An Socach and Mullach na Dheiragain from the south

[haringit]

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

21.5 miles. The longest walk in a few years.
I set off from the layby on the A87 and walked the road to the An Caorann Mor track to Glen Affric. The drive up meant starting the walk quite late in the morning, 10.45 to be precise. The sun was shining and all was looking good. I chose this route because it's shorter by a few miles than the route from the east.

Loch Cluannie

An Caorann Mor

The track turns into path a few miles on, and so began my boggy, gazzelle style walk to Glen Affric. Two steps forward, three to the side and juuump! That was the good bits.

Ciste Dhubh

Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan

Was relieved when Alltbeithe Bothy eventually came into view. Crossed the bouncy bridge and found the footpath behind the bothy that climbs upto Coire na Cloiche.

Allt na Faing

Looking back to An Caoranna Mor

The climb to bealach wasn't so bad even in the sunshine although I had used up pretty much all of my water. Not to worry though, i'm missing out Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan and cutting down into Coire nan Dearcag where I should be able to find some good water. An Socach first. I climbed a little and dumped my rucksack out of view. Straight forward walk to the top.

An Socach's summit with M na D beyond.

I wasn't sure at which point to descend into the corrie for Mullach na Dheiragain from the bealach, had peered over the edge but it looked too dangerous. I'd decided to ascend over Stob Coire na Cloiche and to have another look for a route down.

Mullach na Dheiragain

The corrie wall

I didn't get very far, I met another walker on the way down, we stopped for a chat and he
recommended trying a descent pretty much where we stood. He was bang on. I'd no problems getting down from this ridge point and was soon making my way accross the corrie basin.
Some high cloud had moved in, which I didn't mind too much. Had my lunch and topped up with some fresh, spring water then headed up for the ridge on the other side of the corrie. An undulating walk over the sub-top Carn na Cion Dhu. M na D still looked miles off.

M na D, still a bit to go!

On the summit - at last!

Mullach Fraoch-choire and A'Chrailaig

Mam Sodhail and Carn Eige.

My sense of direction was shot. Not sure if these were the Glen Shiel hills, I could've sworn I was looking north.
Returned by the same route.

Decided it was the SW view, but not so sure. Update: it's the Glen Carron and Torridon hills. My original sense of direction was correct. It is a north view.

[Bruno]

My climbing partner and I did this on the 3rd June of this year, except that we did Ceathreamhnan instead of Deiragain. I left Glasgow at 05.15 am and picked her up in Dunblane at 06.00am. We walked in as you did , did the hills and walked out again, same day - finally home in Glasgow at 23.45 pm .
A long day - tho` incredibly satisfying.
Didn`t even have time for a beer at the Clunie Inn!!
Well done friend!!

[haringit]

My climbing partner and I did this on the 3rd June of this year, except that we did Ceathreamhnan instead of Deiragain. I left Glasgow at 05.15 am and picked her up in Dunblane at 06.00am. We walked in as you did , did the hills and walked out again, same day - finally home in Glasgow at 23.45 pm .
A long day - tho` incredibly satisfying.
Didn`t even have time for a beer at the Clunie Inn!!
Well done friend!!

Hahaha, me neither, it did seriously cross my mind though. Once i had my socks off, that was it.

[Johnny Corbett]

I've still got An Socach to do but not sure to do this route or cycle in from Glen Affric. Don't fancy the boggy section though.

[Bruno]

It is boggy - it`s at its very worst after the watershed in An Caorunn Mhor descending to Alltbeithe, where the path becomes several, all equally boggy. Stay as high as you can ( in the altitude sense of the word!! ) on the Mullach Fraoch Choire side and eventually you pick up the track to the wee suspension bridge. In my view the biggest problem is knowing you have to renegotiate this on the walkout - and its all uphill...... !!!!