An Socach is one of the minor Munros of the area, a rounded whale of a hill which can either be climbed quickly by this short route from Baddoch Farm, or via an alternative approach from Inverey and Glen Ey.
Summary
There is no path for much of the ascent but the terrain is straightforward heather slopes. The walk along the ridge is stony.
Terrain
NO139832
Grid ref
15.5km/9.5 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Users'
rating
Public transport
1. There is good parking beside the edge of the plantations on the A93 towards the head of Glen Clunie. The walk begins through the large gate on a landrover track; keep left at the fork and follow the track past an old farmhouse into the Baddoch Glen. Beyond the farmhouse the track soon crosses a bridge over the Baddoch burn and continues up the other side.
2. After another kilometre the track fords the Allt Coire Fhearneasg. Once across it, leave the track here and climb the initially steep slopes beside this burn. When these slopes ease, bear left away from the stream, aiming for a cairn at the foot of the southeast ridge of An Socach; the ascent to here is very gradual. Continue up the ridge towards the steeper slopes ahead, which are best tackled by keeping to the right where there are the beginnings of an eroded path.
Photo: Sloosh
3. Above this steeper section the gradients become very gentle. Continue along the broad, stony ridge to the eastern summit of An Socach. The ridge continues beyond, descending very slightly to the minor bealach between the two tops. On the return it is possible to descend from this bealach to reach the head of the landrover track, which is probably a little quicker than heading back over the eastern top.
Photo: Sloosh
4. From the bealach continue west along the undulating ridge to reach the windshelter cairn at the true western summit. This may be undistinguished, but it does attain Munro status at 944 metres, and has a view of the main mass of the Cairngorms to the northwest. Return to the bealach and either descend from there or retrace your outward route.
Photo: Sloosh
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