An Socach from Glen Clunie

Braemar and Ballater


Summary :	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.
Terrain :	There is no path for much of the ascent but the terrain is straightforward heather slopes. The walk along the ridge is stony.
Grade :		Distance :	15.5km/9.5 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	5 – 6 hours
Start :	Layby on A93 near Baddoch Farm	Grid ref :	NO139832
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 387 – Glen Shee online	Ascent :	750m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open in Virtual Highlands Tell me more Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more
Munros climbed :	An Socach
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	[Click for timetables]

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.

Photo ©Ian Bruce, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

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 ©Nigel Brown, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

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 ©Nigel Brown, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

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 ©Lis Burke, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

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