Beinn Udlamain and Sgairneach Mhor

Kingussie and Newtonmore


Summary :	This southern pair of the four Munros on the west side of the Drumochter Pass are heathery hills rather than true mountains; few would ascend them if they did not top 3000 feet. The views, however, are good on a clear day.
Terrain :	Mostly straightforward hillwalking; the stream crossing would be dangerous or impossible in spate, and the descent from Beinn Udlamain is very steep in parts.
Grade :		Distance :	14.5km/9 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	6 – 8 hours
Start :	Layby on A9 at entrance to Coire Dhomhain	Grid ref :	NN632755
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 393 – Ben Alder 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 this walk in Google Earth Tell me more Open all walks in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
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Beinn Udlamain and Sgairneach Mhor no. 1

1. Park at the layby on the west side of the A9 near Drumochter Summit. Follow the track down ast the dilapidated house and cross the railway line to join the good track leading up into Coire Dhomhain. The steep dome-shaped hill on your left is the Sow of Atholl (a Corbett); unless including this in the day, continue along the track for about two kilometres. If it is possible to cross the stream, do so and head up the heather slopes to the south to join the ill-defined east ridge of Sgairneach Mhor to the west of the knoll at 758 metres.

Beinn Udlamain and Sgairneach Mhor no. 2

2. Continue the ascent towards Sgairneach Mhor; as height is gained the ridge becomes well-defined with the broken crags of Coire Creagach on the right. At the apex above this corrie is the trig point marking the summit at 991 metres; the first Munro of the day. There is a first glimpse of Ben Alder but this view improves as the walk continues. Descend gentle slopes southwest, then northwest and down to the bealach at the head of Coire Dhomhain.

Photo ©Callum Black, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

Beinn Udlamain and Sgairneach Mhor no. 3

3. From the bealach, ascend west a short distance to gain the broad south ridge of Beinn Udlamain; turn right up this to continue directly to the large cairn on the summit. At 1010 metres this is the highest of the Drumochter Munros, and has a magnificent view of Ben Alder behind Loch Ericht. Continue northeast from the summit to a minor bump where the ridge then descends more steeply to the east. It is possible to continue the walk onto A' Mharconaich; otherwise continue almost to the 860m bealach before striking off steeply downhill on awkward heather. Aim for the bottom of the stream flowing down from the bealach between Beinn Udlamain and A'Mharconaich, but don't descend too close to the stream as the flanks are even steeper there .

4. The floor of Coire Dhomhain will be reached with some relief. Turn left down the track to return to the railway and the start beside the A9 beyond.

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