Sgùrr Chòinnich and Sgùrr a'Chaorachain

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Summary

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.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Good tracks (use of a mountain bike) lead to the foot of the mountains. From here a stalkers path leads to the bealach. The traverse of the mountains is rocky and the descent pathless and steep. Crossing the Allt a'Chonais on the descent can be a problem in spate.

Public Transport

Inverness - Lochcarron bus passes along the A890.

Start

Achnashellach Forest car park, Craig. 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: 20.5km / 12.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 1251m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH039493

Summits Climbed

Munro: Sgùrr Chòinnich
Munro: Sgùrr a' Chaorachain

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (35)

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 and take the track opposite over the railway level crossing. The track bends left and heads up the glen. There are great views ahead of Sgùrr 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 Mòr 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 Sgùrr 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, and ignore the forestry track on the left. The track passes through a gate in a deer fence before reaching the top of a pass just to the left of a knoll. Sgùrr Chòinnich and Sgùrr a'Chaorachain can now be seen ahead at the far end of the flat, treeless valley. Continue on the track, now slightly downhill, ignore a track leading to a small hydro dam. The track soon runs close to the river passing a wire bridge.

Stage 3

Ignore a faint path on the right destined for Sgùrr na Feartaig, instead continuing until the track bends left and climbs. You can see the path the route is aiming for, smaking up the hill ahead slightly to the right in the distance. A small 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. The burn is usually easily crossed in normal water conditions - or there is a new wire bridge around 20-30m upstream.

Stage 4

The first part of the stalkers path uphill has been widened to a track creating a scar on this part of the landscape. However it soon narrows back to a path which ascends the west side of the glen of the Allt Leathad an Tobair, with good views of Sgùrr Chòinnich. It keeps high above the stream, to reach the wide Bealach Bhearnais.

Stage 5

Bear left as the path continues to climb up to the second, higher bealach where there is a short section of old wall. Turn left to begin the ascent of the Streangan nan Aon Pacan-deug ridge. This is broad at first but narrows and becomes more defined as height is gained. It is mostly grassy but has three rocky bands to negotiate, all are easy with rock steps.

Stage 6

The ridge leads directly up to the narrow summit ridge, with the small summit 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. The summit cairn is a tantalising 999 metres high.

Stage 7

From here, continue to the far end of the summit ridge and then descend the rocky ridge to the Bealach Coire Chòinnich. The path is eroded in places and there are views down to Loch Monar on the right. The ascent on the far side of the bealach is straightforward, rocky in a couple of places, leads to the large shelter cairn on the summit of Sgùrr a'Chaorachain. This is the higher of the two Munros at 1053 metres and on a clear day there are good views to the main Torridon summits to the north.

Stage 8

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 (northwest) down the relentlessly steep slope that is boggy in places – the reward being the views of Sgùrr Chòinnich to the left.

Stage 9

There's a great aerial view of the long walk back too. As the gradient eases aim directly north to eventually cross the Allt a'Chonais to regain the track before heading back down the glen.

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