Sgùrr Breac & A' Chailleach: Western Fannichs

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Summary

These rewarding Munros offer a fine outing with superb views over Loch Fannich, An Teallach and the Fisherfield. The ridges offer fine walking, but the descent route is steep and rough and there is a great deal of boggy terrain lower down.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.53333/5

Rating

Terrain

Steep and soggy on approach to Toman Coinich, then good ridge walking. Descent from A'Chailleach is very steep, pathless and boggy, with difficult to navigation in poor visibility.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Layby on A832, south west of Braemore junction. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 16km / 10 miles
Time: 6 - 8 hours
Ascent: 1127m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH163761

Summits Climbed

Munro: Sgùrr Breac
Munro: A' Chailleach

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (34)

Stage 1

Park at the parking area just past the forestry plantations and gated, signed track off the A832 to the south west of Braemore junction. From the parking area walk back along the road for 20 metres until you reach the track leading to Loch a Bhraoin; it is signed for long distance routes to Kinlochewe and Loch Fannich. Go past the barrier and along the track, with views of the mountains ahead. Soon a gate is reached and new paths head off to the left and right - turn left here, following a path which leads through the forestry and then down to a bridge over the outflow of the loch.

Stage 2

Follow the stalker's path on the other side of the bank for a very short distance. As you reach the foot of the ridge heading up to Tomain Coinich turn right onto a boggy path heading straight up the slope of Leitir Fhearna, the nose of the ridge. From here the slope higher up looks rocky but it presents no difficulties apart from wet ground; the path easily negotiates the rocky sections.

Stage 3

Once past the rocky part the ridge flattens and there is a plateau riven with peat gullies. Avoid the worst of the peat by following the path round the right edge to reach the grassier ridge beyond. This gives a gentle and enjoyable climb, with good views of the corries in front of the Munros on either side. Do not be tempted to stay on the path traversing the right hand side of the ridge, this path eventually leads to the col between Toman Coinich and A Chailleach across a very steep and rocky final slope; it is better to follow the crest of ridge straight to the summit of Toman Coinich.

Stage 4

From the summit of Toman Coinich there are fine views down to Loch Fannich and the surrounding hills. Follow the south easterly broad ridge down to the col, crossing wide bare steps caused by glaciation in the last ice age. From the col it is a straightforward climb to Sgùrr Breac. The true summit is not the first cairn on the little rise but is a couple of hundred metres further east atop of flat plateau, giving little impression of the cliffs to the north. This is the first Munro of the day, at 1000 metres.

Stage 5

Retrace your steps to Tomain Coinich and then descend the indistinct ridge to the bealach opposite before climbing steadily up the grassy and much more well defined and enjoyable ridge up the far side; there are great views down the cliffs on the right side down to Loch Toll an Lochain in the corrie floor.

Stage 6

Keep following the ridge as it flattens off at the junction with Sròn an Goibhre ridge (most easily identified by the old fence post stumps going off down the slope to the right). Here bear left, following the path to reach the summit of A Chailleach, the second Munro of the day, and a superb viewpoint both over Loch Fannich and into the remote peaks of the Fisherfield Forest.

Stage 7

To find the descent route return north east to where the fence posts led off and start descending the ridge of Sròn na Goibhre (no path). The descent is fairly steep to start with and then becomes gentle as it follows the spur. The ridge climbs slightly, crossing a rocky-knoll like summit.

Stage 8

A couple of hundred metres beyond these is the best place to begin the very steep descent down the right flank of the ridge to the coire near the outflow of Loch Toll an Lochain. The slope is mostly steep grass and bog with some greasy boulders, but must be tackled to avoid the crags at the termination of the ridge to the north. Once down in the corrie turn left alongside the burn, crossing it as soon as possible. Further on ground steepens and the stream cascades into a ravine with a series of waterfalls; this is negotiated with a descending traverse to the right.

Stage 9

Beyond the waterfalls, continue heading downhill diagonally towards Loch a Bhraoin. Note a fine sheepfold off to the left. Eventually a very boggy and faint ATV track can be picked up, aiming for the far corner of a fenced area. Pass this corner and continue to the shores of Loch a' Bhroain. Now follow the very rough and boggy track back to the bridge at the outflow of the loch. Cross this to return to the A832 by the outward route.

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