Eastern Glen Affric Munros

View from the car-park at the end of Glen Affric

West of Inverness, the A831 runs from Beauly through Strathglass and Glen Urquhart to Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness. At the southern end of Strathglass lies the village of Cannich.

From Cannich, follow Main Street south-west along Strathglass. After 3 km, just beyond Fasnakyle Power Station, the road splits - keep right, following signs for Glen Affric. The road narrows after this junction, and 3km further along, you'll find Dog Falls, a scenic spot worth a visit.

Around 17km from Cannich, the road reaches Chisholme Bridge. Just before the bridge, park in the large, marked Forestry car park.

Looking up Gleann nam Fiadh from the estate track

From the car park, take the signposted path aiming westwards through forestry. After around 1km, this path meets an estate track and this is followed northwards.

Beinn a' Mheadhoin detour
Upon reaching a gate in a deer fence, a worthwhile detour leads to Beinn a' Mheadhoin, a Fiona/Graham summit lying approximately 1.5km to the northeast of the main track. The ascent, though untracked, involves less than 300m of elevation gain over relatively straightforward terrain - mostly grass and bog myrtle. Allow around an hour for the out-and-back. The modest effort is well rewarded with sweeping views from Beinn a' Mheadhoin's summit , particularly of the higher peaks that encircle Gleann nam Fiadh.

Through the gate in the deer-fence, and after around a further 1km, the track comes to a junction beneath the crags of Beinn Eun. Here, there is a choice of routes:

Direct Route
For a shorter, steeper ascent of Toll Creagach, continue along either track for about 300m to reach a point beyond the steepest ground above. Leave the track and pick your way up steep, heather-clad slopes. Once past the steep ground, the terrain levels out, and Beinn Eun's flat summit is crossed. Heading northwest, the base of Toll Creagach's southern shoulder is met from where a fairly gentle climb, traversing increasingly stony ground and crossing solifluction erosion lobes leads to Toll Creagach's summit .

Gentle Route
For a longer but more gradual ascent, from the junction, follow the track to its end at a small dam. From there, a rough path continues for 1km to meet with a stalker's path . This path follows the Allt Toll Easa upstream to Bealach Toll Easa . From Bealach Toll Easa, turn eastwards and follow a path and a line of fence posts as they climb uphill. The path branches a few times, crossing a stony crest leading to Toll Creagach's western top , from where a pleasant 1km stroll over mainly grassy terrain leads to the summit of Toll Creagach .

On Beinn nan Eun's slopes

On Beinn nan Eun's slopes

On Toll Creagach's broad shoulder, Tom a' Choinich ahead

From Toll Creagach's summit, a mix of grassy and stony ground descends gently to a broad plateau. Enjoy an easy 1km stretch over grassy terrain before reaching the 'Munro Top' on Toll Creagach's western crest, marked with a small cairn .

From this top, follow the stony crest downhill, keeping an eye on the faint path and fence posts that guide the way. The descent narrows and leads to the narrow col of Bealach Toll Easa (there is a stalker's path leading back down from here should an escape route be needed).

The crags of Tom a' Choinich’s eastern face dominate the view ahead, split by a prominent shoulder rising directly from Bealach Toll Easa to the summit. A path winds up this spur, requiring some light scrambling over rocks higher up. In snow-free conditions, a faint stalkers' path can be seen zig-zagging to the side, providing a gentler alternative for part of the ascent.

Nearing Bealach Toll Easa below Tom a' Choinich

Nearing Bealach Toll Easa below Tom a' Choinich

Heading down Tom a' Choinich towards An Leth-chreag

Leaving the stone covered dome summit of Tom a' Choinich behind, head westwards and follow a very obvious path, aside which is a sparodic line of old fence posts, across pleasant, grassy terrain while descending towards the bump of Tom a' Choinich Beag. Beyond this, the slope gradually steepens, and the terrain becomes more rugged above the east-facing cliffs of An Leth-chreag , a 'Munro Top', is reached.

From An Leth-chreag, continue south-west crossing very stoney ground while following the crest of the mountains and descend to Garbh Bealach. Sròn Garbh stands imposing ahead with a ridge heading directly to its summit comprised of quartzite blocks and scree. The climb up this is steep, but a path with some worn sections of man-made steps is easily followed.

Once up Sròn Garbh, continue over a wide plateau that gradually narrows to a fine ridge that turns around Choire Dhomhain crossing another 'Munro Top', Stob Coire Dhomnhuill .

Reaching some intricate and fractured rocks, the path then weaves back and forth across the ridge to find the easiest line. The ridge broadens to a grass-covered dip, from where a short hike leads to the long crest of Stob Coire Dhomhain , another 'Munro Top.'

Hiking along Càrn Eighe's eastern shoulder, Màm Sodhail on left

Hiking along Càrn Eighe's eastern shoulder, Màm Sodhail on left

Looking down from Càrn Eighe towards Beinn Fhionnlaidh

After the twists, turns, and rocky terrain leading to Càrn Eighe, the route to Beinn Fhionnlaidh feels refreshingly straightforward.

From Càrn Eighe's summit, follow the rim of Coire Lochan as it curves northwest. The path descends through stony and bouldery ground, dropping 300m in total. About halfway down, a grassy shelf provides a welcome reprieve before the descent continues to a grass-covered col beneath the 'Munro Top' of Stob Coire Lochan . Although it's only a 40m climb to this minor peak, the path bypasses it entirely.

Around Stob Coire Lochan, the trail carves a delightful line through lush grass, leading gently to Bealach Beag , the col below Beinn Fhionnlaidh.

Beinn Fhionnlaidh from Stob Coire Lochan

Beinn Fhionnlaidh from Stob Coire Lochan

Returning down Beinn Fhionnlaidh with Càrn Eighe and Màm Sodhail ahead

Turn around and retrace your steps along Beinn Fhionnlaidh's southern shoulder, descending back to Bealach Beag . From the bealach, follow the path as it begins to bypass the 'Munro Top' of Stob Coire Lochan .

The path splits - take the lower path, which traverses the slopes under the western face of Càrn Eighe. This route follows a grassy bank, weaving its way between vast boulder fields. Eventually, the path reaches the head of a small burn - an ideal spot to refill water bottles.

Beyond this point, the path fades into the grass, and it's tìme to head uphill - aim for the col between Càrn Eighe and Màm Sodhail, crossing a short section of boulder field before the col is reached.

At the col, you'll meet a well-defined path linking Càrn Eighe and Màm Sodhail. Turn south and follow this path as it twists and turns up steep, loose ground, eventually leading to Màm Sodhail's summit .

Reaching the bealach between Càrn Eighe and Màm Sodhail

Reaching the bealach between Càrn Eighe and Màm Sodhail

Sgùrr na Lapaich from Màm Sodhail

Descend from Màm Sodhail's lofty summit and set your sights eastward along a splendid, broad ridge that leads over Mullach Cadha Rainich , a 'Munro Top'. From there, continue towards Sgùrr na Lapaich , another 'Munro Top', whose stature originally had it placed on Hugh Munros's original list ! Approaching Sgùrr na Lapaich, you'll notice the intriguing crest - a stark divide between grassy ground and stony terrain, possibly made by an ancient and dramatic landslip that cascaded northwards.

From Sgùrr na Lapaich, veer south-east to avoid some crags, descending a steep shoulder blanketed in grass and heather. After shedding about 300m of elevation, swing east across open moorland to connect with a stalkers' track . This track meanders down to Glen Affric , emerging near Affric Lodge. A pleasant 2km stroll along the road returns to the car park by Chisholme Bridge.

On the track above Loch Affric

On the track above Loch Affric

On the Mullardoch Ferry, Beinn Fhoinnlaidh ahead

An excellent alternative to the route described above is to start your adventure with the Loch Mullardoch Ferry. This approach not only offers a delightful linear journey, but also significantly reduces the overall distance and ascent.

Once dropped off by the foot of Beinn Fhionnlaidh, just beyond the narrows of Loch Mullardoch, the route begins by crossing some damp ground then briefly heading through a patch of woodland. Emerging from the trees, the route climbs steadily up Beinn Fhionnlaidh's north-western shoulder. The ascent is a mix of grassy slopes with some short, steeper sections, ultimately leading to the summit crest. From here, a beautiful level stretch guides you effortlessly to Beinn Fhionnlaidh's summit itself, offering rewarding views along the way.

To complete the day, follow the described route above in reverse, over the Munro summits to Toll Creagach . From this point, descend through increasingly lush grass and thick heather, making your way to the Loch Mullardoch Dam to round off this superb outing.

Starting the hike up Beinn Fhionnlaidh's north-eastern shoulder

Starting the hike up Beinn Fhionnlaidh's north-eastern shoulder