The Loch Mullardoch Munros

Summary

This fine group of Munros make for a spectacular ridge-walk in an extremely remote part of the Highlands. The tiring walk back along the north side of Loch Mullardoch completes an extremely long day.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

The ascent to Càrn nan Gobhar is rough and pathless. The ridge walk itself is grassy for some sections giving fast walking but there are also some steep rocky ascents and descents and a little very mild scrambling. The long return walk along Loch Mullardoch is mostly on a narrow, undulating path and makes an exhausting end to the walk. There is no bridge over the Allt Taige, which is often impassable after rains or snowmelt. This burns could be a trap, so if unsure, it may be better to reverse the route so that this river is reached earlier. It is possible to shorten the walk by chartering a boat up Loch Mullardoch to the foot of An Socach and then walking back along the ridge.

Deer Stalking information

Land south of main An Socach-An Riabhachan-Sgurr na Lapaich-Carn nan Gobhar ridge (and east of Meall a'Chaisg): East Benula and Glencannich Estates. Stalking between Aug and 20 Oct. No stalking on Sundays. Access via the main paths and ridges, avoiding cutting down through Coire Socrach, is always OK. If further information is needed, please phone 01456 415339.

Getting there

Start

Car park before Mullardoch Dam.

Public Transport

None.

Start Grid Ref

NH220315

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 29.2km / 18.25 miles
Time: 11 - 14 hours
Ascent: 1820m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Munro: Càrn nan Gobhar
Munro: Sgùrr na Lapaich
Munro: An Riabhachan
Munro: An Socach

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Walk Description

User reports (44)

Stage 1

Take the minor road leading to the north end of the Loch Mullardoch dam. There is a small car park on the right just before reaching the dam. Begin by heading up and through the gate at the end of the road and then follow the track beyond, keeping above the ugly tide mark of the reservoir. The monument on the left commemorates the 'Chisholm stone' - the traditional gathering place of the glen - now submerged beneath the waters of the loch. The track has been improved for a hydro scheme - follow it on an undulating course to reach a hydro powerhouse and then cross the bridge over the Allt Mullardoch beyond. On the far side leave the track to head directly northwest towards Mullach na Maoile.

Stage 2

The climb soon becomes steep up a slope of heather and bracken; the easiest line is between two tiny streambeds. From the flat top of the Mullach na Maoile, there is a slight dip before the final long stony rise to Càrn nan Gobhar, the first Munro of the day. There are two summits, the first with a very well-built cairn, whilst the second is the true summit, across a slight depression. The best views are to the west, looking across to the lochans, corries and ridges of Sgùrr na Lapaich.

Stage 3

Descend the stone ridge to the Bealach na Cloiche Duibhe (Pass of the Black Rock). Sgùrr na Lapaich can look intimidating from here; the route of ascent is up the facing ridge, grassy lower down but rocky high up. Follow the narrow path up it; this keeps just to the left of the true ridge line, at one point following a strange lateral grassy ridge caused by a landslip; the ascent does cross a few short sections of boulders but avoids any scrambling. The ridge ends right by the summit, marked by a large wind-shelter cairn containing a trig point. The view is both extensive and dramatic, particularly back across the cliffs to Loch Tuill Bhearnach, whilst the next objective, the great ridged mountain of An Riabhachan, looks impressive to the west. Descend the fairly grassy ridge southwest to the Bealach Toll an Lochain.

Stage 4

The bealach is a low one at 820 metres so the re-ascent to An Riabhachan is considerable. A path leads up the first broad slope. This leads up to a fine, narrow grassy ridge that makes for a delightful ascent. The views back of the steep, broken slopes of Sgùrr na Lapaich towering over Loch Mòr are very impressive, whilst the ridge itself maintains interest in the route ahead. The climb ends when the ridge levels out at 1120 metres. It now widens but is grassy and the almost level walk along to the summit cairn of An Riabhachan is easy and enjoyable if the weather is good.

Stage 5

The well-built summit cairn has very steep slopes dropping down to the left and a glimpse of Loch Mullardoch, with the Càrn Eige range beyond it, but it is to the north that the view excels. Most of Loch Monar can be seen (rather spoiled by the water extraction tide-mark around it) whilst beyond and to the northwest rise a fantastic array of peaks stretching away into Torridon. Continue along the almost level ridge to the cairned summit at 1080 metres where the main ridge turns sharply left. Follow the path that continues west, soon descending very steeply to a lower section of ridge. The next section of this ridge is very narrow but easy enough; it then climbs slightly to a minor summit (which can be avoided on the left).

Stage 6

The ridge now descends southwest, the path on the crest avoiding the slabby blocks off to the right. There is then a second steep section of descent (easy scrambling) to reach the Bealach a'Bholla. An Socach looks impressive from here, the east top appearing as a steep pyramid crowning the ridge ahead (and giving the mountain its name). Follow the path directly up the ridge; there is one rocky step on the path but this can be easily avoided to the right. From the east top the ridge leads easily on to the main summit with a tumbledown windshelter cairn housing a trig point. An Socach is one of the remotest Munros in Scotland and its central position in the Northwest Highlands makes it a fabulous viewpoint. The coast and Skye look close in good visibility, whilst Torridon and the Monar peaks look fabulous. Nearer at hand there are good views across the dramatic eastern corrie towards Loch Mullardoch.

Stage 7

For the descent, follow the ridge along the edge of the corrie. After a couple of kilometres the descent steepens before reaching the start of the flat ridge stretching east to Meall Bac a' Chul-dhoire. This final section of ridge is riven by eroded peat hags and rather than continue across them at, it is probably best to bear left across the bogs to reach the nearby Allt Coire a' Mhaim. Cross this to pick up faint path down the far side. The path soon improves (though boggy in places) and leads down past several attractive waterfalls to approach close to the shores of Loch Mullardoch. Cross the Allt Socrach bridge on the left before following an initially faint path right almost to the tide-mark.

Stage 8

You are now faced with a very long and tiring walk back to the start. The path improves as it traverses across the very steep grassy slopes which plunge down to the loch. At several points care is needed as the drop onto the stony tide-mark is steep and the path is eroded in parts. After almost four kilometres of this undulating path the slope eases; the path now fades out. A kilometre further the foot of the Allt Taige is reached. There is no bridge over this stream and it could be a dangerous trap if the water is high (if in doubt, you should reverse the route so as to cross the Taige early in the day). The easiest place to cross is usually just above the outflow into the loch. On the far side, continue above the loch to reach a pinewood; pass just above this and continue traversing to reach the bridge over the Allt Mullardoch crossed earlier in the day. Now you simply have to follow the undulating, muddy track back to the start.

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