Beinn a'Ghlo

More a range of hills than a single peak, Beinn a'Ghlo has three Munro summits giving a strenuous day. The summits may be rounded, but the steep flanks and sculpted form of this great massif makes for a memorable outing.

Terrain

Mostly good paths, with steep descents between the peaks and some rough, boggy ground on the return.

Public Transport

Public transport to Blair Atholl, 4 km from the walk start.

Winter Safety

Please note that hillwalking in winter conditions - which is whenever there is snow lying - requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly, and to judge which routes are safe for the conditions and your party in winter. Please see our Winter Essentials for details.

Users' reports

Read reports by: jonny616 Sabbathstevie DrookitMunter weaselmaster laconic surf BlackPanther thand captainslow quoman paul2610 dogplodder gman Stug njcuthbert weescotsman csimbad JB likes a beer bobble_hat_kenny thehawk_3 tomcar Driftwood nzt2011 dunrig dazzlingboy SMRussell murphy999 Steve B PeteR clivew Jockstar johnnyhall pigeon andrewdoggett Johnny Corbett rockhopper gammy leg walker Stretch Stevie Foster old danensian davetherave kevsbald bio-man
Write your report - there's £90 to win at Webtogs each month

Start

Parking at end of public section of Monzie road, near Loch Moraig. Map and directions.

Currently 3.80/5

User Rating
Log in to vote

grade grade grade grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 22km/13.75 miles
Time: 9 - 10 hours
Ascent: 1239m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NN905671

Summits Climbed

Munro: Carn Liath
Munro: Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain
Munro: Carn nan Gabhar

Maps / GPS

Accommodation

Perthshire hostels

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the end of the public road signed for Monzie; the area to park is in a rough layby on the left just beyond a cattle grid (near Loch Moraig, though this is out of sight). Begin by continuing on foot along the tarmac for a short distance to a junction beside the forest plantation. Take the right branch here, through a gate. Head along the track, climbing gradually, until a grassy track forks off left to pass through a gate near a wooden hut, with the great dome of Carn Liath looming ahead. The path heads directly towards Carn Liath; it is grassy at first but becomes more more obvious and badly eroded once on the heather slopes. The erosion scar higher on the hill be seen for miles around.

Stage 2

After the initial section past the butts the path steepens considerably up the heather slopes. The directness does at least ensure the first Munro of the day is reached; the summit cairn is just beyond the trig point at 975 metres. There are excellent views all around, and the best part of the days walk now stretches ahead. The path follows a delightful ridge, curving left, then right and then left again to reach the bealach.

Photo: Stretch

Stage 3

From the bealach there is a steeper climb up towards the next Munro. The main eroded path climbs across the slope to the right; some of the loose stones can be avoided by following a smaller path more directly up the ridge. The climb then continues less steeply, round the edge of a scooped corrie to reach the summit cairn of Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain, the central one of Beinn a'Ghlo's three peaks. Finding the route to the next bealach requires care; firstly continue round the corrie edge to reach the lower summit at 1016.

Photo: Stretch

Stage 4

From here continue by heading left along the plateau edge but keep an eye out for a steep route down on the right if visibility is poor. There is a path which makes the descent, beginning a little before the bealach with the 1004 metre northern spot height. Continue steeply down to the Bealach an Fhiodha, losing another 150 metres of height. Across the other side a path makes a rising traverse up onto the ridge of Carn nan Gabhar, probably a tiring ascent by this point in the day. Once on the ridge the ascent is gently but the ground is very stony. Pass a cairn and then a trig point before finally reaching the well-built summit cairn beyond. Carn nan Gabhar is the highest summit of Beinn a'Ghlo at 1129 metres, with fine views into the wilds around the head of Glen Tilt.

Photo: Johnny Corbett

Stage 5

The return route to Loch Moraig is long and tiring. Return to the Bealach an Fhiodha and head down the east side of the stream to the south. Cross the stream before it joins the Allt na Beinn Bige to pick up a stalkers path you should have been able to see earlier, contouring round the base of Beinn Bheag. The going is boggy in places, but after crossing the Allt Coire na Saobhaidh the path begins to improve and eventually joins a track. Follow this track for several kilometres - enjoying great views back to the whole Beinn a'Ghlo range - before rejoining the outward route at the huts below Carn Liath. Continue along the track to return to the start.

Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing? Please let us know by using the error report form.

Beinn a'Ghlo

Terrain

Public Transport

Winter Safety

Users' reports

Start

Walk Statistics

Summits Climbed

Maps / GPS

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Stage 2

Photo: Stretch

Stage 3

Photo: Stretch

Stage 4

Photo: Johnny Corbett

Stage 5

Route Profile