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Geal-charn (917m, Munro 279)
A'Mharconaich (975m, Munro 179)
Beinn Udlamain (1011m, Munro 119)
Sgairneach Mhor (991m, Munro 155)
A'Bhuidheanach Bheag (936m, Munro 240)
Carn na Caim (941m, Munro 232)
Meall Chuaich (951m, Munro 214)

2250m (7,400ft)
43km plus 8km cycle back (27m+5m)
running : 6:15hr, walking : 11hr

Balsporran Cottages (NN 627 792)
OS landranger 42
main route summary
Most people will tick these munros off in three groups, the four on the west of the A9, Carn na Caim and A'Bhuidheanach Bheag, and Meall Chuaich on its own (see Alternatives for more details). Taken together however, there is only 2250m of ascent to tackle. Terrain is fairly easy underfoot, with most of the route on paths and following fence-posts. The east side of the A9, south of Dalwhinnie is pretty desolate and can be a bit of a trudge. The peaks on the west side have bags more character and afford good views over Loch Ericht to the Ben Alder group and beyond. Meall Chuaich's blandness is forgiven as excellent views to the Caringorms, Monadh Liath and west as had from its summit.


main route outline

Getting there
These hills are best accessed from Balsporran Cottages, by the A9, 4km south of Dalwhinnie, where there is ample parking. A bike is best left at the route end for the cycle back.

Geal-charn
From Balsporran Cottages cross the railway line, then follow a track uphill. Cross a burn via stepping stones, then another using a wooden bridge. Just bit further on, the track splits into two, take right fork. The track unfortunately doesn't last and suddenly you'll be jumping around trying to avoid the wet marshy ground. Follow the wet and peat-boggy path uphill. Things do improve further up. On approaching c840m, the ground levels out and becomes more stone and gravel covered. There used to be a group of cairns looking down on the A9, but these are now mostly gone. Continue west-south-west and reach the top with its two cairns, the second being on the summit. Excellent views down Loch Ericht.

A'Mharconaich
Leave the cairn and head south-west over stone and boulders following a faint path downhill. Further down, the path becomes more obvious, turns south and at the bealach, joins up with a path coming directly up from Balsporran. Cross the bealach, then take a minor path that starts to climb off to left (south-east). This path gradually disappears into the undergrowth, but continue uphill over grass and occasional burn to A'Mharconaich's bare crest. Head north-east and meet two small cairns, the first of which is the summit, the second is a small shelter out of westerly winds.

Beinn Udlamain
About-turn and return along the crest, then continue following the wide path travelling south-west, which meets up with fence-posts. Follow these down to a small bealach, then uphill, mainly on grass to the summit of Beinn Udlamain. A huge untidy cairn made of boulders and old iron fence posts sits on the top. Beinn Udlamain is a broad hill, therefore you'll have to walk a short distance from the summit to get the best views.

Sgairneach Mhor
Continue following fence posts south, initially on grass, then stones and boulders. Going downhill, the boulders ease and heather is underfoot. Turn left (south-east) and pick up a faint path to cross the bealach. This path continues up to a small upright cairn on the north-western end of Sgairneach Mhor's western arm. Aim south-east over grassy ground, to join with main crest and continue north-east to the trig point sheltered by cairn on Sgairneach Mhor's summit.

A'Bhuidheanach Bheag
Follow rim of Sgairneach Mhor's coire east, then north-east down to around c800m. Turn north-east-north over heather and grass to jog downhill, picking up a developing path on way. Cross the Allt Coire Dhomhain and get onto a track heading back to the A9. At time of writing this track was being re-built and is a bit mucky. Cross the A9, through a gate, then head directly up steep ground over heather. The ascent easies and a line of fence-posts are picked up and followed to the trig point on A'Bhuidheanach Bheag's summit.

Carn na Caim
Leave the trig point and head north following the fence-posts for 500m. Where the fence-posts take a sharp turn east, continue north directly downhill to a wet flat area. Cross the burn here and pick up an excellent track. This track meets up with the line of fence-posts and continues for 4km over undulating ground to a sharp turn just before Carn na Caim's large cairn. The cairn cannot be seen from the turn in the fence-line, but the worn path on the ground indicates the way.

Meall Chuaich
Having left the large cairn of Carn na Caim behind, turn east and descend gradual slopes. The ground is pathless, but as it covered in a light layer of grass and heather, is easy to progress over. After around 2km, start heading north-east and drop a bit more into deeper heather at a bealach. A further 2km and the edge of Coire Chuaich is picked up and a very obvious path is met. Follow this path down to the base of Meall Chuaich, then slog up steep slopes sticking to a line of fence-posts to the large summit cairn. This summit give a fine view over the Monadh Liath and Rothiemurchus hills.

Return
Follow the fence-posts south-west for a bit, then head west over boulders to pick up a path. Use this path to get down to the bothy by Loch Cuaich, then follow the track back for 4km back to the A9, where hopefully a bike awaits for the brief cycle back to Balsporran Cottages.

Zoomable OS 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps are here
drumochter and dalwhinnie area weblinks
Get the local mountain weather forecast here
See todays conditions on the nearby Cairngorm webcam
Accommodation at the Balsporran Cottages
Food, accommodation and more at the Dalwhinnie Inn



alternatives
Split the route into three shorter ones.

West of A9, including the Sow of Atholl
The four munros on the west side can be bagged with a corbett, the Sow of Atholl, tagged onto the end of the route. Start from Balsporran Cottages and bag Geal-charn, A'Mharconaich, Beinn Udlamain and Sgairneach Mhor as described in the main route on the left. From Sgairneach Mhor start to head east downhill on the path, but instead of turning north-east down to the burn, keep on the path heading east. The path contours around a bump, then drops to the bealach below the Sow of Atholl. From the bealach head directly uphill over heather to the summit. Drop due north down to the Allt Coire Dhomhain, cross it and aim towards the A9. There is a cycle path to get you back to Balsporran.


A'Bhuidheanach Bheag and Carn na Caim
This route is by far the most popular way up A'Bhuidheanach Bheag and Carn na Caim. It starts on the east side of the A9, 1km south of the Dalwhinnie turnoff, where a track heads into a section of forest. There is limited parking available, with more in a lay-by on the other side of the road a few metres south.

Beyond the gate, go through the planted forest and head up the track. The track turns south and climbs for 1km, before heading east, then turning south-east for the last 200m ascent up to the plateau. As it approaches the old quarry, the path seems to disappear into gravel, at this point, contour off to the right on a faint path to for around 500m and pick up the track and line of fence-posts. Follow this track south for 1km to its end, then cross the wet ground and head south directly uphill. After climbing up grassy slopes for another 1km, you should meet up with the line of fence-posts to take you to the summit of A'Bhuidheanach Bheag with its lonely trig point.

Return north downhill to the track and follow the track and fence-posts for 4km over undulating ground to a sharp turn just before Carn na Caim's large cairn. The cairn cannot be seen from the turn in the fence-line, but the worn path on the ground indicates the way.

Return for 1km, then start to contour westwards. Over thick heather, start to descend back down towards the A9, pick up the end of the track and return to the road


Meall Chuaich on its own
4km north of the Dalwhinnie junction, on the east side of the A9, there is a gate and start of a track. Parking is restricted, however there are two lay-bys just south. Cross the gate and head up the track to meet an aqueduct. Follow this track for 4km, past a hydro works to a junction just before Loch Chuaich. Turn right, past a bothy and over a wooden bridge. The track takes an obvious turn right, come off the track and onto a worn path, heading uphill. This path heads up north-east over heather, then grass, then turns east-south-east over a flat area. Careful navigation is required here in mist as the terrain becomes more bouldery and the path virtually disappears. As progress is made, a line of fence-posts comes into view. Follow these fence-posts to the large summit cairn. Return the same route back.

drumochter