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Munros
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Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill (1062m, Munro 72)
Sgurr Fiona (1060m, Munro 73)
Ruadh Stac Mor (918m, Munro 276)
A'Mhaighdean (967m, Munro 187)
Beinn Tarsuinn (937m, Munro 238)
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair (1018m, M115)
Sgurr Ban (989m, Munro 157)
Beinn a'Chlaidheimh* (916m, Munro 280)
*due for Munro-demotion after re-measurement in 2011 !
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Corbetts
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Creag Rainich* (807m)
Beinn Dearg Bheag* (820m)
Beinn Dearg Mor* (910m)
Sail Mhor* (767m)
*see Alternative Routes below
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Ascent
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3840m (12,600ft)
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Distance
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43km (27m)
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Time
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walking : 20hr*, running : 10hr
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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Main route summary
These eight Munros lie in the heart of one of the most remote areas of Scotland, with A'Mhaighdean lying further from a main road than any other Munro in the country.
To bag the 6 Munros in Fisherfield (affectionately known as the "Big 6"), most people back-pack into Shenavall and tick the peaks off over two days, leaving An Teallach to be climbed another day.
It is however perfectly possible for fit hill-walkers to do all eight Munro peaks in one outing.
This will require the classic scramble over Corrage Bhuidhe to be omitted.
However this is compensated for, by finding a huge, hidden waterfall cascading into a dark chasm on the south side of An Teallach.
Good paths are present along most of the route and a fine track is followed out of the area at the end of the day.
It should be noted that where there are no paths, well-honed navigation skills are essential for progress in mist, particularly when heading off A'Mhaighdean and the route between Sgurr Ban and Beinn a'Chlaidheimh.
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| main route outline | print route |
Getting there
From Braemore Junction on the A835, 18km south of Ullapool, head along the A832 for 21km to Dundonnell. Just past a red phone box there is a layby behind gorse-bush and by the Mountain Rescue building. It is advisable to leave a bike at Corrie Hallie for the 4km back along the A832 at the end of the day.
Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill
Leave the lay-by, cross the road, then fence and go up the right-hand side of a couple of wooden cabins on a well-worn path. The path climbs around the back of the cottages, then turns south. Follow the path over heather and wet grass to meet the burn coming down from Glas Mheall Mor. The path crosses this burn and continues uphill on its south-bank. At 850m, a small cairn is met just east of the bump of Sron a'Choire, from here turn south-east, climb a bit then contour over bouldery ground to the bealach below Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill. A steep ascent over loose standstone and occasional grass is required to reach the narrow summit with its OS trig point. A fantastic view-point !
Sgurr Fiona
From the trig point, a very obvious worn path travels south-west over loose ground down to the beleach between Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill and Sgurr Fiona. A steep ascent with occasional easy scrambling is required to reach the cairn on Sgurr Fiona's summit.
Loch na Sealga
Leave Sgurr Fiona's summit and head north-west on a less well defined path. One or two boulders will need jumped off ! Reach the bealach between Sgurr Fiona and Sgurr Creag an Eich, then aim straight for Loch na Sealga directly below. Since this is a very infrequented coire, from the bealach, progress is made down steep pathless ground which can be very loose ! Further down the loose scree gives way to heather and wet grass. A burn is picked up and followed. This burn forms into a spectacular waterfall, but beware how close you get to the edge as the trees and heather overhang a dramatic drop. Pick up a deer-fence to follow down to the loch.
Ruadh Stac Mor
Follow the shore to the mouth of the loch, then continue along the bank of the Abhainn Srath na Sealga for 500m. You'll have to accept getting wet feet - I prefer to wade bare-feet across the river. Pick up a track, with sections of slatted wood, to the house and chalet at Larachantivore. A good path continues for 1.5km south down Gleann na Muice to an obvious junction. At this, turn right (west) and head up Gleann na Muice Beag with a waterfall at its western end. Just above Loch Beag Dearg at c340m, the path turns sharply and aims south. Follow the path for a further 600m until well above the waterfall, then leave the path, cross the burn and head south over grass and heather. Aim for the lochans north-east of Ruadh Stac Mor, cross the streams that connect them, then climb up grass and bouldery ground to reach the northern arm of Ruadh Stac Mor. Having taken the all the effort to reach this summit, it comes as quite a suprise that this peak is only a few feet above 3000ft.
A'Mhaighdean
Head south-west from Ruadh Stac Mor's summit over bouldery ground. Look for some cairns and pick up a faint path to the edge of some steep ground. The path turns left, scramble down the loose sandstone to the bealach at 750m and pick up an obvious path coming the north-west. This path crosses the bealach, becoming fainter, then obvious again, then starts to climb up the steep grassy ground to the flat summit, just north of A'Mhaighdean. Reach this, then head south-south-west over fine gravel for 350m to the summit. This is a superb remote location to stop and take time to enjoy the views all around.
Beinn Tarsuinn
In mist, good navigation is required to head off A'Mhaghdean as the ground is fairly featureless. Otherwise, all that is required is a quick run south-east, down gentle grassy slopes then wet ground to the heathery bealach at the head of Gleann na Muice. A faint path is then followed to cross the bealach and start ascending steeper ground up Beinn Tarsuinn. A path to the right of the direct route up, marked by a cairn, leads up to a another path on the south of the crest that by-passes the scrambling on the occasionally narrow ridge. The summit lies at its eastern end, perched above a craggy drop to the north.
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair
After the narrow western side of this munro, the eastern side with its wide grassy slope comes as a bit of a surprise. Head east-south-east from the summit to Bealach Odhar below Meall Garbh. A path contours around the northern side of Meall Garbh to the bealach before Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair. On the obvious path, climb up grass to reach a boulder-field. The path then zig-zags up through the boulders to level off and reach the summit. I love the way the name of this mountain rolls of the tongue !
Sgurr Ban
From Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair's summit, head north, taking care on the loose ground and drop to the bealach below. Sgurr Ban's bouldery southern arm lies ahead, however if you keep slightly to the west of the crest, the ground is easier to climb up. Further up the ground levels out, though the cairn cannot be seen ahead due to the gradual rise on the summit plateau. Upon arrival however, there is no mistaking the summit with its huge bouldery cairn.
Beinn a'Chlaidheimh
To keep the maximum amount of soft ground under foot, head north from the cairn on Sgurr Ban for 500m to drop down grass covered ground to c850m. Turn east-north-east and follow a fault line down to the boulderfield. You'll miss the shelter igloo this way, but you'll not need to constantly look at how to place your feet between the rocks ! At the bealach, pick up a path to follow up heathery ground to a minor top south of Beinn a'Chlaidheimh. Cross this top, then climb up a steep path zig-zagging though scree to reach a narrow grassy crest. Continue to the small cairn on Beinn a'Chlaidheimh's summit. Fine views are to be had, particularly towards An Teallach.
Return
Retrace your steps south for 100m, then turn east and run down steep grassy ground. As the desent easies, the ground becomes more heather covered and wetter. Reach the Abhainn Loch an Nid, cross it (difficult in spate) and follow a good path north. After around 2km, the path reaches some wet ground then a track. Follow this excellent track which climbs 250m over the next 3km, then drops and travels back to Corrie Hallie, with only one minor river crossing 2km before the end.
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On Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill
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The main ridge from Sgurr Fiona
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The huge waterfall coming down Coir a'Ghamhna
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Beinn Dearg Mor from Shenevall
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Beinn a'Chlaidheimh, Sgurr Ban and Beinn Tarsuinn from Strath na Sealga
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Camping near Ruadh Stac Mor's summit
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From Ruadh Stac Mor to Beinn Tarsuinn
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On A'Mhaighdean looking to Ruadh Stac Mor, Beinn a'Chlaidheimh and An Teallach
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On the summit of A'Mhaighdean looking north-west
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An Teallach from Beinn Tarsuinn
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Slioch and Beinn Tarsuinn from Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair
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Sgurr Ban's shelter with Beinn a'Chlaidheimh beyond
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Beinn a'Chlaidheimh from Beinn Dearg Mor's slopes
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Sgurr Ban and Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair from A'Mhaighdean's eastern slopes
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Ruadh Stac Mor and A'Mhaighdean from Beinn Dearg's bealach
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Sail Mhor and An Teallach Ascent : 1775m, distance : 18km
A rough Corbett overlooking Little Loch Broom and connected to An Teallach via wide plateaux.
Top bagging on An Teallach
Ascent : 1775m, distance : 18km
This route takes in the classic traverse of the main An Teallach ridge. This requires a good head for heights, scrambling skills and care, particularly on Corrag Bhuidhe, where several fatalities have occured over the years. There is a by-pass path on the south side of the ridge that avoids the difficulties.
From Dundonnell, climb up Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill and over to Sgurr Fiona as described in the main route. From Sgurr Fiona head south to the next bealach, ahead lies the first top, Lord Berkeley's Seat. This requires some moderate scrambling if sticking to the crest. Crawl to the edge of the top of Lord Berkeley's Seat to get a scary view to the dark coire below. Corrag Bhuidhe gives some more fine, exposed scrambling, but at the end of this, the Corrag Bhuidhe Butress awaits. This presents quite a drop, and I find it best to retrace my steps for a few paces and then pick up a path that climbs down to the by-pass path below. The continuation to Stob Cadha Gobhlach and Sail Liath present no such problems. There are various options to get off the ridge, of which, I prefer to return to the bealach between Stob Cadha Gobhlach and Sail Liath and then head directly down to Loch Toll an Lochain via a loose and steep path. The loch is an excellent place to stop and look back at the ridge above. From the loch, head east-north-east for 2km, then follow a burn to pick up a path to take you to forest and back to the road near Dundonnell House.
The other minor tops of Glas Mheall Mor, Glas Mheall Liath and Sgurr Creag an Eich each require separate detours from the main ridge. However, unlike the main ridge, there are no real difficulties getting to any of these peaks.
The Fisherfield centre peaks with Creag Rainneach
Ascent : 3050m, distance : 41km (from Corrie Hallie)
This route starts from 1km south-east of the house at Achnegie (now used only as a farm store). To get to Achnegie, park in the lay-by by Corrie Hallie, then start uphill on the track that starts by the snow-gate. This track climbs through forest to open ground to the east of An Teallach and reaches a cairn at a height of 380m. Keep on the track, past the next cairn (which marks the start of the path to Shenavall) and continue for a further 3km to drop towards the glen floor. One last burn is crossed before the track turns and descends steeply, after crossing this burn, leave the track and climb up through heather to reach Am Fireach. Aim south for 1km, then south-west for 1.5km climbing up onto the northern arm of Creag Rainich. The summit is 1.5km further.
Retrace your steps west for 500m, then turn south and follow the line of the hill down to the glen floor. Follow the river up to Bealach na Croise, then up more wet ground to Bealach Odhar and climb up to Beinn Tarsuinn's summit. Return to Bealach Odhar and continue over Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair and Sgurr Ban to Beinn a'Chlaidheimh as described in the main route. Head back to the Abhainn Loch an Nid and return to Corrie Hallie back along the track.
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair has a couple of tops to the east of the main summit. An easy walk is all that is required to reach the East Top, however a bit of easy scrambling is required to attain the second top, Sgurr Dubh.
Ruadh Stac Mor and A'Mhaighdean with Beinn Dearg
Ascent : 2550m, distance : 41km (from Corrie Hallie)
This route starts from Shenavall bothy which, like the route above is reached from Corrie Hallie. Start from the snow-gate and follow the track up to the cairn at 380m. Just beyond this another cairn marks the junction for the Shenavall path. Follow this occasionally wet and boggy path around the base of Sail Liath to Shenavall - a very popular bothy in summer.
Cross the Abhainn Srath na Sealga (difficult in spate) and reach Larachantivore. Continue as in the main route down Gleann na Muice, then up Gleann na Muice Beag to where the path turns sharply at c340m. Leave the path and head over wet pathless ground towards Loch Beinn Dearg. Follow the eastern side of this loch, then gradually gaining height, continue over heathery ground to the bealach above Loch Toll an Lochain. Climb the faint path up 200m to Beinn Dearg Beag's summit. Return to the bealach, and continue up Beinn Dearg Mor. Pathless up to c700, the ground changes and becomes loose. A path zig-zags up the scree and sand to the grassy plateau, from where there is a short walk to the large cairn perched on the summit. The large split in the rock looking down to Coire nan Clach is impressive.
Return towards the bealach, and when the bottom of the path is reached, turn towards Loch Beinn Dearg and gradually loose height over heathery and bouldery ground. Reach the main path going up Gleann na Muice Beag and continue over Ruadh Stac Mor to A'Mhaighdean as described in the main route. Leave A'Mhaighdean and turn east dropping to wet ground below. Follow the Abhainn Gleann na Muice back to Shenavall and return to Corrie Hallie.
Sail Mhor and An Teallach
Ascent : 1775m, distance : 18km
A rough Corbett overlooking Little Loch Broom and connected to An Teallach via wide plateaux.
Park your car by the Rescue Building as in the main route and on foot or by bike, head west along the road for 4km to the houses at Ardessie. On the eastern side of the Allt Airdeasaidh a path heads south-west uphill, follow this to around c300m and cross the burn heading down from your left. Once over this, immediately cross the Allt Airdeasaidh (which could be difficult in spate) and head due west aiming for a gap in the crags of Sail Mhor. Straight up onto a minor top at 700m, then onto Sail Mhor's summit with its cairn and fantastic views. Return by the same route.
Alternatively head to An Teallach. Aim south from Sail Mhor's summit, follow the crest of the hill to drop to a bealach at 525m, then rise up to Ruigh Mheallain. Drop south, from where its a pleasant, pathless slog up to the north-western spur of An Teallach around Coire Mor an Teallaich. Pick up the main route (as described on the left) to bag the munros, then return down to Dundonnell.
North
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Quinag
A stunning mountain from any angle. 3 of the peaks are distinctive enough to be corbetts
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East
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Inverlael
Varied peaks in the vast area east of Ullapool. You'll need good navigation skills in poor visibility
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South-east
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Fannaichs and Fionn Bheinn
A long chain of 9 munros. Once up on the ridge, the going is easy over grass and paths
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South
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Slioch
Majestic and appearing quite impenetrable, Slioch is actually easily accessed from Loch Maree
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South-west
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Flowerdale Corbetts
A long route in made easy by a fine cycleable track. Two superb Corbett hills with unique views of the surrounding Torridon giants.
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