
Munros above Loch Monar
Hillwalking route up Sgurr a' Chaorachain and Sgurr Choinnich
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.
Route outline
Munros | ||||
Walk ascent | 1230m (4030ft) | |||
distance | 11km (7m) | |||
time | 4:50hr | |||
Bike ascent | 300m (980ft) | |||
distance | 11km (7m) | |||
time | 1:00hr | |||
Start/finish | Craig, nr Achnashellach Grid Ref : NH040493 | |||
Terrain |
| |||
Nav |
| |||
Effort |
| |||
Scenery |
| |||
Sgurr a' Chaorachain and Sgurr Choinnich are two Munros that stand on a headwall glimpsed when travelling past Craig in Glen Carron.
A fine cycleable estate track leads to the base of these mountains which can then be bagged in a circular route following crests and rims of corries.
Though not a Munro, nearby Bidean an Eoin Deirg is a distinctive peak to the east of Sgurr a' Chaorachain and deserving of the extra effort to reach. Maoile Lunndaidh is further east still, but with only 600m of additional ascent also worth the detour effort.
Show map
Route description
1. Getting to 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. Bike to Pollan Buidhe

Sgurr a' Chaorachain and Sgurr Choinnich from the track in Glen Uig
Leaving the car-park behind, head across the A890 to the railway crossing and through the gates over the line.
Now in a field, possibly with livestock or stag-ponies, follow an estate track eastwards to woodland by the River Carron. A bridge crosses the river, beyond which the tracks splits , - take the track heading left and uphill.
The track climbs quite steeply for around 1km, coming to another junction with a signpost to the right to woodland - keep left on the track heading uphill.
Uphill for a further 1km, a deer-fence enclosing the forest is met with a gate and side entrance . After heading through the gate, a little more ascent arrives at the head of a hidden glen, where the track turns southwards. The track drops a little and passes another branch
which heads to dam over the Allt a' Chonas.

Crossing the Allt a' Chonais via the wire bridge


Crossing the Allt a' Chonais via the wire bridge
3. Sgurr Choinnich

Above Bealach Bhearnais, heading up Sgurr Choinnich
On foot, follow the worn and soggy path that heads south-east from the small cairn to meet with a wire bridge over the Allt a'Chonais.
Cross the bridge (which requires care, but is fun), then continue up a section of track for around 300m to where it ends abruptly. A rough stalker's path leads onwards which climbs gently for around 2km to reach Bealach Bhearnais where three hillsides converge.
Upon approaching the bealach, and as the stalker's path becomes fainter, strike south-eastwards up a grass-covered slope to reach the western shoulder of Sgurr Choinnich.
Hiking up Sgurr Choinnich's western shoulder a faint path begins to form, becoming more obvious with height gained. There are a few sections of rough terrain, perhaps requiring hands on rock, but all straightforward and before long, Sgurr Choinnich's summit crest is gained.

Approaching the summit of Sgurr Choinnich


Approaching the summit of Sgurr Choinnich
4. Sgurr a' Chaorachain

Sgurr a' Chaorachain from Sgurr Choinnich
From Sgurr Choinnich's summit, continue along its crest to a small cairn on a slight rise. The cairn marks a change of direction to east-north-east - in mist the route isn't very obvious from here and if following the crest of the summit it could be easy to pulled south-east !
From the small cairn 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
5. Bidean an Eoin Deirg

Maoile Lunndaidh and Bidean an Eoin Deirg from Sgurr a' Chaorachain
To the east of Sgurr a' Chaorachain is Bidean an Eoin Deirg, a 'Munro Top', very shapely and worthy of a visit if just for the fine views eastwards from its summit .
The distance between Sgurr a' Chaorachain and Bidean an Eoin Deirg is around 1.5km with the route travelling along a crest following the rim of Coire an Lochain Ghaineamhaich and Coire Dearg Mor.
If intending to return from Bidean an Eoin Deirg, retrace steps to Sgurr a' Chaorachain. If heading to Maoile Lunndaidh, retrace footsteps for around 300m, then head northwards to descend some rough terrain north-east to Drochaid Mhuilich - you might find a map and case that I dropped here many years ago !
6. Return to Craig

Descending Sgurr a' Chaorachain
Leaving Sgurr a' Chaorachain's trig point behind, head northwards on a wide grass-covered slope for around 750m, losing around 150m of height to a point where the slope levels out and where two options await.
Heading north-east, one possible route follows the line of the hill downwards beginning pleasant enough and meeting up with the Allt an Lubhain Bhuidhe. Lower down, terrain becomes steep and loose with the track in Glen Uig being met around 2km east of where bikes have been dropped off.

On the track out, Sgurr nan Ceannaichean behind


On the track out, Sgurr nan Ceannaichean behind
7. Detour to Maoile Lunndaidh

Carn nam Fiaclan above Drochaid Mhuilich
From Sgurr a' Chaorachain's summit, begin to head northwards down wide grass-covered slope. 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.
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
.
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.

Descending Maoile Lunndaidh towards Glen Uig



Descending Maoile Lunndaidh towards Glen Uig
Route profile »

Maps and GPX downloads »
![]() |
Download GPX of route |
![]() |
Open route in OS Maps |
The map images above link to items on Amazon. A small commission is earned on any map purchased which helps fund the operating costs of this website.
Weather forecasts »
Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
Seasonal | SAIS - Lochaber Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Monar's Big 9 | |
![]() |
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. Peaks : 6 Munros, 3 Corbetts
Ascent : 4075m (13370ft) Distance : 43km (27m) Time : 15:40hr |
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 |
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 |
