Mullardoch Munros

Looking up Loch Mullardoch from the dam

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

In Cannich, by the traffic lights and aside the bridge over the River Cannich, a narrow road signposted to Glen Cannich and Mullardoch heads uphill. Drive up this as it climbs then drops down to the River Cannich. The road follows the river upstream, crossing it to its northern bank to travel to a junction below the Loch Mullardoch Dam.

Taking the right fork, drive towards the foot of Loch Mullardoch Dam, where there is a grassy area suitable for parking.

Previously, parking was permitted at the southern side of the dam (which is still marked on OS maps), but this access is now restricted by a barrier.

The Chisholm Stone

From the northern end of Loch Mullardoch Dam, follow an estate track past a few buildings toward a boat house. The track climbs slightly, passes the Chisholm Stone , levels out, and continues for about 1km to a small hydro building by the Allt Mullardoch.

Stay on the track as it follows the eastern bank of the river, continuing for just over 1 km until it ends at a small dam. A rough path continues for about 500m to a wooden bridge over the Allt a' Choire Dhuibh.

Creag Dubh from Càrn nan Gobhar's summit

Creag Dubh from Càrn nan Gobhar's summit

Sgùrr na Lapaich from Bealach na Cloiche Duibhe

Aiming north-west, a faint path can be found making its way down Càrn nan Gobhar's bouldery north-western shoulder. The path becomes more faint as it leads down to grass-covered Bealach na Clioche Duibhe where it weaves between some small lochans.

Beyond the bealach, the path becomes clearer as it climbs towards Sgùrr na Lapaich, initially gently, then more steeply over grassy terrain. The base of bouldery ground is reached and with a bit of navigation trial and error, faint traces of path can be found leading onto Sgùrr na Lapaich's grass-covered summit crest, approaching its highest point from the east.

Looking south from the summit of Sgùrr na Lapaich

Looking south from the summit of Sgùrr na Lapaich

An Riabhachan from Sgùrr na Lapaich

Following faint path, descend southwest from Sgùrr na Lapaich's cairn down a grassy slope, losing about 300m in elevation to reach Bealach Toll an Lochain . Care is needed in mist as partway down the slope the path splits - keep to the path heading southwest to avoid being pulled to the steep ground above Loch Mòr.

Just to the south-east of this soggy bealach is a burn to top up water bottles. Leaving the bealach behind, follow a path up An Riabhachan's eastern shoulder, though terrain is softer underfoot slightly south of the crest. Higher up An Riabhachan's eastern shoulder arrows to a ridge with the path travelling along its crest and leading onto the mountain's broad, grassy summit crest.

Looking back along An Riabhachan's summit with Sgùrr na Lapaich beyond

Looking back along An Riabhachan's summit with Sgùrr na Lapaich beyond

Looking back up the ridge towards An Riabhachan from Bealach a' Bholla

From An Riabhachan's summit, follow the long crest southwest for around 1.5km as it gradually descends. A little rise leads to another cairn standing in bouldery ground - take care here in poor visibility, as the route changes direction.

The path turns west and descends a short but steep and loose section down to a grassy ridge below. Follow the crest of this ridge for a short distance towards a minor top which can be by-passed on its southern side.

Continue down a clearer path descending toward Bealach a' Bholla , involving some easy scrambling before reaching this often windy col.

On summit of An Socach

On summit of An Socach

West of An Socach, there are no obvious paths, but the grass-covered ground offers excellent, runnable terrain that feels wonderfully remote.

From An Socach's summit crest, head southwest as it gently curves. As the crest turns southwards, leave it, descending a smooth, grassy slope to the broad crest of a shoulder overlooking Coire Lungard. Here, faint ATV tracks emerge, guiding you toward the end of the crest near the minor rise of Meall Shuas .

A joyful descent awaits as you bound down increasingly lush grass and rushes, arriving at the river near the head of Loch Mullardoch - a prìme spot to set up camp if you're backpacking.

Cross the river to join a track running west to east. Follow it briefly to where it meets the Allt Cam, where a rougher track can be seen climbing south.

At this point, you can opt to shorten the route by missing out Mullach na Dheiragain, Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan and An Socach and instead head directly up Beinn Fhionnlaidh . To do this, keep on the track as it continues eastwards and follow for around 1km down Gleann a' Choilich. After fording the river in the glen, a fairly steep climb up a continuous grassy slope reaches Beinn Fhionnlaidh's summit.

To continue to Mullach na Dheiragain take the track heading uphill alongside the west bank of the Allt Cam, passing a charming waterfall as you ascend. The track fades into the grass, and the climb toward Mullach Sithidh becomes a bit of a grind, ascending via its northern shoulder to reach this Munro Top.

Waterfalls on the Allt Cam

Waterfalls on the Allt Cam

About to head up Càrn na Con Dhu from Bealach na Con Dhu

On a wide grass-covered plateau, leave Mullach na Dheiragain's summit behind and aim southwards toward Bealach na Con Dhu .

In fine conditions, keep to the path sticking to the crest, which narrows as it climbs and the path starts to climb to gain the wide plateau of Càrn na Con Dhu . Sections of boulders have then to be crossed before descending down to the next col, Bealach nan Daoine .

Alternatively, if strong winds are blowing from the west, you may opt to stay sheltered which can be done by contouring on grassy ground (pathless) around the eastern side of Càrn na Con Dhu. Heading to Bealach nan Daoine , this route also avoids around 100m of ascent that would otherwise be needed if traversing over Càrn na Con Dhu.

On the way up Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan looking back to Mullarch na Dheiragain

On the way up Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan looking back to Mullarch na Dheiragain

Above Coire na Cloiche on way to An Socach

Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan marks the halfway point of the round, but with 2,900 meters of ascent already behind you, it's nearly two-thirds of the total climb done! This is also where the route turns homeward, with a satisfying sense of progress.

From the summit, head south-east along a worn path that follows a grassy crest around the rim of Coire nan Dearcag. The path dips to a col dotted with small lochans, rises gently, then loses a bit more elevation before a short climb leads to the minor summit of Stob Coire na Cloiche , perched high above steep northern slopes.

After another dip and rise, you reach the bealach before An Socach. From here, a straightforward hike over an undulating shoulder, dotted with peat patches and scattered boulders, takes you up to An Socach's summit , where a large cairn stands.

Looking back Màm Sodhail's south-western shoulder

An Socach has a broad crest stretching northeast, mainly grass-covered but interspersed with patches of boulders. A faint path threads through this terrain, leading down to Bealach Coire Ghaidheil , where a stalker's path crosses north from Glen Affric to Loch Mullardoch.

From the col, pick up another stalker's path on the opposite side and follow it uphill through boulderfield. After climbing roughly 300m, the path fades and begins contouring northward. At this point, leave the path and continue northeast onto the gravelly crest of Màm Sodhail's southwest shoulder.

Cairn on Màm Sodhail's summt

Cairn on Màm Sodhail's summt

Beinn Fhionnlaidh and Càrn Eighe from Màm Sodhail

From Màm Sodhail's summit, head north along a worn path that twists and turns as it descends to the bealach below Càrn Eighe. Instead of heading up Càrn Eighe, leave the path as it crosses the col and bear northwest over stony ground, descending to the top of a little burn on a grass-covered slope.

Here, pick up a faint path that contours around Càrn Eighe's western face toward the minor top of Stob Coire Lochan . Before reaching this top, join a more obvious path that descends Càrn Eighe's northern shoulder and follow it to Bealach Beag, the broad, grassy col below Beinn Fhionnlaidh.

An easy, well-marked path leads up to Beinn Fhionnlaidh's summit crest, where a short walk brings you to the summit cairn .

View along Loch Mullardoch from Beinn Fhionnlaidh

View along Loch Mullardoch from Beinn Fhionnlaidh

Heading to Càrn Eighe from Beinn Fhionnlaidh

Return down Beinn Fhionnlaidh's southern shoulder back to Bealach Beag. Around Stob Coire Lochan , stay along the crest of Càrn Eighe's northwest shoulder, following a well-defined path that climbs steadily uphill.

View north from Càrn Eighe

View north from Càrn Eighe

Descending the rocky ground below Sròn Garbh

From the summit of Càrn Eighe, head east, descending down a wide crest to a broad, grassy plateau. A line of old fence-posts are picked up and followed over the 'Munro Top' of Stob a' Choire Dhomhain .

The hill's crest divides as it approaches the top of Coire Dhomhain - following the obvious path, take the south-eastern shoulder, which dips slightly. Here, the crest narrows to a ridge adorned with fractured rocks, easily bypassed initially on the crest's south side with the path then weaving from side to side as it attempts to take the easiest line around the rocks. Once clear of the ridge, the crest broadens, and the path, alongside occasional posts, leads to Stob Coire Dhomhnuill , another 'Munro Top.'

After a small dip to a col and a short climb over a stoney minor summit, the path leads over a wide plateau and ascends to Sròn Garbh . Aptly named, this summit reveals challenging terrain ahead !

The path descends a sharp and steep quartzite scree slope, aided by a few short sections of man-made steps which are gradually being worn away by errosion and boots, leading to Garbh Bealach, where An Leth-chreag looms ahead. Terrain becomes easier as lines of stone and boulders are crossed while climbing the gently rising slope and following the sparodic line of posts to progress up An Leth-chreag , another 'Munro Top' !

Tom a' Choinich from An Leth-chreag

Tom a' Choinich from An Leth-chreag

Heading to Toll Creagach

Tom a' Chòinnich's summit is broad and flat, with cliffs on its eastern face that often hold snow well into spring. A shoulder extends directly east between these cliff lines, leading down to Bealach Toll Easa, with a faint path tracing the crest. In snow-free conditions, you may spot a faint stalkers' path zig-zagging more gently to the north of the crest, making the initial descent easier.

From Bealach Toll Easa, follow the path and fence posts as they climb uphill. The path branches a few times, staying on the stony crest leads to Toll Creagach's western top - a 'Munro Top' - which rests on a broad plateau.

Looking back to Tom a' Choinich from Toll Creagach

Looking back to Tom a' Choinich from Toll Creagach

View from Creag a' Bhaca over Loch Mullardoch Dam

From Toll Creagach, it might seem logical to take the faint path northeast toward Creag a' Bhaca, but further down, this route is covered in dense heather and hidden, mossy hollows - making for slow, exhausting progress, especially at the end of a long day.

Instead, from the summit, descend directly east along Toll Creagach's broad, grassy shoulder to a wide col. Then, head northeast into Fraoch-choire, following the Allt Fraoch-choire downstream towards the Mullardoch Dam. The terrain becomes somewhat heathery here, but it's still much easier going than the ground below Creag a' Bhaca.

As you descend, you'll reach a deer fence with a gate; beyond it, a soggy path (occasionally marked by ATV tracks) continues northeast. This leads to a track by a small wooden chalet - follow it down to the road near a house, just east of the dam.

In Fraoch-choire below Creag a' Bhaca

In Fraoch-choire below Creag a' Bhaca