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Munros
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Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich (945m, M224)
Lurg Mhor (986m, Munro 163)
Sgurr Choinnich (999m, Munro 139)
Sgurr a'Chaorachain (1053m, Munro 78)
Maoile Lunndaidh (1007m, Munro 125)
Moruisg (928m, Munro 255)
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Corbetts
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Sgurr nan Ceannaichean (913m)
Sgurr na Feartaig (862m)
Beinn Tharsuinn (863m)
Beinn Dronaig (797m)
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Ascent
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4075m (13,350ft)
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Distance
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43km (27m)
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Time
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walking : 17:30hr*, running : 9:25hr
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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Main route summary
A long route over varied terrain, but easily accessed via a good track heading in from Craig.
A bike is recommended for the journey to Pollan Buidhe - the thigh-busting cycle uphill is more than offset by the freewheel downhill at the end of the day.
Moruisg and Maoile Lunndaidh have vast plateaus, untypical for western peaks, whereas the peaks of Sgurr Choinnich, Bidean an Eoin Deirg and Sgurr a'Chaorachain have long fine ridges.
Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich is craggy on its northern side and Lurg Mhor has an interesting notched gap leading to its eastern top.
Views from most of the peaks are good, with fine vistas northwards to the Coulin Forest and Torridon peaks.
The route can easily be split into smaller chunks coming in from different starting points.
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| main route outline | print route |
Getting there
The route starts from Craig, which is a group of 4 or 5 houses on the A890, halfway between Achnasheen and the village of Lochcarron. There is a car-park hidden in some foresty on the opposite side of the railway-crossing.
Beinn Tharsuinn and Sgurr na Feartaig
From Craig, cross the railway line and cycle down the track to the bridge over the River Carron. Just after crossing this bridge, the track splits - take the left fork and cycle uphill. It's a fair thigh-busting slog up this for 2km, through a gate to more level ground. Continue around the base of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean for another 2km, to where the track takes a sharp left turn and there is a small cairn on the right to mark the start of a footpath. Leave bikes here and use this footpath to cross some wet ground to a wire bridge over the Allt a'Chonais. Cross the bridge (which requires care, but is fun), then continue up the stalker's path to Bealach Bhearnais. The path disappears at the bealach, where three hillsides converge. A short, sharp detour, north-west up tussocky ground will get the corbett, Sgurr na Feartaig bagged. To continue onto the munros, Beinn Tharsuinn blocks the way. A faint path heads from Bealach Bhearnais directly up the steep, grassy north-east shoulder of this hill. It levels out onto ground with short grass, making for pleasant progress. Follow the crest of the corbett to its summit. Fine views towards Skye and Torridon from the small cairn balanced on the rocky top.
Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich
Head south-west from the cairn, dropping to a small lochan. Keep the north side of this lochan, then continue in a westerly direction, with a little scramble on the way, to a flat crest. As the ground starts to rise, turn south-west and loose height. Drop to a wall, follow this to the bealach below Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich, cross onto the west side of the wall and start climbing uphill. The ground starts to get steep, but there is a faint path over the loose ground to follow. The path aims straight up, then veers slightly to the right, then left to a grassy terrace below some crags. An obvious grassy gully heads up this to a small carin, from where progress becomes much easier. Continue in a generally southwards direction, past two lochans. Past these, the ridge narrows and the path aims directly to the small cairn on Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich's summit.
Lurg Mhor
From Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich's summit, follow the path south-west along the narrow crest. As the crest widens, the path turns south-east towards the bealach below Lurg Mhor. Grass covered ground makes a pleasant change from the ascent up Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich. From the bealach a path aims south-east up some steep wet ground, then a flat area is reached, from where it's an easy trudge up to the small cairn on Lurg Mhor's summit. To the east of Lurg Mhor, there is a narrow ridge leading to a subsiduary top. This ridge has a few slabby moves, and can be difficult in icy conditions, however in summer, the detour is worth the bit of fun scrambling along the crest.
Sgurr Choinnich
If you've decided to not continue to Lurg Mhor's eastern top, then return to the bealach between Lurg Mhor and Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich, then, on grassy ground, follow the burn north-east down to the foot of Sgurr na Conbhaire. If you've headed over to the eastern top, then it is possible to head directly north down steep, wet, grassy ground down to the foot of Sgurr na Conbhaire. There is a small, old, mucky hut nearby to shelter out of the rain for lunch. The trudge up Sgurr na Conbhaire is straightforward, but relentless. Upon reaching the top of this, a faint path is picked up to follow for most of the way up to the connecting ridge between Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a'Chaorachain. Upon reaching this crest, turn and head north-west for 250m to the summit of Sgurr Choinnich. Fine views back over the peaks to the south.
Sgurr a'Chaorachain
Return south-east along the crest to a small cairn that marks the head of the descent east-north-east to the col between Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a'Chaorachain. The descent is mainly on loose ground, but an obvious, worn path is followed. The climb up Sgurr a'Chaorachain is on more grassy slopes with some clambering on occasional rocky sections, but again there is an obvious path to follow. The old trig point is encircled by a bouldery line of stones to shelter behind. Excellent views in all directions.
Maoile Lunndaidh
Head north from Sgurr a'Chaorachain on pathless ground for 400m, dropping around 100m of height. Start to turn north-east and the ground underfoot becomes more grass covered and wet as more height is lost. Turning east, drop to the An Crom-allt, cross it and start climbing up the heathery slopes of Drochaid Mhuilich on a faint path. The heather gives way to stoney ground, which in turn gives way to grass covered ground on the approach to Carn nam Fiaclan. This flat, high plateau appears out of place in the Western Highlands ! Enjoy a pleasant walk over Carn nam Fiaclan and Creag Toll a'Chroin and reach the cairn on the stoney summit of Maoile Lunndaidh.
Moruisg
From Maoile Lunndaidh's summit, head north-west for around 500m, then north to drop down onto the western arm of Creag Dhubh Mhor. Follow the line of this shoulder westwards down to the River Meig, crossing a burn on the way. You should be able to cross the river without getting wet feet ! Pick up the stalker's path to the east of Glenuaig Lodge and follow it directly uphill. The path disappears at around 750m, from where a faint path will take you north-west to cross a burn. From this burn head north-west over wet tussocky ground to the summit cairn of Moruisg.
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean
Head south-west from Moruisg's summit and pick up a path which sticks to the top of the crags that fall into Coire Toll nam Bian. The path drops down to the grassy bealach, then climbs up Sgurr nan Ceannaichean with its two cairns, the southerly one marks the summit.
Return
Proceed south-west from Sgurr nan Ceannaichean's southerly cairn and after dropping around 200m, you'll meet a stalker's track. Follow this as it twists and turns down to Pollan Buidhe, from where a track is followed for around 750m back to where you've left your bike. The downhill free-wheel back is brilliant !
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Mountain Marathon taking place near Pollan Buidhe
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Beinn Tharsuinn from Sgurr Choinnich
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Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich from Beinn Tharsuinn
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Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich from Sgurr Choinnich
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Lurg Mhor from Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich
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Lurg Mhor's eastern top and the narrow ridge
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Approaching Lurgh Mhor's narrow ridge
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Sgurr Choinnich from Sgurr na Conbhaire
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South from Sgurr Choinnich
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Sgurr Choinnich from Sgurr a'Chaorachain
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Choinnich, Chaorachain and Eoin Deirg from Sgurr na Lapaich
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Bidean an Eoin Deirg from Sgurr Choinnich
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Carn nam Fiaclan and Maoile Lunndaidh from the west
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Looking to Torridon from Maoile Lunndaidh
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Sgurr nan Ceannaichean and Maoile Lunndaidh from Liathach
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Sgurr nan Ceannaichean and Moruisg from Sgurr Choinnich
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Camping on the way in from Attadale
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Looking from Lurg Mhor over Loch Calavie to An Rhiabhachan
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The main route can be split into 3 easier outings :
To tackle the two northern peaks, the easiest way is to come in directly from the north over wet ground.
The 3 middle peaks can be done in an outing, adding in the elegantly shaped Bidean an Eoin Deirg
Moruisg and Sgurr nan Ceannaichean from the A890
Ascent : 1025m, distance : 12km
To tackle the two northern peaks, the easiest way is to come in directly from the north over wet ground.
On the A890 5km north-east of Craig, there is a lay-by with room for around 4 cars. Through a gate and down a track leads to a bridge over the River Carron. There are often cattle here. Just after this a path heads under the railway and onto open hillside, from where it's a slog south-east up wet, grassy and tussocky ground to Moruisg. From Moruisg, follow the main route to Sgurr nan Ceannaichean's summit cairns. To return, head west from Sgurr nan Ceannaichean's summit for around 750m, then north-west. The descent starts to steepen and the ground becomes loose and heather clad. Once the bealach above Coire an t-Seilich is reached, aim northwards, pick up the burn and follow is back to the bridge.
Choinnich, Chaorachain and Lunndaidh from Craig
Ascent : 1950m, distance : 31km
The 3 middle peaks can be done in an outing, adding in the elegantly shaped Bidean an Eoin Deirg - not a munro, but a mere top !
Follow the main route from Craig up to Bealach Bhearnais. Upon approaching the bealach, and as the path becomes fainter, strike south to reach the western shoulder of Sgurr Choinnich. On a faint path, follow the line of this shoulder up to the summit cairn. As in the main route, Sgurr a'Chaorachain is reached, but then for variation, you could continue along the wide ridge to the fine peak of Bidean an Eoin Deirg. From this peak, return for around 300m, then drop down a wet grassy and steep gully down to Drochaid Mhuilich. Follow the details in the main route up to Maoile Lunndaidh and down to the River Meig. Pick up the excellent track at Glenuaig Lodge and return to Pollan Buidhe and back to Craig.
Sheasgaidh, Lurg Mhor and Beinn Dronaig from Attadale
Ascent (incl corbett) : 2135m, distance 38km (incl 24km on bike)
Lurg Mhor and Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaidh can be reached by a long bike-hike from the west near the head of Loch Carron. This also avoids the craggy climb up the north side of Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaidh. A bike with suspension is needed !
Start at Attadale, which lies on the eastern side of Loch Carron, 5km south of where the A890 meets the A896. Just down from the railway halt, there is parking available at the entrance to the gardens. Follow the signs and bike down the road for 1.5km. The road becomes a track, crosses the River Attadale, then becomes rougher as it starts to climb. Continue to Bendronaig Lodge, then take the rough track off right down to a wire-bridge and cross the burn. Now on the north side of the burn, cycle up the track to the highest point and leave your bike. Aim northwards up grassy ground, around the east side of Creag Dubh, directly for Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaidh. Bag Lurg Mhor as detailed on the left, then head west back to your bike. Return by the same route - the cycle is even harder downhill.
It would be perfectly possible to add in the corbett Beinn Dronaig to this route, in which case, bag the two munros, then descend directly to the eastern end of Loch Calavie. A path heads up the eastern shoulder of Beinn Dronaig from Loch Calavie.
North
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Fionn Bheinn and the Fannaichs
Fionn Bheinn is a pleasant short grassy walk with fine views. The remaining Fannaichs consist of a long chain of 9 Munros.
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South-East
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Strathfarrar
A drive of 12km along a private road with lots of wildlife brings you to 4 munros all accessed by good tracks
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South
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Mullardoch and Affric
12 Munros above beautiful Loch Affric and Loch Mullardoch. Can be done in one long day, or more easily split into 3 or 4 outings
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West
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Coulin Forest Munros and Corbetts
Varied terrain and bouldery peaks with excellent views to Torridon and Skye. Accessed by fine paths.
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