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peaks
ascent distance time start finish maps |
Beinn Liath Mhor (926m, Munro 258)
Sgor Ruadh (962m, Munro 195) Maol Chean-dearg (933m, Munro 247) Fuar Tholl (907m, Corbett) An Ruadh-stac (892m, Corbett) 2150m (7050ft) 21km, plus 7km return (13m, plus 4m) running : 5hr, walking : 8hr Achnashellach (NH005440) Coulags (NG958451) OS landranger 25 |
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main route summary Overall, this is an easy route mainly on fine paths. Maol Chean-dearg and Beinn Liath Mhor are bouldery summits, Sgorr Ruadh is a narrow ridge reaching a grassy top. Superb views are to be had from the summits and ridges over to Torridon, Applecross and Skye. The two nearby corbetts are also worth visiting and scrambling on rock is required on both to attain the summits. Fuar Tholl is a fine landmark from Loch Carron. A bike or some other transport arrangement is required for the return from Coulags to Achnashellach. |
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main route outline Getting there This route is one of the few that can be accessed directly from a train-halt - Achnashellach is on the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line. If coming by car, there is a red phone-box on the A890, 14km north-east of Lochcarron. Parking is available for several vehicles. Beinn Liath Mhor Start from car-park by phonebox at Achnashellach and head up the track to Achnashellach halt. Cross the railway line, go through a gate and continue 50m up a track. The track comes to a junction, turn left, don't aim towards the Coulin Pass. Through gate in deer-fence, further on, look for a sign and stone marker, which point left onto path and through circular gate in the deer-fence. Follow the path up. Out of forest there is a large sign (now torn), by which there is a waterfall - careful it's a bit wet underfoot to view it ! 1 km on, the path comes to a junction - stay straight on. A few metres further on, another junction is reached, marked by a cairn - again stay straight (turning right will take you up the south side of Beinn Liath Mhor which is through deep heather and requires more ascent along the undulating ridge). Continue following path up for 3km, past Loch Coire-Lair the lochan at the bealach between Beinn Liath Mhor and Sgor Ruadh. On a faint path, turn north-north-east over grass and slabby ground, over a minor summit (marked 769 on the OS map) to drop to another lochan at c710m. Pick up path that heads up over boulders then steep ground, then turns north-east as the ascent flattens out. Flat rock, then boulders lead to Beinn Liath Mhor's summit. Sgorr Ruadh Return to lochan on the bealach between Beinn Liath Mhor and Sgor Ruadh. Cross the Coire Lair path, then, on a faint path, head west-south-west up grass then boulders to the north-west ridge of Sgorr Ruadh. Pick up an obvious path to follow for ˝km to Sgorr Ruadh's summit - the drop into Coire Lair becomes a bit exposed near the summit, but the ridge flattens out onto grass when approaching the cairn. Maol Chean-dearg Retrace steps back down 50m to grassy section, then aim south-west directly downhill steep scree and heather - tough going for just over 1km. Reach Loch Coire Fionnaraich and cross the burn at the loch's outflow. Continue south-west uphill, over wet slippy grassy ground for 1km and pick up the path heading to Bealach a'Choire Ghairbh. Upon reaching the bealach, turn north and follow a rough path that twists and turns up steep ground through boulders and scree. Cross a rocky minor top, then some grass clad ground to reach the last climb up Maol Chean-dearg, which is very bouldery. There is a large cairn on summit and stunning views onto Liathach. Return Return to Bealach a'Choire Ghairbh and down the path into Coire Fhoinnaraich. Follow a good path to Coulags, stopping at the bothy on the way. Cycle back along road to Achnashellach. |
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Zoomable OS 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps are here
achnashellach and monar area weblinks
routes nearby
alternatives Reach An Ruadh-stac from Maol Chean-dearg (see purple route in map above) From Bealach a'Choire Ghairbh, go south-west and head around the south side of the lochans. Aim directly up An Ruadh-stac via the bouldery and rocky-terraced east ridge. Some easy scrambling is enjoyed on the way to attain the summit. Return to bealach. Additional ascent : 400m, additional distance : 3km Adding in Fuar Tholl (see green route in map above) It is perfectly possible to head north-west from Sgorr Ruadh and pick up the right-of-way to Bealach na Lice, however this will take you to thick heather for the slog up Maol Chean-dearg. Far batter is to aim directly for Bealach a'Choire Ghairbh. Firstly aim east for 500m, and pick up a faint path to drop south to Bealach Mhor. There is a faint path, ground can be slippy. From the bealach, continue south-east-south to reach first bump. Some slight scrambling to next bump. Drop to the next gap and up to the summit of Fuar Tholl. To get down, it's best to return to Bealach Mhor and head down on the path into Coire Lair. However, it is possible to get down south-east over Sgurr a'Mhuilinn to the railway line, but careful route picking will be required to avoid the sections of slabby rock. Additional ascent 325m, additional distance : 4km |
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coulin forest
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