Sgùrr Mòr and the eastern Fannichs

Summary

The main eastern range of the Fannichs is a magnificent ridge-walk taking in four Munros, including the highest, shapely Sgùrr Mòr. The price to be paid however is the rugged and boggy approach across the moors - and, more especially, the long return walk from An Coileachan.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

A rather wet approach leads to some excellent ridgewalking higher up, with some steep ground. The descent from the fourth Munro is often pathless, very boggy and very long.

Deer Stalking information

South of main ridge (An Coileachan-Sgurr Mor-Sgurr nan Clach Geala-bealach at NH175706): Fannich Estate. Stalking between early Sept and 20 Oct. No stalking on Sundays. Access to and from the main ridge by the south ridge of Meall Gorm (over Creag a’Choire Riabhaich) or the south-east ridge of An Coileachan (via Pt 797m) is always OK. If further information is needed, please phone 01997 414318.

Getting there

Start

Torrandhu bridge on the A835.

Public Transport

Regular bus service between Ullapool and Inverness.

Start Grid Ref

NH278742

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 24.75km / 15.5 miles
Time: 9 - 11 hours
Ascent: 1435m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Munro: Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich
Munro: Sgùrr Mòr
Munro: Meall Gorm
Munro: An Coileachan

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Walk Description

User reports (41)

Stage 1

Park in the small parking area just north of Torrandhu bridge on the A835. There is a Met Office weather station here. Rather than head up beside the boggy burn, a signpost instead points to a start which leads briefly east along the road. Cross the bridge and then take a right turn onto a track into the forestry. After 2.5km turn right downhill, emerging from the trees and crossing a bridge over Abhainn an Torrain Dubh. On the far side the track continues as a rough ATV track, which is boggy and intermittent in places. It does, however, assist with the ascent up towards Creag Dubh Fannaich.

Stage 2

When the ATV track swings left at around 560m leave it and continue on a faint path. This peters out; continue to reach the minor summit of Creag Dhubh Fannaich, marked by a small cairn; the view extends back over Loch Glascarnoch, whilst the final two Munros on today's route look impressive above lochan-filled corries. Continue across a broad bealach and begin the ascent of Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich itself up a mixture of grass and boulders. The cairn on the summit, the first Munro of the day at 953 metres, is towards the western end of the small plateau, by some rocky outcrops. A good view opens out westwards over Loch a'Mhadaidh, with the prominent dome-like summit of Sgùrr Mòr towering to its left.

Stage 3

The intervening bealach can very difficult to locate in misty conditions, with intervening steep, stony and very loose terrain. It's probably best to descend just slightly north of west from the summit for a short distance, soon over steep stony and loose ground, to meet a stalkers path that cuts across the west side of the mountain. Turn left along this, which cuts through the steep ground and zig-zags down to the bealach. The stalkers path continues up the far side of the bealach and passes to the left of a minor peak before the ridge narrows briefly. As the ridge broadens again, the stalkers path contours round to the left; leave the path here and climb more directly up the steep slopes towards Sgùrr Mòr - again with big drops on the right.

Stage 4

The slope eases shortly before the impressively built summit cairn on the summit of Sgùrr Mòr is reached. At 1110 metres, this second Munro is the highest summit for miles around, and its impressive 'witches hat' outline marking it out in distant views from other mountains across the region. The view, as might be expected, is very extensive, with Sgùrr nan Clach Geala looking very impressive close at hand, and An Teallach commanding to the northwest.

Stage 5

Descend back down the south ridge, briefly retracing steps before continuing down a slope eroded into a series of terraces made by a process known as solufluction during the last ice-age. From the bealach continue up over the minor summit of Meall nan Peithirean with its flat rocks. There are excellent views to the north all along this ridge down into a series of rocky, lochan-filled corries. The path descends gently down the far side of this top to reach a bealach, and after passing to the right of the bump of Creachan Rairigidh reaches a second bealach. Here the path forks, with a branch to the south descending towards Loch Fannich; our route follows the path which climbs up to the summit of Meall Gorm. This flat-topped Munro is the third of the walk, and has a height of 949 metres.

Stage 6

The ridge continues east, passing a curious and partly collapsed stone shelter presumably built by stalkers. Continue to a final top at 922m before descending steeper stony ground to reach the wide Bealach Ban. From the bealach, continue up the very wide grass and scree-covered slopes to the summit plateau - it is possible to avoid the scree by taking a traverse to the right part way up the slope - once beyond the scree ascent grassy slopes direct to the summit.

Stage 7

The summit of the fourth Munro, An Coileachan, is marked by a well-built cairn atop a sandstone outcrop. There's a great view looking along to the termination of the ridge at An Eigin, backed by Loch Luichart, as well as looking back over the whole range and Loch Fannich.

Stage 8

Head north across the plateau before picking your way steeply down a stonier section - any difficulties can be avoided to the left side - heading in the direction of Loch Gorm. Once on flatter ground follow a more defined path to the bealach southwest of Meallan Buidhe. The route on from here becomes very boggy and very rough, though with a path of sorts at first. Contour the west side of Meallan Buidhe and aim a little east of north across the moors - the path fades out - to reach the Abhainn a'Ghuibhais Li at a bridge. Cross and then follow the far bank of the burn downstream to the second bridge used on the ascent. Cross this to retrace your steps via the forest track - with some unwelcome ascent - back to the car park.

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