Comprising nine Munros linked by twisting, grassy ridges, the sprawling Fannaichs combine the drama of the northwest highlands with the open spaces of the east. This is a great place for striding out on long days over multiple summits. While it's possible to cover the lot in a single stretch, it's a tall order outside summer, and logistically tricky for transport either end. Munro baggers typically work through the hills over several more manageable visits, and the central peaks covered here make an excellent mid-length day, with some of the best ridge walking in the range.
Fetching Map
Height Profile
metres / Distance
miles
Detailed description
1
NH1617676113 Follow the road briefly southeast, then turn right onto a gated estate track. This leads alongside forestry to a footbridge over a burn near Loch a' Bhraoin. Turn left, cross the bridge, and follow a made path through the edge of the woods to the outflow from the loch. Go over another bridge here.
2
NH1584474969 If water levels are high then it's worth now going left (east) onto a very muddy ATV track which leads to a further bridge ( NH163747) over to the east side of the Allt Breabaig. However it's a lot more pleasant to stay with the well-made stalker's path southeast and then south along the Allt Breabaig to a ford at NH162741. Having crossed the burn, stay with the stalker's path for about 500m.
3
NH1653073660 Peel off the stalker's path, crossing heather to reach the slightly higher level ATV track described in stage 2. Follow this briefly, then head roughly east to climb the steepening western flank of Meall a' Chrasgaidh. With occasional traces of footfall rather than a path as such, climb a grassy slope with craggier ground to its left and deeper heather to its right, skirting right of any outcrops. The more gently-inclined northwest spur then leads easily to the cairn on top.
4
NH1848273325 Descend south, where a path leads to a broad, watery bealach. If you're not bagging Carn na Criche (it's just a Top, not a Munro) then stay right, following a path roughly south-southeast uphill to the outflow from a tiny lochan.5
NH1881472177 Continue more steeply uphill to reach a nearly level shoulder marking the start of the curving northeast ridge of Sgurr nan Clach Geala. this narrow, rocky crest gives an easy but enjoyably airy ascent to the shattered trig point marking the day's high point, on the most spectacular peak of the Fannaichs.
6
NH1842671495 Briefly follow the rim of the corrie crags south then southeast along the short summit crest, then pick up a path descending south down fairly steep grassy ground to the col of the Cadha na Guite. You'll be returning this way shortly, but for now carry on uphill along the pleasant ridge-crest path to reach the sharp little summit of Sgurr nan Each, a great viewpoint.
7
NH1847069764 Return to the Cadha na Guite, then descend west into a grassy open corrie. At a band of broken outcrops cut left to avoid the rocks, descending steep soggy grass before bearing northwest down waterlogged slopes to reach the low pass that serves as a through-route dividing the main Fannaich range from its western outliers Sgurr Breac and A' Chailleach.
8
NH1730670675 Here pick up the well-made stalker's path as used in stage 2. Occasionally boggy but largely easy underfoot, this leads north down the long lonely glen below Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Meall a' Chrasgaidh. Re-cross the Allt Breabaig (or do battle with the ford-avoiding muddy ATV track) then retrace your steps to the road.
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Difficulty: DifficultDistance: 11.37 miles (18.30 km)
Total ascent: 1,050m
Time: 6 – 8 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start/Finish:Layby on the A832 near the Loch a' Bhraoin track turnoff, about 6km west of Braemore Junction, NH161761
Nearest town:
Ullapool or Dingwall
Terrain:
A mix of 4WD track, stalker's paths and intermittent hill paths. The glen can be boggy, but the high ground is largely straightforward except for the steep initial ascent of Meall a' Chrasgaidh and the descent form Cadha na Guite, which both need some route finding ability. The ford of the Allt Breabaig needs care in wet weather and may occasionally be inadvisable; a muddier alternative track avoids this river crossing. Either way is unlikely to end in dry feet, so gaiters are a good idea.
Seasonal variations:
Occasional steeper ground will need some care in snowy conditions, while the short but narrow northeast ridge of Sgurr nan Clach Geala has a winter mountaineering feel, albeit no technical difficulty.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Northwest Highlands – Met Office: West Highlands
Public transport:
Operated by Westerbus, there's an infrequent service between Dundonnell and Inverness, which you might induce to stop for you. But it's not really a viable option for hill access.
Guidebooks:
The Munros (SMC)
Maps:
OS Explorer 435 (1:25,000), OS Explorer 436 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 20 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Ullapool (0845 22 55 121)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- East Ridge of Beinn a' Chaorainn and Beinn Teallach 21 Jan
- A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire 4 Dec, 2023
- Meall na Teanga & Sron a' Choire Ghairbh - The Loch Lochy Munros 6 Nov, 2023
- Bynack More 19 Oct, 2023
- Beinn a' Mhuinidh 4 Oct, 2023
That was well timed,Dan. I was on Meall a Chrasgaidh and Sgurr nan Clach Geala yesterday. Light snow cover to road level and around -5 on the tops. Not a lot of snow but neve forming in patches on lee slopes. A lot of deer around . I counted about 300 all told. Not a soul to be seen.No bothy bound Fifers with wheelbarrows this time on the track to Loch a' Bhraoin!
Is that track wheelbarrow-able? Could be the way forward
A bit gravelly in places by the loch side but pretty flat most of the way.The guy I met in October had a good load aboard including a few bottles!
PS after a brief thaw on Friday there is now a lot more snow on the tops today in Fisherfield and Torridon. Good forecast for Sunday