A'Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire
Distance : 12km, ascent : 1250m
Although shorter than the main route described on the left, 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.
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.
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.
The three munros of
Carn Ghluasaid, Sgurr nan Conbhairean and
Sail Chaorainn can be done from Ceannacroc Bridge, on the A887, 2km east of the junction with the A87. This is a long route, and difficult to justify over the shorter route described above - hence I've not been in via this way. If you need details, try the Pocket Mountains book "West Highlands" (see links above) by Nick Williams.
