Càrn Gorm, Meall Garbh, Càrn Mairg & Creag Mhòr

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Summary

These four Munros on the north side of Glen Lyon lie on a mostly very broad and undulating ridge. With excellent views over the glen to the Lawers range, and over Loch Rannoch, the group give a very satisfying round on a clear day.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Track and then mountain path, fence posts aid navigation in poor weather or snow.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Layby 1km west of Invervar, just beyond end of clearway. 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: 19.5km / 12 miles
Time (summer conditions): 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 1330m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN655478

Summits Climbed

Munro: Càrn Gorm
Munro: Meall Garbh
Munro: Càrn Mairg
Munro: Creag Mhòr

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (130)

Stage 1

A long history of access issues and problems - both in and out of the stag stalking season - have given these Munros the reputation of being one of the least friendly in Scotland for hillwalkers. The car park in Invervar is now closed, and the clearway order means that the nearest parking is just over 1km west of the village at a layby on the south side of the road, just beyond the clearway signs. Begin by heading along the road back to Invervar, then turning through through a gate in the village signed for the Lint Mill and to the Hill. Follow the marker posts to pass to the right of the circular mill building, soon joining a track. Turn left along the track through the woods. This soon leads through a gate and continues through a felled area.

Stage 2

At the top of the felled area pass through another gate to reach a large new hydro track. Do not follow this, instead turning left to follow the old track to the right of the deer fence. Further on this leads back onto a hydro track and crosses a bridge. Keep along the track until you see a rickety metal bridge over the burn down to the left - don't head for the gate, instead rounding the end of the fence and then crossing the bridge. Continue on the path up the far side of the burn around the edge of the forestry.

Stage 3

The path now swings left to begin the ascent proper, passing a small shieling and keeping to the right of the edge of the forest at first and then heading up the long but easy flank of Càrn Gorm, with good views back down Glen Lyon. The route steepens before reaching a small cairn on Creag Ghlas; from here the gradient relents before the final pull up towards the summit. There are two cairns - the first has a stunning view up Glen Lyon flanked by all its ranges, whilst the second - the true summit - has a broken trig point and a view over Loch Rannoch.

Stage 4

Descend northwards, eventually curving ENE to reach a bealach at 851m at the foot of An Sgorr - a peak which looks rocky and impressive from down the Invervar glen. As it lacks Munro status most walkers bypass this peak by a path on its NW flank to reach a lower bealach beyond.

Stage 5

Continue northeast up the open slope towards Meall Garbh; part way up a line of fenceposts coming up from the NW are joined. There are superb views in that direction, looking across Rannoch Moor and the upper part of Loch Rannoch to the Glen Coe and Ben Nevis ranges.

Stage 6

The fence posts which lead in a ENE direction to reach the summit of Meall Garbh. The summit is marked by a cairn 'decorated' with many fence posts. Schiehallion looks impressive, towering to the northeast. Continue east following a fainter line of fence posts (this cuts of the corner which is made if you follow the more distinct line of fence posts which is useful to do in very poor weather conditions when the path and other features cannot be made out) to a wide col; beyond this follow the fence posts to the flat and extensive summit of Meal a' Bharr (1004m).

Stage 7

The route continues east across almost flat ground; the rocky flank of Càrn Mairg can be seen on the right. Continue east, now ascending, until the ridge narrows, becoming rockier as it leads southeast to reach the summit of Càrn Mairg - the highest of the range at 1041m. It is worth exploring the small tor beyond which has good views down Glen Lyon and across to the Ben Lawers range. When leaving the summit care is needed to avoid the crags and steep section by heading east at first until gentler terrain is reached.

Stage 8

Follow a faint path southeast and then south down to the next bealach. From here the path cllimbs steadily south to the summit ridge of Meall na Aighean (also often known as Creag Mhor). The actual summit is a small tor about 0.5 km east along the summit plateau. The summit cairn offers contrasting views, with the great arc of mountains round the north, west and southern horizons relenting to more rolling countryside to the east.

Stage 9

On leaving the summit retrace your steps briefly; you can either head over the west top or bypass it on the north side to begin the descent down the long ridge on the south side of the Allt Coire a'Chearcaill. There is a clear path down this ridge which has great views of Glen Lyon ahead, and it is not so steep that your feet are battered all the way down, making for a fine descent. Just before the ground steepens, cross a stalkers' path and continue straight ahead down the crest of the ridge. Eventually this path leads down to the hydro track almost opposite the gate used on the ascent. Go through this gate and retrace your steps back to the start.

Route Profile

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