Strathfarrar 4 - Parking

[ScotFinn65]

Can anyone confirm the distance between Milton Cottage gate parking and the parking at the start of the Strathfarrar 4?

I am considering whether it would be easier to arrive early and walk the extra mileage, than wait for the gate to open.

TIA

[Backpacker]

It's about 7 or 8 miles

[ScotFinn65]

It's about 7 or 8 miles

Thanks Backpacker. So not really feasible solution then

[al78]

There looks to be an alternative (longer) route from the north which avoids the access issue. You could park near Loch Beannacharain, then from Inverchoran, there is a path marked which goes south over a small bealach to glen Orrin, cross a bridge over the river, then it is straight up to Sgurr a Choire Ghlais. It may be possible to aim for one end of the ridge and come off at the other end to avoid backtracking. I parked there to climb Bac an Eich, and the Strathfarrar munros were very clearly identifiable.

[CharlesT]

Quite doable from Inverchoran, as I did, but it is a long day and the track back from the bridge over the Orrin feels endless on the return journey. On the plus side, you'll see no-one and Glen Orrin is a delight. Pick a good, fine day though. It started to rain when I was just too far committed to turn back and continued for the whole trip. I couldn't have been wetter.

[gman]

I got there early and cycled in, walking in might not be too bad but the thought of walking back out would be hanging over you all day. I met a group going the opposite way on the ridge who had a mix up with car keys and asked me to drive one of their cars back to the start of the walk so you might get lucky with a lift.

[Arthurs Eat]

I got there early and cycled in, walking in might not be too bad but the thought of walking back out would be hanging over you all day. I met a group going the opposite way on the ridge who had a mix up with car keys and asked me to drive one of their cars back to the start of the walk so you might get lucky with a lift.

I met a woman who,was also waiting for the gate to open she asked if I would drive her to the other end then back to the start. After the wok she gave me a lif back to my car. Worked well.

[jupe1407]

We just dumped bikes at the end. The cycle back to the cars at the start point was absolute heaven after a long scorching day on the hills.

[Scraggygoat]

As ever numerous ways of doing these hills, with a car and a bike they are a relatively short day. Dropping the bikes at the Western end means you have a down-hill cycle back to your car at the end of the day. Cycling in all the way means you have no time pressure and can amble, sun-bath and laze as you see fit. Its also a good tactic for a Winter visit as you can make your choice based on the weather, don't have to plan/commit in advance to organise access and have no problems leaving the glen if late, a winter visit can be magic. Also if you cycle in early or late it feels as if you have the whole glen to yourself. If you drive in without a bike you have a certain amount of time pressure but are not too rushed, though if its a w/e in summer you will probably be able to thumb a lift back to your car, or organise in the car park with another group. The approach from the North mentioned above is longer and rougher, feeling more remote (by contrast the Srathfarrar side feels more like the Lakes), it takes a while to make the First top, however its the hills best side with the nice lochan filled corries.

For further entertainment cycle in with camping kit and undertake a multi-day 'Monar round' taking in the munros north and south of the loch.

[ScotFinn65]

Thanks to everyone for the fantastic options.

What a great resource this site is and so many helpful people.


Thank you!

[spiderwebb]

I did it from Inverchoran, and recommend it. Not least because you have no time constraints to get back in time, unlike everyone I met on the ridge itself, who all seemed to be in a rush

[rabthecairnterrier]

I did it from Inverchoran, and recommend it. Not least because you have no time constraints to get back in time, unlike everyone I met on the ridge itself, who all seemed to be in a rush

Likewise. My first ascent of the "4" in the mid nineties involved walking in from Inverchoran one evening, camping in Glen Orrin, a long leisurely day on the tops, back down the glen for another camp, then back out to Inverchoran. Got lucky with both the weather and the midges (none).