Sgòr Gaoith, from Glen Feshie

Summary

Sgòr Gaoith gives a superb, fairly short hillwalk when approached from Glen Feshie. The ascent passes through some magnificent pinewoods before climbing the bare upper slopes to reach a vast plateau. The summit is extremely dramatic perched on the very edge of the vast broken crags that plunge down to Loch Einich; the views are superb.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Excellent constructed approach path; terrain higher up is mostly fairly easy going on short moss, but difficult navigation in poor visibility. Some boulders on the descent via the Geal Chàrn ridge, which is pathless; this can be avoided by instead returning the same way.

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.

Getting there

Start

By Allt Ruadh bridge, east side of Glen Feshie.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NH852012

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 913m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Munro: Sgòr Gaoith

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Walk Description

User reports (70)

Stage 1

Take the road up the east side of Glen Feshie (signed Achlean); just before the bridge over the Allt Ruadh turn left on a track; there is a parking area about fifty metres off the road. The walk begins by following this track to the east; it passes through a plantation at first, then giving way to birch trees and passing a large boulder.

Stage 2

Just beyond here the track forks; the right branch heads down to cross the burn. The correct route is to take the left fork, a much improved ascending footpath. This excellent path climbs high above the steep cleft of the Allt Ruadh, clothed with magnificent mature pinewoods. As height is gained there are also fine views back over Badenoch to the rolling Munros of the Monadhliath.

Stage 3

Shortly before reaching the Allt nam Bo, the path forks again - this time ignore the left branch and stay on the main (right) path. This descends slightly to cross the burn. The route leaves the old pinewoods behind now but despite the removal of the fences the reduction in deer numbers has enabled regeneration to take place; there are young pines all along the path, with some beginning to grow much higher up the hillsides. Continue on the well built path, crossing the Allt Coire na Cloiche and then traversing for a long distance to reach the Allt a'Chrom Alltain.

Stage 4

Continue by the burn briefly before before crossing it and ascending southeast up the open slopes. The well-made path is left behind now - the ascent here is badly eroded. The path narrows on the flat shoulder at around 810 metres; soon it bends right to ascend across the slope to the bealach between Sgòr Gaoith and Carn Bàn Mòr; one short section of path is very wet (this can be bypassed and shortcut by ascending ahead on pathless ground to rejoin the route on the plateau N of the bealach). The bealach is just a slight dip in a vast plateau that stretches for miles, south to the Munro of Mullach Clach a'Blair and then eastwards across the flat, high altitude bogs of the Moine Mhor. The route continues on a path leading NNE. It is worth heading over to the eastern edge of the plateau for the views along the crags on the approach to the sharply peaked summit of Sgòr Gaoith.

Stage 5

The summit of Sgòr Gaoith, a lofty 1118 metres, has a stunningly dramatic location. It is perched right on the edge of the huge sweep of broken crags, where the Feshie plateau plunges precipitously down to lonely Loch Einich. Across the far side is the huge bulk of Braeriach, its flanks scooped with a whole series of corries. In winter conditions great care is needed as the edge is usually heavily corniced; in anything less than perfect visibility it would be all too easy to fall through the snow and down the cliffs.

Stage 6

Much the easiest descent route is to retrace your steps. To vary the route, unless you've decided on a very long walk taking in Mullach Clach a'Bhlàir (in which case it is better to start the walk at Achlean and use the stalkers path to reach the plateau just south of Càrn Ban Mòr ), a good alternative descent is to head along the Meall Buidhe - Geal Chàrn ridge. Descend to the next wide bealach to the north; Sgoran Dubh Mòr, which was once a Munro itself. Now a Top, it can easily be included by a short detour from here. Otherwise descend the spongey slopes to the west, crossing or skirting around a minor bump (978 metres) to ascend Meall Buidhe beyond.

Stage 7

This is a little rockier than the main plateau, with one or two short sections over boulders; the cairn is at the far end. Continue across the next bealach, skirting another small knoll; to reach the col beyond there's a brief steep descent. Climb once more to Geal Chàrn. This was also once a Munro, at 920m, but like Sgoran Dubh Mòr was demoted to the status of a Top as the separation from Sgòr Gaoith was too slight. From Geal Chàrn's summit, continue in the same direction for about three hundred metres before turning sharp left and descending southwest down the open, largely pathless heathery slopes. The outward path is gained near the Allt Coire na Cloiche; turn right down it and retrace the outward route through the pinewoods to return to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

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