach Na Cnapain, then the corbett Carn a'Choire Ghairbh. South-west to a bealach then to up the northern tops of Sail Chaorainn, then continue over Sgurr nan Conbhairean and Carn Ghluasaid. Either return to Sail Chaorainn then Glen Affric, perhaps picking up the corbett Aonach Shasuinn on the way, or alternatively continue along to A'Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire (as described on left), then drop down to Alltbeithe via Mullach Fraoch-choire's nw shoulder. The latter has some steep descent and 13km of decent track back to the car-park from the Youth Hostel.
North
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Mullardoch Circuit
12 Munros above beautiful Loch Affric and Loch Mullardoch. Can be done in one long day, or split into 3 or 4 outings
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North-East
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South Affric Corbetts
Coming soon
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South
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Beinn Loinne
Coming soon
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South-west
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The Saddle and South Glen Shiel
9 Munros in one long chain. Easily split into 3 or 4 outings or all done in one fairly long day
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West
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Kintail
The iconic Five Sisters of Kintail and their 7 other neighbouring Munros and 2 Corbetts all described in detail
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