Beinn a' Ghlò

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Summary

A shapely hill range rather than a single mountain, Beinn a' Ghlò has three Munro summits giving a strenuous day. The summits may be rounded, but the steep flanks and sculpted form of this great massif makes for a memorable outing.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Mostly good paths, with steep descents between the peaks and some rough ground. Some boggy terrain on descent.

Public Transport

Public transport to Blair Atholl, 4 km from the walk start.

Start

Car park (charge) near end of public section of Monzie road, near Loch Moraig. 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: 22km / 13.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 8 - 10 hours
Ascent: 1239m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN905671

Summits Climbed

Munro: Càrn Liath
Munro: Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain
Munro: Càrn nan Gabhar

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (116)

Stage 1

Park in the car park (charge) near the end of the public road signed for Monzie; it is just before the cattle grid (near Loch Moraig, though this is out of sight). Begin by continuing on foot along the tarmac for a short distance to a junction beside the forest plantation. Turn right here through the gate.

Stage 2

Head along the track, climbing gradually, for around 2km, until a grassy track forks off left. Take this, passing through a gate in a deer fence by a wooden shooting hut. When the grassy track curves left towards a gate in another deer fence, take the path off right towards the great dome of Càrn Liath which looms impressively ahead. There are pitched stones to help the path cross a boggy area, before the climb begins in earnest. This had become a very wide erosion scar visible from the A9 but has been repaired and is now an excellent pitched path.

Stage 3

After the initial section past the remains of grouse butts on the wall the path steepens considerably up the heathery slopes. The directness does at least ensure the first Munro of the day is reached fairly quickly; there's a large first cairn before the slope eases. The actual summit cairn is just beyond the trig point at 975m. There are excellent views all around, and the best part of the days walk now stretches ahead.

Stage 4

The path follows a delightful ridge, curving left at first, then right and then left again, bypassing the crest of the final stretch of ridge on the left side before reaching the bealach. A path descends SE from here, making possible a much shorter walk if only the one summit is required. To continue the main route, a steeper climb begins from the bealach up towards the second Munro.

Stage 5

The gradient eases somewhat as the ascent continues round the edge of a scooped corrie to reach the summit cairn of Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain, the central of Beinn a'Ghlò's three peaks. Finding the route to the next bealach requires care in poor visibility; you can either head over the minor summit E of point 1016m, then continue along the plateau edge until a safe descent, or you can follow a path from point 1016m that bypasses the ridge on the left side before petering out for the steeper descent of the eastern slope, joining a clearer path lower down.

Stage 6

The path heads down to the Bealach an Fhiodha, losing another 150m. Across the other side the path keeps left at first and later joins another path (coming in from the right) before making a rising traverse up onto the ridge of Càrn nan Gabhar - probably a tiring ascent by this point in the day. Once on the ridge the ascent is gentle but the ground becomes very stony. Bypass a prominent first cairn, and then the trig point, before finally reaching the well-built cairn on the true summit beyond.

Stage 7

Càrn nan Gabhar is the highest summit of Beinn a'Ghlò at 1129 metres, with fine views into the wilds around the head of Glen Tilt. The return route to Loch Moraig is long and tiring. Retrace your steps initially; you can then head over Airgiod Bheinn for the return though the far side is very steep and stony. Our route instead retraces steps back to the Bealach an Fhiodha and then heads down the east side of the burn leading south. Further down the path becomes increasingly boggy, and it is best to cross to a clearer path on the opposite side of the burn.

Stage 8

The path crosses the burn twice more before crossing the Allt na Beinn Bige and then picking up the start of a well-constructed path which contours round the base of Beinn Bheag. Going underfoot is excellent now. Ignore a path off right, continuing until a track is reached. Turn right along this, eventually passing through a gate. Ultimately the track rejoins the outward route near the hut below Carn Liath. Retrace your steps to return to the start.

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