On the map, the Applecross peninsula looks as if the gods, on a particularly raucous stag weekend, hurled an axe into the sea. To the Gaelic speaker, this is A' Chomraich: the Sanctuary. To the Munro monomaniac, this is terra whybothera. But there are two fine Corbetts, a staggeringly impressive mountain pass, miles of fantastic coast and spectacular views over to Skye. This route is unusual because tarmac boosts you to a whopping 626m. This puts Sgùrr a' Chaorachain in a whole other category of west coast hill, in a region that typically requires a pull from barely above sea-level. This opens up the option of a quick outing, diplomatically squeezable into a family holiday.
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NG7742442655 Start at the pull-in at the apex of the bealach. Take the ugly gravel track, complete with snow poles, east to the equally ugly signalling installation at 773m. At least the views are spectacular!
© Norman Hadley, Jun 2023
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NG7859942473 Don't let the labels on the OS map fool you into thinking you're at the top. See that peak out to the south east? That's the true summit at 792m. Start by heading due south along the corrie edge.
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NG7868541781 Swing due east for the easy-but-scenic walk out along the undulating ridge crest, passing over a series of little tops before the final short pull to the summit.
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NG7974541746 Retrace steps back to the bealach summit. Or add the taller Corbett, Beinn Bhan, if you want to make more of it. But this involves a complex, twisty ridge on rough ground and would miss out on Beinn Bhan's impressively corried eastern flank in any case.
© Norman Hadley, Jun 2023
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Further Routes
by Norman Hadley
- Easedale Horseshoe 30 May
- Netherbeck Skyline 3 May
- Longsleddale Horseshoe 20 Apr
- Clougha Pike 5 Apr
- Maol Chean-Dearg and An Ruadh-Stac 8 Mar