Strathfarrar Munros

Entrance to Braulen estate in Strathfarrar

The A831 heads from Beauly south-west to Cannich. Around 15km down this road is Struy and just before the bridge at the entrance to this village, a sign points to Strathfarrar. There is a short drive to the gate barring access to the glen. There is a parking area for people prefering to leave the car and walk or cycle up the glen.

Beyond the gate, there are no access restrictions to walkers and cyclists, but vehicle access is restricted. From Spring to Autumn, the restrictions depend on the day of the week. In winter access can be gained by Mountaineering Scotland members by prior booking. More information is available on the Mountaineering Scotland website. If driving along the glen, note the speed limit is 30mph !

It's 12km from the gate to where a track heads uphill by the Allt Coire Mhuillidh, which is the end of this hill-route. The hill circuit starts 7km to west of this, just after some forestry and a bridge over the Allt Toll a'Mhuic, so I tend to have a bike with me to avoid walking back along the road.

Above Loch Toll a' Mhuic

Start up the track a fine track heading north-east. The track quickly comes to a split , some hydro works are off right, so keep to the left on the now rough track and following the Allt Toll a'Mhuic.

The track quickly becomes a stalkers path, which is excellent until it has to cross the Allt Toll a'Mhuic . This crossing can be difficult in spate !

After crossing, the path is still distinct, but now wetter and soggy. The path continues to above Loch Toll a'Mhuic , from where it can be left and a direct ascent over grass aiming for the Munro Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill can be made.

Alternatively, stay on the stalkers path as it climbs up grassy and wet ground. At around c830m, the path starts to turn north taking a relatively straightforward and sheltered route aiming for the bealach between Sgùrr na Fearstaig and Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill.

Instead of aiming for the bealach, I prefer to get the views earlier by leaving the stalkers path where it turns northwards then aiming west and striking directly up steep gassy slopes onto the southern arm of Sgùrr na Fearstaig. There's a delightful walk up a gentle grassy slope to reach the small cairn on this western summit .

Approaching Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill

Approaching Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill

Looking to Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais from the west

From Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill's summit, turn south-east and follow a very obvious and worn path down to gain a grassy bealach above the coire of Fuar-tholl Mòr.

Up a fairly gentle grass covered slope leads to the cairn on Creag Ghorm a' Bhealaich , where Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais and Càrn nan Gobhar and come into view ahead, with Sgùrr na Ruaidhe just popping up behind.

From Creag Ghorm a' Bhealaich's cairn, aim south and follow the rim of this peak's coire as it gradually turns eastwards to drop down to Bealach Toll Sgaile.

The climb up Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais is next and this begins on grass. Patches of small boulders are met, then a field of boulders and blocks on the approach to the summit - this can be avoided by keeping slightly to the south of the crest (there is a faint path to be found).

On Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais looking back to Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill

On Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais looking back to Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill

Descending Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais on way to Càrn nan Gobhar

In mist or with snow-cover, the continuation of this route from Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais might not appear too obvious - look for the head of a faint path which is to be found slightly to north of the trig point.

Aiming north-east, head down the path on grass which quickly travels into a boulder field and gets somewhat lost. The path reappears as grass is reached below, from where it continues down to Bealach Sneachda.

From the bealach, follow the path as it begins to head up the south-western shoulder of Càrn nan Gobhar. As the 900m contour is reached , the path makes a distinct pull north-east away from the crest. Stick with the path as it leads onto Càrn nan Gobhar's delightfully grass-covered, long and wide summit plateau.

On Càrn nan Gobhar looking back to Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais

On Càrn nan Gobhar looking back to Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais

Heading to Sgùrr na Ruaidhe from Càrn nan Gobhar

To continue onwards, aim east from Càrn nan Gobhar's cairn over more boulderfield and begin to lose some height. Fortunately the boulderfield doesn't last too long and feet are back onto grass-covered terrain.

Having left the boulderfield behind, start turning south-east and descend Càrn nan Gobhar's south-east ridge. A faint path is picked up which drops over heather and a minor bump to arrive at narrow Bealach nan Botaichean with its tiny lochan.

On the opposite side of Bealach nan Botaichean, an initial short sharp climb up heather presents itself. The gradient then easies and a straightforward hike over grassy ground up a gentle slope of around 1km is made to the summit of Sgùrr na Ruaidhe .

Sgùrr na Ruaidhe's summit cairn and view back to Càrn nan Gobhar

Sgùrr na Ruaidhe's summit cairn and view back to Càrn nan Gobhar

On Sgùrr na Ruaidhe, sun setting

From Sgùrr na Ruaidhe's summit, turn south west and begin heading downhill. A faint path is picked up and although it disappears occasionally into the wet ground, it is obvious enough to follow as it twists and turns a route down to the Allt Freumhach , which should be easy enough to cross.

Descending Sgùrr na Ruaidhe

Descending Sgùrr na Ruaidhe