Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a'Chaorachain

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The traverse of these two Munros gives an excellent hillwalk; an enjoyable ridge links the two summits at a high level though the approach is fairly long.

Terrain

Good tracks lead to the foot of the mountains, a stalkers path to the bealach and a fairly straightforward if slightly rocky traverse over the mountains. Crossing the Allt a'Chonais can be a problem in spate.

Public Transport

Inverness - Lochcarron bus passes along the A890.

Start

Achnashellach Forest car park, Craig. 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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Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 20km / 12.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 1230m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH039493

Summits Climbed

Munro: Sgurr Choinnich
Munro: Sgurr a' Chaorachain

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at Achnashellach Forest car park, which is signed on the north side of the road at Craig. Walk back down cross the road, following the track opposite across the railway level crossing. The track bends left and heads up the glen. There are great views ahead of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean. After about a kilometre the track bends right and crosses a bridge over the River Carron. Once across the river the track soon forks; take the left fork, which begins a long climb above the (unseen) Sloc Mor gorge.

Stage 2

As height is gained, a terrific view opens up behind of the Coulin peaks. First to appear is Fuar Tholl on the left, later joined by Sgorr Ruadh and Beinn Liath Mhor. After just over a kilometre another forestry track goes off to the right - ignore this and keep to the main track, with views ahead of the Allt a Chonais gorge. Further on another track goes off right, this time signed for the 'Allt a'Chonais pinewood'; again continue ahead.

Stage 3

The track passes through a gate in a deer fence before reaching the top of a pass just to the left of a knoll. For the first time, Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a'Chaorachain can be seen ahead at the far end of the flat, treeless valley that now stretches ahead. Continue on the track, now slightly downhill, which soon comes close to the river. Ignore the path leading to a bridge, which is destined for Sgurr na Feartaig, instead continuing on the track for another couple of kilometres until the track bends left and ascends slightly. A cairn marks where a stalkers path turns off here on the right; take this turning, which in a short distance leads down to the Allt a'Chonais.

Stage 4

There are the remains of a wire bridge across the Allt a'Chonais at this point but it is no longer useable (the second bridge shown on maps where the burn flows through a gorge downstream is an unreliable wire bridge). The burn is easily crossed in normal water conditions but could be dangerous or even impossible to cross in spate. This stalkers path is boggy in places but fairly clear as it ascends the west side of the glen of the Allt Leathad an Tobair, with good views of Sgurr Choinnich. It keeps high above the stream, to reach the wide Bealach Bhearnais.

Stage 5

The path continues to climb up to the second, higher bealach before beginning an ascent of the na Aon Pacan-deug ridge. This is broad at first but narrows and becomes very well defined as height is gained. It is mostly grassy but has a couple of rocky steps on the way up to the summit ridge. The ridge leads directly to the narrow summit ridge, with the cairn right on the edge of the crags. The summit ridge is straight and level apart from a brief dip and has a good view over the void of Pollan Buidhe.

Stage 6

The summit cairn is a tantalising 999 metres high. From here, continue to the far end of the summit ridge and then descend the rocky ridge which descends to the Bealach Coire Choinnich. The ascent on the far side is also rocky, but leads to the trig point on the summit of Sgurr a'Chaorachain. This is the higher of the two Munros at 1053 metres. Unless returning the same way or continuing to Maoile Lunndaidh, head north from the summit, down a grassy ridge for about 700 metres before bearing left down steep slopes. The Allt a'Chonais must again be crossed to regain the track and then head back down the glen.

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