Caisteal Abhail, via North Glen Sannox

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Summary

Caisteal Abhail is the most northerly of the Arran Corbetts, often known as the Sleeping Warrior due to its outline when seen from the Ayrshire coastline. This rocky mountain is a truly stunning viewpoint and has several granite tors on its summit, and a jagged cleft known as the Witches' Step cuts deeply into its east ridge. The easiest ascent is via the northwest ridge, as described here.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good paths lower down; some pathless going up to ridge then good ridgewalking to summit tors

Public Transport

Bus will stop on request.

Start

Carpark off A841 by North Sannox Bridge. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.5km / 6.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5.5 - 6.5 hours
Ascent: 838m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NR993467

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Caisteal Abhail

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (17)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the car park beside the bridge over the North Sannox Burn. Follow the excellent constructed path from the far right corner of the carpark. Keep left as the path forks by a footbridge (the right branch leads to a bench), and continue along the path, passing through a gate into the forest. The burn is particularly beautiful, with some fine waterfalls and inviting deep pools.

Stage 2

Eventually the top of the forest is reached and the path exits via a gate. The views open up to reveal the great ridge of Caisteal Abhail at the head of the glen, with the sharp cleft of the Witch's Step visible to the left.

Stage 3

Leave the path here and ford the burn - this is possible on stones in dry weather but could prove impassable if in spate. From here a path - faint at first - heads uphill, initially parallel to the forest edge. It can be very wet underfoot in places. Eventually the path aims slightly north of west, up the open moorland. The route becomes clearer as it swings left to head up onto Sail an Im.

Stage 4

Continue round the ridge and up to Creag Dubh, bypassing some granite outcrops to the right. The path continues to Càrn Mòr , and gives excellent views both towards Caisteal Abhail, and looking back over Lochranza.

Stage 5

As the ridge curves around towards Caisteal Abhail, the views open up to reveal the A Chir ridge and Beinn Tarsuinn. A steeper ascent follows, bypassing a tor on the right, before the magnificent peak of Cir Mhòr comes into view.

Stage 6

Continue past a tor - with a face profile if seen from the right angle. The huge summit tor now comes into view; it looks formidable but a bypass path leads past its left side.

Stage 7

The summit is then more easily reached by a simple scramble up the far side. The view over to Goatfell, Cir Mhòr and Beinn Tarsuinn can only be described as jaw-dropping.

Stage 8

The easiest return is by the route of ascent. The east ridge is a possibility for keen scramblers (see our Sannox Horseshoe route for a description of how to bypass the rockclimbing at the Witch's Step). The descent route preferred here, though, is a more direct one, heading north from a short distance beyond the summit, down a grassy slope with ocassional rocks, onto the ridge dividing Garbh Coire and Coire nan Ceum.

Stage 9

A tor is passed on the left side. Further down the ridge becomes covered with granite slabs and outcrops, but a descent route can be found weaving between them just left of the crest. Below the ridge very boggy terrain is reached; continue down to the right of the Garbh Coire burn to reach the confluence with the Coire nan Ceum burn. Cross the latter a short distance above the confluence (before it descends into a gorge), and follow a soggy path down the far side, rejoining the outward route and the well-made path at the edge of the forest.

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