Gairich, Loch Quoich

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Gairich gives a fairly easy day out for Munro baggers; this isolated summit is a superb viewpoint. NOTE: Road to Kinloch Hourn currently closed at Loch Quoich Dam until mid 2019 - no vehicular access to start of this route.

Terrain

Fairly straightforward mountain walk with a path throughout; very boggy in parts. There is a short and very easy section of scrambling shortly before the summit.

Public Transport

No public transport to walk start.

Start

Loch Quoich dam. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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 Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 15km / 9.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 7 hours
Ascent: 871m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH070025

Summits Climbed

Munro: Gairich

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins at the Loch Quoich dam; there is parking just west of the dam on the left side of the road. The dam was completed in 1962 as part of one of the largest of the hydro-electric schemes which brought electricity to the Highlands for the first time; the dam is almost 320 metres long and 38 metres high, and feeds the Quoich power station further down the glen. Begin the walk by crossing the top of the dam. There is a good view of the day's objective, Gairich, across the waters of the loch, its craggy northeast face looking impressive.

Stage 2

Once across the dam, follow the rough and very boggy path which keeps close to the shore of the reservoir at first. After about a kilometre the path begins to climb away from the water, and passes the southern end of Lochan an-Fhigheadair. The going improves as the path crosses a low bealach on the moor before descending towards the forestry below the Bealach na Faire, where it joins another old path. Don't go through the gate into the trees, but turn right on a rough path which climbs uphill beside the forest fence; this soon joins the stalkers path up from Glen Kingie.

Photo - Paul Birrell

Stage 3

The path, now thankfully dry and easy to walk, ascends Druim na Gaid Salaich in a series of zigzags. It peters out to just a faint peaty trail once the ridge flattens out into an extensive plateau of Bac nam Foid. Continue towards Gairich to the west; the path becomes clearer once more at the foot of the steeper slopes.

Photo - Bill Copland

Stage 4

The stalkers path keeps well to the left of the ridge at first before zig-zagging sharply to the right to ascend to the foot of the steep nose. The original stalkers path cuts left again from here as shown on the OS maps, however a new path worn by Munro-baggers continues up the ridge and is the clearer of the two routes these days. The east ridge of Gairich is very steep higher up and there is one section of very simple scrambling up knobbly rock; the summit is reached not too far beyond. The large cairn is at 919 metres on a small plateau, making Gairich one of the smallest of the Munros. The isolated position makes it a superb viewpoint however, particularly for the vast waters of Loch Quoich and into Knoydart and the Glendessary mountains to the west. The return is by the same route.

Photo - Chris Eilbeck

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