Tom a' Chòinich and Toll Creagach, Glen Affric

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These are the easiest of the Munros to reach from Glen Affric, but still a substantial walk. The two peaks are contrasting in character; Toll Creagach is a very rounded mountain with mossy upper slopes, but Tom a' Chòinich is a more shapely peak with rocky ridges.

Terrain

The approach up the glen is boggy, with two burn crossings which would present problems in spate. Higher up is a mix of paths on rocky ridges, and pathless mossy slopes.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Car park (charge) around 200m east of Chisholme Bridge. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Deer Stalking information

Land south of Tom a'Choinich-Toll Creagach ridge and east of Tom a'Choinich-Creag na h-Inghinn ridge (including approach via lower Gleann nam Fiadh) managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. No stalking issues.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There's a new car park around 200m east of Chisholme Bridge near the head of Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin. From here a constructed path heads into the woods, soon joining the hydro track up the east side of the Abhainn Gleann nam Fiadh; turn right up this. There are some fine old Scots pines close by the course of the burn and good views back over the Loch, which is actually a reservoir created as part of the 1960s hydroelectric developments.

Stage 2

After just over two kilometres another track joins in from the right; follow the main track which curves round to the left. There are grand views of Toll a' Creagach ahead, whilst the steep rocky slopes on the right side are those of Beinn Eun, a shoulder of Toll Creagach. The track becomes a very boggy path as it continues up the glen. Two burns coming down from the right - Allt a' Choire Odhair and then the Allt Toll Easa - both need to be crossed, and could be impassable in spate.

Stage 3

After crossing the Allt Toll Easa, turn right onto a stalkers path that climbs up parallel to the west bank of the burn, giving views over some fine waterslides. Higher up the path zigzags briefly before the gradient eases as the hanging-valley upper section of the stream is reached. Here the path forks again; you can continue ahead by the burn right up to the bealach, but the better route turns left to follow the more obvious path up onto the Creag na h-Inghinn ridge. The ridge gives a rockier, steeper ascent but there are no real difficulties.

Stage 4

Eventually the gradient eases and the route continues above the steep eastern corrie to reach the large summit cairn of Tom a' Chòinich. The views are excellent - and strongly contrasting between the view west along the ridge to the mountainous ground of Càrn Eige and its neighbours, and east out to the much more rounded Toll Creagach and the Firths of the east coast beyond.

Stage 5

A path leads down the initially steep and rocky east ridge to reach the Bealach Toll Easa at 872m. The photo shows the view looking back up the ridge to Tom a' Chòinich.

Stage 6

The climb on the far side is much more gentle, leading up to the rounded mossy slopes of point 951m. The route continues across a slight dip before the final ascent to the summit of Toll Creagach.

Stage 7

There is a well-built summit cairn, and a trig point that appears to be slightly lower just beyond. The trig gives the best viewpoint though, looking down over Loch Mullardoch and out east towards the Beauly and Moray Firths.

Stage 8

The easiest descent is to head directly southwards. Keep to the west of the slight swelling of Beinn Eun as the slopes below it are very steep, instead descending more easily to return to Gleann nam Fiadh and regain the outward path. Have one last look up the glen to Tom a'Chòinich before turning left and continuing back to the start.

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