An Socach is one of the lesser Munros of the area, a rounded whaleback hill which can either be climbed quickly by this short route from Baddoch Farm, or via an alternative approach from Inverey and Glen Ey.
A mostly rounded hill with decent going underfoot. The walk along the ridge is stony.
None to start.
Parking on opposite side of A93 just south of Baddoch Farm track.
The walk begins where a track leaves the A93 near the edge of the plantations towards the head of Glen Clunie; there is (limited) parking a short distance further south on the opposite side of the road. The walk begins through the large gate on a landrover track; keep left at the fork and follow the track past an old farmhouse into the Baddoch Glen.
Beyond the farmhouse the track soon crosses a bridge over the Baddoch burn and continues up the other side. After another kilometre the track fords the Allt Coire Fhearneasg. Once across it, leave the track here, turning right onto a narrow path which initially follows the stream uphill. At a fork, keep left. When the slope eases the left path (if you picked it up) bears left away from the stream, aiming for a cairn on Socach Mòr ; the ascent to here is very gradual.
There is brief flatter, boggier section before the path - now clear once more - tackles the steeper slope ahead up the east ridge of the east Top of An Socach, making use of a zig-zag. Above this steeper section the gradients become very gentle.
Continue along the broad, stony ridge to the east Top of An Socach - or bypass most of the stones by following a faint path just to the south side. The ridge continues beyond, descending very slightly to a minor bealach.
The broad ridge - almost a plateau - continues west, with broad paths in places but seemingly none in others. After more minor bumps there is a final short climb to reach the windshelter cairn at the true western summit (there is another lower cairn nearby). The summit has a view of the main mass of the Cairngorms to the northwest, as well as Glas Tulaichean closer at hand.
The easiest return route is to retrace your steps.
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