Surrounded by bigger and better known hills, Beinn a' Chearcaill would be easy to ignore; but don't be fooled - this one's far more worthwhile than first appearance suggests. From its prime position above Loch Maree, it offers unusual views of the wild northern flank of the Torridon peaks, and a prime angle on Slioch. More notable still is its remarkable summit, a huge rock pavement scattered with boulders, like a snooker table for giants.
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1
NG9621868027 From the layby walk southeast along the A832 (caution, fast traffic), then turn right up a track to pass a small cottage. A decent stalker's path now leads up Glen Grudie, a steady ascent of about 2km with great views back over Loch Maree to Slioch.
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NG9533766100 Just before the path descends slightly into the mouth of Coire Brise, look for a cairn marking a less-clear trail on the right. Boggy after rain, this path makes a rising traverse across the northern slope of Coire Brise to reach a burn cutting and waterfalls at the head of the corrie. The path climbs beside the north side of the burn to reach easier angled ground above the corrie.
3
NG9372765344 Cross the burn near a lochan, then follow your nose roughly south. The angle is relaxed, but the ground very hard going on a mix of boulders and heather, and any trace of path will be fleeting at best. With few definite landmarks, and plenty of bumps and hollows, these broad northern slopes of Beinn a' Chearcaill would need some navigational care in poor visibility. A steady ascent eventually brings you out onto the amazing rock table of the summit plateau.
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NG9310563799 With steep ground on three flanks, the logical return from here is to head back north. Some books advocate making a loop over the subsidiary summit of A' Choineach Beag, but we were happy to just retrace our steps back down to the road.
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Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 7.46 miles (12 km)
Total ascent: 704m
Time: 4 – 5 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start/Finish:Layby off A832 just west of Bridge of Grudie, NG961680
Nearest town:
Gairloch
Terrain:
Easy going on a decent path to begin, before a muddier trail leads up Coire Briste. On the rough northern slopes of the hill the path soon vanishes, and it's tough progress underfoot on a mix of boulders and vegetation. Beinn a' Chearcaill might not be high, but it's hard won.
Seasonal variations:
Deep snow would make the high ground doubly hard work.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Northwest Highlands – Met Office: West Highlands
Public transport:
Infrequent bus from Inverness to Gairloch, but then you're on your own.
Guidebooks:
The Grahams and the Donalds (SMC)
Maps:
OS Explorer 433 (1:25,000), OS Explorer 435 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 19 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
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Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- 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
- Loch Ossian round - Seven Munros by Train 15 Sep, 2023
- Beinn Dronaig - 30km of Solitude 23 Aug, 2023
I think this post is a bit bugged: Previous Edit by User - DO NOT EDIT below here!!
Cheers, fixed now
No problem.
One of the great smaller hills! From memory it's possible to include an amazing waterfall in the route too...Talladale Falls. The terrain is hard work but it's worth it.
Great hill isn't it! I had the kids on our visit this summer, so Talladale looked a bit too far. I'll probably go alone next time