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  Monar  

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Munros

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)

Corbetts

Sgurr nan Ceannaichean (913m)
Sgurr na Feartaig (862m)
Beinn Tharsuinn (863m)
Beinn Dronaig (797m)

Ascent

4075m (13,350ft)

Distance  

43km (27m)

Time

walking : 17:30hr*, running : 9:25hr
 *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent


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.

profile
location
start/finish Craig
(grid ref : NH092120)

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GPX data download GPX file of this route

terrain
easy A bit tricky on Lurg Mhor and Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich, otherwise paths and grass difficult
navigation
easy Off paths and in mist can be tricky testing
effort
stroll A long hard day long day
scenery
ok Expansive views stunning
 
meanings
Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich :
    'pinnacle of the coire of the farrow cattle'
Lurg Mhor :
    'big shank'
Sgurr Choinnich :
    'mossy peak'
Sgurr a'Chaorachain :
    'peak of the torrent'
Maoile Lunndaidh :
    'bare hill of the wet place'
Moruisg :
    'big water'
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean :
    'peak of the shopkeepers'
Sgurr na Feartaig :
    'peak of the thrift'
Beinn Tharsuinn :
    'transverse hill'
Beinn Dronaig :
    'hill of the knoll'
main route outlineprint 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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