A' Mharconaich and Geal Charn, Drumochter

Kingussie and Newtonmore


Summary :	These are the northerly two summits of the four Munros on the west side of the Drumochter Pass. Geal Charn is a featureless lump but A' Mharconaidh has a steep prow facing the road; both give fine views towards Ben Alder.
Terrain :	Straightforward hillwalking on these heathery mountains; the descent down the nose of A' Mharconaich is steeper and would require more care in winter.
Grade :		Distance :	11.5km/7 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	5 – 7 hours
Start :	Layby on A9 near Balsporran Cottages	Grid ref :	NN627791
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 393 – Ben Alder online	Ascent :	713m
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1. Begin at the parking area by Balsporran Cottages off the west side of the A9. The cottages are situated in an extremely bleak spot at 425 metres – in winter this is as cold as spot as you will find in Britain – hence the ice-castle when we walked this route. Cross the level crossing and follow the path beyond, taking the obvious branch which heads directly up the heathery slopes.

2. Higher up the path becomes a bulldozed track; continue to the flat shoulder where few of the once mighty cairns which guarded Drumochter remain standing. The summit of Geal Charn is an easy kilometre beyond. Although an undistinguished Munro and one of the easiest to reach, the cairn at the summit has a grand view over Loch Ericht to Ben Alder. To the south can be seen the more shapely hill of A' Mharconaidh.

Photo ©John Armistead, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

3. Descend southwest and then south to reach the wide bealach at 739 metres. Continue up the featureless slopes beyond, bearing slightly left until you reach the summit plateau of A' Mharconaich. Continue northeast across the plateau to reach the summit cairn, the second Munro of the day at 975 metres.

Photo ©Stuart Meek, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

4. The descent from the summit is the steepest part of the day. Descend northwards down a spur, with a steep corrie on the right; this requires care under the winter conditions when these hills are popular. The spur flattens out before steepening again as it curves round to the northeast. Continue down the now gentler ridge. Lower down the going becomes very rough; it is best to bear left and cross the stream before following a path back to Balsporran Cottages.

Photo ©Thelma Stuart, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

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