Heading up along Lurg Mhor's eastern ridge

Monar's Big 9

Route bagging the Munros and Corbetts surrounding Loch Monar

A superb route in a remote area around the western head of Loch Monar, bagging grand and rugged peaks. Ideal for hardy hill-runners or hikers who are used to backpacking, the route can also be split into four easier outings.



Route outline


Munros

Sgurr a' Chaorachain, 

Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich, 

Lurg Mhor, 

Sgurr Choinnich, 

Maoile Lunndaidh, 

Moruisg

Corbetts

Sgurr na Feartaig, 

Beinn Tharsuinn, 

Sgurr nan Ceannaichean

Walk ascent 3700m (12130ft)
         distance 32km (20m)
         time 14:10hr
Bike ascent 375m (1230ft)
         distance 11km (7m)
         time 1:30hr
Start/finish Craig, nr Achnashellach
Grid Ref : NH040493
Terrain
easy hard
Nav
easy hard
Effort
easy hard
Scenery
ok fab


Between Torridon and Affric, the mountains of Monar are grand peaks sitting in a vast and fairly remote area. The mountains all have very different character, some with wide plateaux, others with narrow ridges and summits perched above precipitous drops.

This route takes in nine significant peaks - six Munros and three Corbetts - and is in a wild area with rugged terrain, much of which is pathless and therefore suitable only for experienced hillwalkers and hillrunners. The effort is easied by cyclable estate track heading in from Craig to Pollan Buidhe at the foot of Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, which has the benefit of not only cutting down time needed, but also giving a downhill freewheel at the end of the route - just the tonic to bring a smile and relax tired legs !

This route can also be cut into several shorter outings - see 'Alternative and nearby routes' at the bottom of the page.



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Route description


1. Getting to Craig

Railway crossing at Craig

Railway crossing at Craig

West of Inverness and the Black Isle, the A890 travels from Achnasheen through Glen Carron towards Lochcarron and Kyle of Lochalsh. On the road, around halfway between Achnasheen and Lochcarron, is the collection of houses that make up Craig.

In Craig, there is a railway crossing, opposite which is the entrance to Achnashellach Forest car-park, where there is room for around 10 cars in the dense woodland. Beware, midgies can be ferocious in the shelter of the trees !

If intending to arrive by train, the Inverness to Kyle line passes through Craig, with the nearest station being at Achnashellach Halt, around 4km to the west.


2. Cycle to Pollan Buidhe

On the track to Pollan Buidhe, Fuar Tholl in distance

On the track to Pollan Buidhe, Fuar Tholl in distance

Leaving the forestry car park behind, cross the A890 to reach the railway crossing and head through the gates over the line.

Once in the field, which may have livestock or stag-ponies, follow an estate track eastwards towards the woodland by the River Carron. Cross the bridge over the river, and at the split in the tracks, take the left track heading uphill.

The track ascends steeply for about 1km, reaching a junction with a signpost pointing right to woodland. Keep left on the uphill track

Continue uphill for another 1km until you reach a deer fence enclosing the forest, with a gate and side entrance . Pass through the gate and ascend a bit more to arrive at the head of a hidden glen, where the track turns southward. The track descends slightly and passes another branch leading to a dam over the Allt a' Chonas.

(If not cycling and intending to bag Sgurr na Feartaig, then just beyond the track to the dam is a rather rickety bridge - this leads to a direct route up this Corbett. See 'Sgurr na Feartaig from Craig' in 'Alternative and nearby routes' at the bottom of this page.)

Crossing the wire bridge at Pollan Buidhe

Crossing the wire bridge at Pollan Buidhe

Stay on the main track, following it around the base of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean for another 2km, until the track takes a sharp left turn. Here, a small cairn on the right marks the start of a footpath. Leave bikes at this point.

Crossing the wire bridge at Pollan Buidhe

Crossing the wire bridge at Pollan Buidhe


3. Sgurr na Feartaig and Beinn Tharsuinn

Beinn Tharsuinn from Sgurr na Feartaig

Beinn Tharsuinn from Sgurr na Feartaig

On foot, follow the worn and soggy path heading southeast from the small cairn until you reach a wire bridge over the Allt a'Chonais.

Cross the wire bridge carefully - it's a fun but challenging crossing - and continue along the track beginning on the opposite side of the river for about 300m until it ends abruptly. From here, follow a rough stalker's path, which climbs gently for approximately 2km, reaching Bealach Bhearnais where three hillsides converge.

A short, sharp detour, north-west up tussocky ground will get the Corbett, Sgurr na Feartaig bagged.

From Bealach Bhearnais, head directly up the steep, grassy north-east shoulder of Beinn Tharsuinn. It levels out onto ground with short grass, making for pleasant progress.

Sgurr na Conbhaire and Loch Monar from Beinn Tharsuinn

Sgurr na Conbhaire and Loch Monar from Beinn Tharsuinn

Follow the crest of Beinn Tharsuinn to its summit from where fine views towards Skye and Torridon can be savoured from the small cairn perched on the flat crest.

Sgurr na Conbhaire and Loch Monar from Beinn Tharsuinn

Sgurr na Conbhaire and Loch Monar from Beinn Tharsuinn


4. Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich from Beinn Tharsuinn

Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich from Beinn Tharsuinn

Head south-west from Beinn Tharsuinn's cairn, picking a route mainly on grass between patches of boulders to drop to a flat area with a lochan.

Keeping to the north side of this lochan, gradually turn in a more westerly direction to clamber down a blunt nose to a wide crest that leads onto a bealach below Beinn Tharsuinn's western summit.

At the lowest point on the bealach , turn south-west and begin to loose height on a grass-covered hillside.

Having dropped around 150m, a wall is met and followed down to Bealach an Sgoltaidh below Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich. Cross onto the west side of the wall and start climbing uphill.

As the ground steepens, a faint path forms which aims straight uphill, then briefly veers slightly to the right. The path climbs a little more, then turns left to join a grassy terrace between some layers of crags. The bottom of an obvious grassy gully is reached, which is climbed (easier than it looks) as it heads up to a small cairn quite close to a small lochan .

Lurg Mhor from on the way up Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

Lurg Mhor from on the way up Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

Progress is now much easier while heading in a generally southwards direction over a wide plateau crossing lines of rock. Another lochan is met, shortly after which the plateau narrows to a narrow spur. The path, now very obvious, aims directly up this spur to gain Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich's rather small grass-covered summit on which sits a small cairn.

Lurg Mhor from on the way up Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

Lurg Mhor from on the way up Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich


5. Lurg Mhor

Lurg Mhor from Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

Lurg Mhor from Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

From Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich's small cairn, follow the path initially south-west along the hill's narrow summit crest. There are a couple of sections of bare rock which when wet will require a little care to cross.

As the crest widens, the path turns south-east and drops down grassy slopes, badly worn in bits, aiming towards Bealach Cul an Torrain . On the northern side of this bealach is a section of old wall - ideal shelter out of winds.

Looking south-east from the bealach, a worn path can be seen zig-zagging up the bouldery ground above. Follow this path to reach more level ground where the bouldery terrain is left behind and a little lochan is passed.

Heading up Lurg Mhor from Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

Heading up Lurg Mhor from Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

The path then climbs up the mainly grass-covered slopes leading to Lurg Mhor's summit where two cairns rest - the smaller and more northerly one stands on the mountain's highest point.

Heading up Lurg Mhor from Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

Heading up Lurg Mhor from Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich


6. Sgurr Choinnich

The burn below Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

The burn below Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich

From Lurg Mhor's cairn, head south-east over grass-covered terrain and follow the edge of the mountain's north-facing coire. The route ahead narrows to a crest and turns eastwards. Now on more rocky terrain, begin to descend towards a col . There is some easy scrambling and bounding over boulders and one tricky little step which needs to be tackled head on.

Beyond the col, progress is over much easier terrain as the ridge gradually widens to reach a small cairn sitting in the middle Meall Mor's vast grass-covered summit plateau.

Leaving the small cairn on Meall Mor behind, continue following the hill's crest for another 400m or so, then turn initially northwards and begin to descend towards the western end of Loch Monar. Turning north-east progress is down steep, wet, grassy ground encountering a small, old, mucky hut above the loch's shore for brief shelter out of rain or wind.

(If you'd prefer to avoid the scramble to Lurg Mhor's eastern top, then an alternative is return to Bealach Cul an Torrain , then, on grassy ground, follow the burn tumbling north-east down towards the western end of Loch Monar.

An escape route can also be taken from the western end of Loch Monar by following ATV tracks up the eastern side of the Allt Bealach Crudhain back to Bealach Bhearnais .)


Ahead and above looms the steep, wide and grass-covered slope of Sgurr na Conbhaire, the ascent of which is straightforward, but relentless. At around the 700m contour, the wide slope begins to narrow to a crest which is followed to the top of Sgurr na Conbhaire .

From Sgurr na Conbhaire's summit, a faint path is picked up to follow northwards along a wide ridge, initially downwards to a col, then up to Sgurr Choinnich's south-eastern summit , sitting at the end of a wide grass-covered ridge above the steep face of Coire Choinnich.

On the ridge between Sgurr na Conbhaire and Sgurr Choinnich

On the ridge between Sgurr na Conbhaire and Sgurr Choinnich

Sgurr Choinnich has three summits, the middle of which is the highest and is a mere 250m detour from the south-eastern top.

On the ridge between Sgurr na Conbhaire and Sgurr Choinnich

On the ridge between Sgurr na Conbhaire and Sgurr Choinnich


7. Sgurr a' Chaorachain

Beginning the descent to Bealach Coire Choinnich

Beginning the descent to Bealach Coire Choinnich

From Sgurr Choinnich's summit, return back along its crest to the small cairn on its south-eastern top .

Begin to head east-north-east, descending down a worn path. The path zig-zags as it tries to pick a way down the easiest terrain though some bare rock needs crossing as Bealach Coire Choinnich , the col between Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a' Chaorachain, is neared.

After crossing the grass-covered col, the initial climb up Sgurr a' Chaorachain's western shoulder is quite rough, with some clambering up rocky terrain.

On the way up Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Sgurr Choinnich behind

On the way up Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Sgurr Choinnich behind

Higher up the slope becomes more gentle and easier underfoot, to approach the remains of Sgurr a' Chaorachain's summit trig point within a circular stone dyke on top of a grass-covered plateau.

On the way up Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Sgurr Choinnich behind

On the way up Sgurr a' Chaorachain, Sgurr Choinnich behind


8. Maoile Lunndaidh

Carn nam Fiaclan above Drochaid Mhuilich

Carn nam Fiaclan above Drochaid Mhuilich

From Sgurr a' Chaorachain's summit, begin to head northwards down wide grass-covered slope.

(An escape route can be made from here directly back to Pollan Buidhe. See ' Munros above Loch Monar' in 'Alternative and nearby routes' at the bottom of this page.)

There is no path to trace as the slope of the hill is descended as it turns around Lochan Gaineamhach to reach heather-clad ground lower down.

The Allt an Lochan Ghaineamhaich is easily hopped over, followed by a crossing of the flat ground of Drochaid Mhuilich to reach the foot of Carn nam Fiaclan.

Above and ahead, a path can be seen picking a route through heather, then loose stoney ground higher up, which requires the occasional bit of clambering. Onto the wide crest of Carn nam Fiaclan, terrain leading to the summit is mostly grass-covered interspersed with boulderfield and lines of rock.

Carn nam Fiaclan above Fuar-tholl Mor

Carn nam Fiaclan above Fuar-tholl Mor

Beyond Carn nam Fiaclan, a very enjoyable wander over a grass-covered plateau following a faint path, leads over Creag Toll a' Chroin perched above a fine coire, to reach the cairn on the stone-covered summit of Maoile Lunndaidh .

Carn nam Fiaclan above Fuar-tholl Mor

Carn nam Fiaclan above Fuar-tholl Mor


9. Moruisg

Descending Maoile Lunndaidh towards Glen Uig

Descending Maoile Lunndaidh towards Glen Uig

To descend Maoile Lunndaidh to Glen Uig, leave the summit and head slightly west of north down a wide slope, mainly grass-covered but soggy in bits with a few patches of boulderfield. After around 1km, cross a small burn, begin to turn westwards and drop down onto the western arm of the minor summit of Creag Dhubh Mhor.

Follow the line of Creag Dhubh Mhor's shoulder westwards, then as descent steepens, aim north-west, to lose more height to cross the burn tumbling down from Fuar-tholl Mor.

Now in Glen Uig, cross the River Meig (which should be straightforward), then head towards Glenuaig Lodge, on the way picking up an ATV track in the glen. Before reaching the lodge, the foot of a stalker's path is met.

Begin to head up the stalker's track as it climbs directly uphill. Higher up the track twists and turns, then disappears at around a height of 750m. A faint path continues north-westwards from the end of the stalker's track and shortly thereafter crosses a burn. A direct hike aimibg north-west over wet tussocky ground gains the cairns on Moruisg's summit crest.

The larger cairn on Moruisg with Torridon behind

The larger cairn on Moruisg with Torridon behind

There are three cairns on Moruisg's top - I think the small centre one marks the highest point !

The larger cairn on Moruisg with Torridon behind

The larger cairn on Moruisg with Torridon behind


10. Sgurr nan Ceannaichean

Sgurr nan Ceannaichean above Coire Toll nam Bian

Sgurr nan Ceannaichean above Coire Toll nam Bian

To continue onwards to Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, leave the cairns on Moruisg and head south-west. A faint but fairly easy to follow path can be traced as it sticks to the line of the crest above the rim and crags of Coire Toll nam Bian.

Further on, the path turns south-west, then west and drops down to a grassy bealach . Just north of the bealach some shelter amongst rocks can be found to get out of any westerly winds.

The path climbs out of the bealach and up some grassy hillsides then onto Sgurr nan Ceanaichean's north-eastern shoulder. Once up here, a short walk of around reaches a short steep section, where the path zig-zags up through some loose rocky terrain then gains the summit .

Nearing the summit of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, Moruisg behind

Nearing the summit of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, Moruisg behind

There are two cairns on Sgurr nan Ceanaichean's flat top, the south-easterly is the more prominent, but decide for yourself which marks the highest point on this fine hill !

Nearing the summit of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, Moruisg behind

Nearing the summit of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, Moruisg behind


11. Return

Waterfall by Pollan Buidhe

Waterfall by Pollan Buidhe

Proceed south-west from Sgurr nan Ceannaichean's southerly cairn and after dropping around 200m, you'll meet a stalker's track .

Follow this track as it twists and turns down Sgurr nan Ceannaichean's south-west facing slopes towards Glen Uig and Pollan Buidhe. The track travelling through the glen is met, from where a brief walk of around 750m returns to where you've left your bike .

Free-wheeling down Glen Carron

Free-wheeling down Glen Carron

After cycling around the base of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, the downhill free-wheel back to Craig in Glen Carron is brilliant !

Free-wheeling down Glen Carron

Free-wheeling down Glen Carron





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Moruisg and Sgurr nan Ceannaichean

A fine, easy hike on a circular route following faint paths and taking in the Munro Moruisg and Corbett (and previously a Munro) Sgurr nan Ceannaichean.

Peaks : 1 Munro, 1 Corbett

Ascent : 1070m (3510ft)
Distance : 12km (7m)
Time : 4:45hr

Munros above Loch Monar

Set back from Glen Carron, Sgurr a' Chaorachain and Sgurr Choinnich are two Munros linked by a ridge above Glen Uig. A cycle along a fine estate track reaches the foot of these mountains and routes can be varied to include nearby Bidean an Eoin Deirg or Maoile Lunndaidh.

Peaks : 2 Munros, option of additional Munro

Ascent : 1530m (5020ft)
Distance : 22km (14m)
Time : 5:50hr

Maoile Lunndaidh from Strathfarrar

A lovely walk along fine paths above the shores of Loch Monar leads to the southern base of Maoile Lunndaidh from where an old stalkers path travels uphill into Toll a' Choin below the summit crest. A detour to An Sithean doesn't add much distance, just a tad over 300m of ascent.

Peaks : 1 Munro, option of 1 Corbett

Ascent : 1350m (4430ft)
Distance : 25km (16m)
Time : 8:15hr

Attadale Forest

Lurg Mhor, Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich and Beinn Dronaig stand above Loch Calavie in a remote area of Wester Ross. Fortunately, a fine hydro-track gives easy access by bike into this wilderness.

Peaks : 2 Munros, 1 Corbett

Ascent : 1730m (5680ft)
Distance : 40km (25m)
Time : 8:5hr

Sgurr na Feartaig from Craig

Following stalkers paths for much of the way, a fine circular route can be enjoyed hiking over rugged little Sgurr na Feartaig above Achnashellach Forest.

Peaks : 1 Corbett

Ascent : 1220m (4000ft)
Distance : 20km (12m)
Time : 7hr









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