Munros

HILLWALKING MUNROS
	An excellent resource for the munroist, with route summaries, maps, mountain specific weather forecasts (inc. visibility, wind speed, cloud base, temperature @ 3000ft).
Ben More Assynt (3,274ft / 998m) and Conival (3,238ft / 987m) Ordnance Survey Landranger 15 Grid Reference NC 318202 and 035198 respectively Half an hour drive from Cairncroft, north on the A837 towards Lochinver. Car park at Inchnadamph. Follow the River Traligill east up Gleann Dubh, on the clear path, to gain the col between Beinn an Fhurain and Conival. Steep climb up Conival, and then east along the ridge to Ben More Assynt. The ridge is exposed in one or two places, and care is needed. The round trip will take about eight hours. An alternative route is from Glen Cassley. Follow the single track road up Glen Cassley, all the way to the gates at Duchally, where there is a parking spot. Cross the suspension bridge over the river. To take in the entire south ridge, head straight up the hill to gain the summit of Eagle Rock, and follow the ridge, which is very exposed in parts, to BMA. Again, this route will take a good eight hours, but the south ridge ascent is more satisfying than the standard route up from Inchnadamph. Photo: ridge between BMA and Conival Photo: Ben More Assynt, from the South Ridge Photo: Conival, from the South Ridge
Ben Hope (3,041ft / 927m) Sheet 9 GR 477502 One hour drive from Cairncroft, north from Lairg on A836, turn left at Altnaharra. The most northerly Munro. Two hour climb. Park at the foot of the mountain, near the sign "Ben Hope : Way Up", and follow the well trodden path. Exposed on the summit. Great views out to sea, and of Foinaven, Arkle and Ben Loyal. Photo: Ben Hope and River Hope
Ben Klibreck (3,156ft / 961m) Sheet 16 NC 585299 Forty minute drive from Cairncroft. This Munro dominates the northern side of Loch Shin, and may be climbed easily from the farm, or from Vagastie on the A836 (534283).Good views out to the east coast on a clear day. Photo: Ben Klibreck, from Clibreg Farm
Seana Bhraigh (3,041ft / 927m) Sheet 20 NH 281879 One of the most isolated Munros. A full day's exertion is required to experience the considerable joys offered by this beautiful mountain. With permission of the Keeper it may be possible to dirve up the private track to Corriemulzie Lodge (about forty minutes from Cairncroft). The track up the glen may then be followed. It leads five and a half miles all the way to Loch a' Choire Mhoir, where there is a Bothy maintained by the National Bothies Association. It is an eight to ten hour round trip to climb the mountain from the Lodge. Photo: Seana Bhraigh (Creag an Duine), from Strath Mulzie Photo: Loch a' Choire Mhoir hills at sunset
An Teallach : Sgurr Fiona (3,478ft / 1060m) and Bidean a' Ghlas Thuill (3,484ft / 1062m) Sheet 19 NH 065837 and 069844 Eighty minute drive from Cairncroft, to Ullapool on A835, then right on A832 towards Dundonnel, just after the Corrieshalloch Gorge (worth a look - more information on the National Trust for Scotland website). Anyone with an interest in hillwalking would be a fool to miss this jewel in the Highland crown. It is a challenging expedition - ten to twelve hours round trip to climb all eleven peaks (including the two Munros). Simply the most awesome mountain traverse there is, involving exposed scrambling along sheer cliffs - definitely not for vertigo sufferers! Best approach is from Corrie Hallie(113852), following the track up the burn (Alt Gleann Chorachain), and taking the higher path at GR 100822 to gain the foothills of Sail Liath, and the climb begins... Unbelievable views, heart in mouth, stomach contents over summit cairn, etc, etc. Photo: Sgurr Fiona and the Corrag Bhuidhe ridge Photo: Bidean a' Ghlas Thuill from Cadha Gobhlach
Torridon : Sheets 19 and 25 (the mountains are inconveniently split between the two, but OS Outdoor Leisure Series Map 8, in the larger 1:25,000 scale is dedicated to the Torridon Hills). A couple of hours drive from Cairncroft, but well worth it. If the weather is settled, it's well worth camping out in the glen for a few days in order to take in all of the Torridon Munros. Glen Torridon is a place that you want to not to leave. Two awesome roadside mountain ranges, which take the breath away (and not just on the ascent!).
Beinn Eighe : Ruadh-stac Mor (3,314ft / 1010m) OS Grid Ref NG 951611 and Spidean Coire nan Clach (3,258ft / 993m) NG 965597 Beinn Eighe may be approached from almost anywhere on the A896, but the Car Park at 958568 between Liathach and BE is recommended, since there is a clear path that follows round to the rear of BE to Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair, a most beautiful secluded place, perfect for chilling out and enjoying the view of the Triple Buttress, at the southern end of the Loch. The ascent of R-SM may then be made before following the ridge south and then east to gain the second Munro SCNC. The entire traverse of BE makes for a very long, but satisfying day. Photo: Beinn Eighe (Spidean Coire nan Clach and Sgurr Ban), from Liathach Photo: Beinn Eighe (Loch Coire Mhic Fhearcheir and the Triple Buttress) Photo: Beinn Eighe (Ruadh-stac Mor), from Loch Coire Mhic Fhearcheir
Liathach : Spidean a' Choire Leith (3,461ft / 1055m) NG 928580 and Mullach an Rathain (3,356ft / 1023m) NG 912577 Liathach is best approached from the obvious roadside parking place on the A836 at 936566. There is a well worn path, steep in places up to the ridge, which feels magnificently exposed. The ridge may then be followed west to SCL. To reach MAR The Pinnacles of Am Fasarinen must be negotiated. If you have a head for heights and a steady step, take the route straight over the ridge, which is little wider than a narrow path. There is an alternative path cut into the southern elevation of the pinnacles, just below the ridge itself, but even this is scary in places. Having climbed MAR, head straight back down to the road, and enjoy a stroll back along the several miles of the A836 to the car. A round trip of about six hours that you won't forget in a hurry. Photo: Liathach, from Beinn Eighe Photo: Liathach (Spidean a' Choire Leith)
Beinn Alligin : Tom na Gruagaich (3,025ft / 922m) NG 859602 and Sgurr Mhor (3,235ft / 986m) NG 866614 A fine horseshoe shaped mountain at the western end of Torridon, with great views of the other Torridon mountains and Upper Loch Torridon. There is a car park just above Torridon House at 869576, and a well worn route up to Tom na Gruagaich, There is an easy ridge round to Sgurr Mhor but after that things get much more interesting. The Horns of Alligin make for a much more challenging final third of the horseshoe. The path leading back down the glen may be rejoined at the foot of the mountain. A thoroughly enjoyable five hour round trip. Photo: Sgurr Mhor and the Horns of Alligin, from Tom na Gruagaich
A'Mhaighdean (3,173ft / 967m) NH 006748 The Maiden is shy and elusive. She is not visible from any of the main roads, and only the committed get to meet her. It's a full day out to get to the summit (ten to twelve hours round trip), walking through the total wilderness, a place where golden eagles may oft be seen. Great views from the summit to the west. Approach either from Poolewe or Kinlochewe, both a couple of hours drive from Cairncroft, and walk... Photo: The sun begins to set, from the summit of A'Mhaighdean Ruadh Stac Mor (918m) NH 018756 RSM neighbours Tthe Maiden, and if you going to take a day in the area, it would be sensible to include this mountain, which will add about an hour to the overall trip. The final ascent itself is steep but uncomplicated. In poor visibility, care must be taken in finding the way off from the summit plateau. For the Author, the ascent of The Maiden and RSM was a strange, unforgettable experience - read about it here.
Munros ¦ Coigach ¦ Assynt ¦ Others ¦ Low level walks