Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan and neighbours, Alltbeithe
GLEN AFFRIC AND BEAULY
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1. The start of this walk is from Alltbeithe (also known as Glen Affric YHA), the remotest hostel in Britain. Allbeithe can only be reached on foot, and an overnight stop in the hostel, camping or at Camban bothy prior to this walk will be essential for most. The shortest approach is via the An Caorannmor from the Cluanie Inn. Far better approaches are by walking in from Glen Affric, or either of the two halves described in thisroute from Morvich, Kintail. From the hostel, take the path which leads out the back, passing the separate dormitory building and the water supply.
2. The route bends to the right and crosses the Allt Beithe Min, and then the Allt na Faing. Just beyond this latter stream, the excellently constructed path passes through a gate in the deer fence and begins to climb, keeping to the east side of the stream. A good view back of the Alltbeithe hostel opens up as height is gained; further up the mountainside, a second deer fence is reached at another gate. Continue up the path; further on the surface deteriorates and the going becomes boggier as Coire na Cloiche is reached.
3. Continue on the soggy path which climbs more gently up to the bealach (pass) at about 790 metres, with a view down the far side into desolate Gleann a'Choilich. From here, you need the decide which of the three peaks to tackle first. It seems a good idea to make it Mullach na Dheiragain, the remotest peak – Sgurr na Ceathreamhnan can be bypassed on the route out and climbed on the way back. To do this, do not descend north from the bealach but head west along the ridge for about two hundred metres first. At this point what looks at first like a small stream bed leads northwest off the ridge, leading to traces of a path descending fairly steeply northwest. Once down to the 750 metre contour, turn west heading for the outflow at the bottom of the Loch Coire nan Dearcag lochans.
4. These lochans are set in a grand, remote corrie, backed by crags. Crossing the boggy area below them is relatively straightforward; now head northwest up straightforward slopes to reach the Bealach nan Daoine. At the pass you will meet a path along the ridge; turn right along it. It climbs up towards the Top of Carn na Con Dhu. The summit area of this peak can be confusing in mist are there are various knobbly undulations. Towards the northeast end, a short boulder field is crossed and after that the ridge narrows, with steep slopes on the right, and the way is clearer, descending in two sections to reach the Bealach na Con Dhu.
5. Continue along the ridge, heading up the wide and sprawling slopes of Mullach na Dheiragain. The path seems to wander off left rather than
ascending, so strike out directly up the slope to locate the summit cairn towards the far end. Mullach na Dheiragain is a Munro at 982 metres, and is
one of the least accessible of all Britain's peaks. Reaching it from and returning to any roadside starting point inside a day is a feat for supermen
only, so its summit is a real prize, even if the summit area lacks distinction. Return back down the ridge, crossing the Bealach na Con Dhu and Carn na
Con Dhu, to return to the Bealach nan Daoine. This time, continue along the ridge as it ascends once more.
Photo ©Paul Birrell
reproduced under CC-SA2.0 licence.
6. As height is gained the ridge narrows and steepens to give a fine route directly to the summit cairn of Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan. This is the highest Munro in the immediate area, at 1151 metres, and is at the apex of several ridges as well as being a very extensive viewpoint. The summit ridge leading west from the cairn is narrow and dramatic, but the continuation of our walk is to descend the southeast ridge. This descends continuously at first before turning east and crossing several undulations and minor summits before reaching the bealach reached earlier, at the top of the path up from Alltbeithe.
Photo from the summit during a temperature inversion – shows 'Glory' or ring of light.
7. Before descending back to Alltbeithe, it is straightforward to include the third Munro of An Socach in the itinerary. Continue east from the bealach, climbing briefly before crossing a flat area with several lochans. The dome of An Socach looms just beyond, and is easily ascended following the path. The summit cairn is 921 metres, making it the smallest of the three summits. Return to the bealach, and then retrace the path back down to Alltbeithe via the Allt na Faing.
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Hotels in Glen Affric and Beauly
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Hostels in Loch Ness and Glen Affric
