Monadh Liath Munros: Càrn Dearg, Càrn Sgulain & A' Chailleach

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Summary

This long hillwalk includes ascents of three of the four Monadh Liath Munros. The hills themselves are undistinguished (particularly Càrn Sgulain), but Càrn Dearg has a feeling of remoteness and the long trek across the plateau from this peak to the others gives a feeling of great space, given favourable weather.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Rough going for much of the route; tracks lower down and featureless hills higher up. A line of fenceposts is an aid to navigating across the plateau.

Public Transport

None to start; buses and trains to Newtonmore 3km from start.

Start

End of minor road up Glen Banchor. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 24.5km / 15.25 miles
Time: 8 - 10 hours
Ascent: 946m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN693998

Summits Climbed

Munro: Càrn Dearg
Munro: Càrn Sgulain
Munro: A' Chailleach

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Walk Description

User reports (62)

Stage 1

Park at the end of the minor road leading from Newtonmore into Glen Banchor. This is an attractive, surprisingly wild little glen given its position close to the town. Continue on foot along the track up the glen, almost immediately crossing the bridge over the Allt a Chaorainn. The track leads past a plantation and passes close to the site of a deserted township. Just before the house and bridge over the Allt Fionndrigh, take the track which bends off to the right. This leads up into Gleann Fiondrigh, which lacks the open aspect of Glen Banchor, being hemmed in by the foothills of the Monadhliath.

Stage 2

Continue on the track up Gleann Fionndrigh until peters out into a boggy ATV track. Bear left from here to head down to a footbridge over the Allt Fhionndrigh. Follow the ATV track as it now heads southwest up towards a featureless bealach above the west side of the glen, becoming very boggy underfoot. On the wide bealach the route forks - ATV tracks swing both left and uphill to the right. Take the latter, then fork left part way up the slope.

Stage 3

The very boggy ATV tracks (which may not always be distinct) come closer to the Allt Ballach in upper Gleann Ballach, before rising gently up the eastern side of the glen. The summit of Càrn Dearg rises impressively atop a crag on the opposite side of the glen. As the head of Gleann Ballach is reached the route peters out towards the boggy bowl at the head of the glen.

Stage 4

Here a wide grassy ramp enables an easier climb to the southwest, avoiding coming close to any crags. As height is gained the going becomes dry at last, and an improving path heads up onto the ridge a short distance north of the summit of Càrn Dearg. Continue along the edge to reach the summit cairn, which at 945 metres is the highest of the Monadhliath; the position of the cairn on the edge of the steep drop to Gleann Ballach ensures it is also the finest peak of the range.

Stage 5

Retrace your steps briefly but then continue northwards onto the stony ground around the summit of Càrn Ban. North and west from here stretches the vast, empty and almost featureless plateau of the Monadhliath, as little visited as any ground in Britain. Our onward route is generally northeast, passing over the top of Càrn Ballach and then reaching Meall na Creughaich; all the time the ground underfoot becomes less stony and boggier. Another three kilometres from here, now heading eastwards, is Càrn Sgulain, the second of the day's Munros, and one of the most featureless on Sir Hugh's list.

Stage 6

Finding the route all across the plateau from Càrn Ban to this Munro would be difficult indeed in bad visibility but a line of old metal fenceposts offers guidance. There is little to detain you on Càrn Sgulain's summit, which could be either a small cairn or a larger one slightly further on, so return a short distance southwest to the last bealach, then bearing south-southwest to cross the Allt Cuil na Caillich.

Stage 7

This stream has cut a steep little 'v'-shaped valley into the plateau, so heading this way is necessary to avoid the steepest drop down to it. Once across the stream and above the steep bank beyond, continue easily southeast to the third Munro, A'Chailleach.

Stage 8

This is a popular destination in its own right for walkers staying at Newtonmore, and the summit is marked by a huge cairn (visible for miles around across Badenoch), with a windshelter set into one side. The descent route has the benefit of a rough path for much of the way. Begin by heading south; the ascent eventually becomes more gradually and crosses a boggy area. Eventually it descends southeast near a burn into the glen, with great views down towards Newtonmore.

Stage 9

Three-quarters of the way down you'll pass a little corrugated iron hut which offers very rough shelter on a wild day. Further down it is necessary to cross the Allt a'Chaorainn to reach a better path on the far side; this is usually possible using stones and boulders unless in spate (there's a footbridge marked on maps a short distance downstream). Follow the path down the far side, which almost immediately becomes a track. This leads directly down the glen, passing the forestry plantations at its foot to return directly to the start.

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