An Socach (Affric) well worth the long walk in

[Caleb Wright]

We opted to follow the SMC book and do An Socach as a single munro, accepting a very long walk in, which in any case I really enjoy. Knowing that in distance this might be the longest munro walk we had done we set off very early and parked at the car park at the far end of the road into Glen Affric. The car park was pretty empty accept for some midges (thankfully not too bad). We turned left out of the car park and then followed the track left over the water connecting Loch Affric and Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin. The track was excellent with lovely woodland and intermittent views of Loch Affric and Sgurr na Lapaich beyond.

Nice views for an early start

Sgurr na Lapaich

Foxgloves by the track

Good track on the south side of Loch Affric

The track eventually comes to the end of Loch Affric and heads downhill to meet the River Affric, here we took the track by Athnamulloch and went over the good bridge and passed another cottage. The track became a bit more rocky but was still good. We followed the track on for a good distance passing where the track from the north side of the Loch comes in and passing Loch an Fheadain. Eventually we came to the borders of the National Trust West Affric Estate, this area had an incredibly remote feeling to it. We turned off by the sign and before the bridge over the Allt Coire Ghaidheil and followed a good path initially slightly steeply up by the side of the burn and into the coire. It was here we saw the only other two walkers of the day! The path up the coire was delightful, not too boggy and at a nice angle lifting us into Coire Ghaidheil. Even the ascent at the top of the coire to the bealach wasn't too steep, although the path deteriorated slightly.

The western edge of Loch Affric

Time to turn uphill

Towards Kintail

Ascending Coire Ghadheil

Path up to bealach

At Bealach Coire Ghaidheil the path meets a cross roads. To the right was an interesting looking path heading up towards Mam Sodhail, straight on the path headed into the incredibly remote Gleann a' Choilich and down to Loch Mullardoch. Our path to the left headed initially quite steeply up to a 906 meter top before a fun ridge walk to An Socach itself. The munro has a splendid feel of isolation about it but is over shadowed somewhat by its large peaky neighbour Sgurr nan Ceathramhnan. It was however an excellent viewpoint with a wide range of Kintail munros on show, including the ones we had completed in the spring (Ciste Dubh, Sgurr nan Conbhairean and Sail Chaorainn). In the distance the Torridon mountains could be seen and closer at hand (but still a distance) the very remote Mullach na Dheiragain. Whilst it became slightly overcast and cool while we were on top, the visibility was good. I look forward to returning to this area to bag the bigger munros, but it will have to be at a quicker pace or stopping at the hostel overnight!

Towards Ciste Dubh

Kintail Munros

Towards Mam Sodhail

Approaching the summit

Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan from An Socach

On the summit

Remote Mullach na Dheiragain

Distant hills

We decided to retrace our steps for the walk back. There were good views now eastwards towards Carn Eighe and Mam Sodhail. The return down Coire Ghadheil was good, except the feet were starting to feel it and the sun was out in full heat. As we approached the junction with the main Affric track we suffered our first cleg attack. We had a brief gap of relief at the bridge over the river Affric where we were treated to lovely views of Beinn Fhada in far distance before the trudge back on the north side of the Loch, our pace quickening despite our tiredness as we under constant cleg attack! Finally we made it back to the car park and in spite of a buggy end we had enjoyed an excellent and remote day out.

Mam Sodhail and Carn Eige from An Socach

Back to the bealach

Heading back down

Lovely flower on the way down, possible orchid?

Towards distant Beinn Fhada

Lovely Loch Affric in the sun

I look forward to my next Glen Affric adventure