Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a'Chaorachain
GLEN CARRON: LOCHCARRON TO ACHNAHSHEEN
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1. Park at Achnashellach Forest car park, which is signed on the north side of the road at Craig. Walk back down cross the road, following the track opposite across the railway level crossing. The track bends left and heads up the glen. There are great views ahead of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean.
2. After about a kilometre the track bends right and crosses a bridge over the River Carron. Once across the river the track soon forks; take the left fork, which begins a long climb above the (unseen) Sloc Mor gorge.
3. As height is gained, a terrific view opens up behind of the Coulin peaks. First to appear is Fuar Tholl on the left, later joined by Sgurr Ruadh and Beinn Liath Mhor. After just over a kilometre another forestry track goes off to the right – ignore this and keep to the main track, with views ahead of the Allt a Chonais gorge. Further on another track goes off right, this time signed for the 'Allt a'Chonais pinewood'; again continue ahead.
4. The track passes through a gate in a deer fence before reaching the top of a pass just to the left of a knoll. For the first time, Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a'Chaorachain can be seen ahead at the far end of the flat, treeless valley that now stretches ahead. Continue on the track, now slightly downhill, which soon comes close to the river. Ignore the path leading to a bridge, which is destined for Sgurr na Feartaig, instead continuing on the track for another couple of kilometres until the track bends left and ascends slightly. A cairn marks where a stalkers path turns off here on the right; take this turning, which in a short distance leads to a bridge over the Allt a'Chonais.
5. This stalkers path is boggy in places but fairly clear as it ascends the west side of the glen of the Allt Leathad an Tobair, keeping high
above the stream, to reach the wide Bealach Bhearnais. From here head for the start of the oddly-named Streanagan na Aon Pacan-deug ridge. This is wide
and featureless by the bealach but narrows and becomes very well defined as height is gained. It is mostly grassy but has a couple of rocky steps on the
way up to the summit ridge.
Photo ©Kieran Evans, reproduced under this Creative Commons license.
6. The ridge leads directly to the narrow summit ridge, with the cairn right on the edge of the crags. Sgurr Choinnich is 999 metres high, a
Munro, and has a good view over the void of Pollan Buidhe. From here, continue to the far end of the summit ridge and then descend the rocky ridge which
descends to the Bealach Coire Choinnich. The ascent on the far side is also rocky, but leads to the trig point on the summit of Sgurr a'Chaorachain. This
is the higher of the two Munros at 1053 metres.
Winter photo ©Jon Coupland, reproduced under this Creative Commons license. Note that completing the route in winter requires proper skills and equipment.
7. The easiest descent is to head north from the summit, down a grassy ridge, for 700 metres before bearing left down steeper but still grassy slopes to reach the lower section of the Allt Leathad an Tobair. Cross this to regain the route used for the ascent.
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Route profile
Accommodation links for this area:
Hotels in Glen Carron: Loch Carron to Achnasheen
Glen Carron: Loch Carron to Achnasheen Bed and Breakfasts
Self catering cottages in Glen Carron: Loch Carron to Achnasheen
Torridon & Gairloch hostels
Campsites in Torridon and Gairloch region
