Beinn a' Chlachair, Geal Chàrn & Creag Pitridh

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Summary

These three Munros are quite isolated in the wilds south of Loch Laggan. Beinn a'Chlachair is a massive whale-like ridge with steep sides, Geal Chàrn a sprawling mass and Creag Pitridh a pointed summit on its northern slopes.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good approach tracks, then steep, pathless mountains with both grassy and stony sections. Peat bog on the approach to Beinn a'Chlachair and extremely steep on the descent.

Public Transport

None.

Start

Parking in layby on A86 near Luiblea. 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: 26km / 16.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 8 - 10 hours
Ascent: 1275m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN432830

Summits Climbed

Munro: Beinn a' Chlachair
Munro: Geal Chàrn
Munro: Creag Pitridh

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (45)

Stage 1

Park in a layby on the A86 just east of the track leading over the bridge over the River Laggan. Follow the track; there is a branch off to the left just before the main track heads through the trees to some houses - take this branch to continue across the moor. There are soon great views to the right over a wide meander in the Abhain Guilbinn to the distant Grey Corries. Continue on the track for around a kilometre to a junction near some pine trees; turn sharp right here. The track now leads into a wild area with Beinn a'Chlachair ahead on the left and the distant peaks of the Aonach Beag range to its right. When the track forks, keep left, passing to the left of a small reservoir. Follow the track to the southern end of Lochan na h-Earba, crossing the bridge over its feeder stream. There is a stunning sandy beach on the left just beyond looking up the deep trench-like glen holding the two lochs.

Stage 2

The main track now runs along the head of the loch before swinging to the right in a loop. Look out for a small cairn that indicates the start of a grassy path which is a short-cut to the main stalkers path you now need to follow. Join this and follow it uphill; it soon runs alongside the Allt Coire Pitridh. The surface has been improved in places and the path is almost as good as a track. Pass some ruined shielings and higher up cross a feeder stream coming down from the east. About half a kilometre further up, leave this excellent path and cross the Allt Coire Pitridh, heading up the steep grassy bank on the far side. The ground ahead is boggy in places; make a bee-line across it to the south. Beyond climb the initially very steep slopes ahead, bearing a little to the right to reach the eastern rim of Coire Mòr Chlachair higher up. The corrie is quite a dramatic scoop out of the mountain and the summit of Beinn a'Chlachair comes into view across it.

Stage 3

Continue round the rim of the corrie, passing to the left (or over) a rocky wart prominent in some distant views. The ground is a mixture of loose stones and grassy patches and the slope becomes easier as it finally merges into the spacious plateau of Beinn a'Chlachair. The summit is at the far side of the corrie; there is briefly a path before the final stony slopes are reached leading to the large cairn with a windshelter on the northwest side. At 1087 metres this is the highest of the three Munros and the view is probably the most extensive. Chno Dearg is the nearest prominent peak to the west, backed by the impressive Easains and the Grey Corries. South is the very remote Aonach Beag range whilst to the east are the two peaks making up the rest of the days walk - Geal Chàrn looks (and is!) a long way from here. Head back down the stony slope and then continue across the plateau towards it - there is a path on the grassy sections though it is lost on the stones.

Stage 4

The plateau ends abruptly in cliffs above Loch a'Bhealaich Leamhain. The descent is to the north, either directly down the corner of the slopes towards the Bhealach Leamhain - which is very steep and rocky, requiring some scrambling and route finding, or a couple of hundred metres further west where the descent to the north is just as steep but grassier. If taking this latter option, once easier ground is reached you can traverse to the right to meet the stalkers path from the bealach rather than continuing directly down over the bogs. Follow the path to the left to reach the stalkers path junction of Coire Pitridh.

Stage 5

Here turn right to trace the excellent path heading north over the col between Creag Pitridh and Geal Chàrn. Stay on this path for around half a kilometre until it begins to traverse the slopes and a convenient place is reached to leave it and head directly for Geal Chàrn. The slopes are easy at first with a few stony sections higher up. There are a couple of false summits - Geal Chàrn seems further than might be expected - but eventually the true summit comes into view ahead. This has its own name - Mullach Coire an Iubhair - and consists of a small stony cone topped with a very well-built cairn (and a trig point behind); a fine summit for such a sprawling mountain. The best parts of the view are back to Beinn a'Chlachair and the more distant view east towards the Cairngorms. Return back along the ridge before diverting to the right to reach the bealach below Creag Pitridh. This peak looks tiny compared to its mighty neighbours - a mere bump on the slopes of Geal Chàrn, but on closer acquaintance it begins to look very steep.

Stage 6

At the bealach the stalkers path is reached once more; cross over it. Luckily there is a path up Creag Pitridh, making the ascent much more straightforward; this aims straight for the top at first before dog-legging left and then finally to the right across quartzite rocks to the summit. Although only 924 metres it has perhaps the most beautiful view of the three Munros, with the two Lochan na h-Earba and Loch Laggan prominent. For the descent, follow a path at first to the west which leads down the steeper upper section. Once the flatter shoulder is reached bear left off the ridge to make a long descent of straightforward, mostly grassy slopes. Aim for the confluence where the stream from the bealach meets the Allt Coire Pitridh - this avoids boggy ground further east. At the confluence the stalkers path from the outward route is joined. Turn right along this and retrace your steps all the way back to the start.

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