Last Updated: 20th Aug 2024

Intermediate - Experienced

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Creag Meagaidh munro loop

Highland, Scotland

Submitted by Keri Devine

Last Updated: 20th Aug 2024

Intermediate - Experienced

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 48 ?

Gnarl Factor: 56 ?

20.8km

1235m

1205m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Back country - remote

Loop

Mountainous

Dog Friendly

Plantation/exotic forest

Lakeside

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

1%
10%
64%
15%
10%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +12.0%

Average Downhill Gradient: -11.7%

Garmin Course

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Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

7:00

Slow

4:00

Moderate

2:30

Fast

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From the carpark, take the path up towards the Aberarder farm buildings (which includes the public toilets). Follow the signposted route to the right of the buildings and over a small bridge to the woods. After approximately 1.5km from the carpark, there is a small cairn and path which heads up right through the birch wood. Take this path and continue up the track to Carn Liath – this is the biggest climb of the day. The path continues northwest getting rockier as you ascend, then the angle eases off toward the summit. The rounded summit is marked by a cairn.

From the summit of Carn Liath, head west down the open slopes, over Meall an t-Snaim, and on to a short, steep ascent to Sròn Coire a'Chriochairein. Continue curving along the ridge to the summit of Stub Poite Coire Ardair (marked with a cairn).

From the summit, descend in a south to southwest direction to ‘the Window’, then turn southeast (still following the path) and start climbing up the zig zag path through the scree, which eventually levels out to a plateau. Continue along the plateau – note that the first cairn is not the summit (it is ‘Mad Megs Cairn’). To reach the summit, continue approximately 500m in a westerly direction.

From Creag Meagaidh, retrace your steps back to the ‘window’, then follow the bouldery path that zig zags down the hill to Lochan a’Choire and continue on the path back to the carpark.

This trail includes the peaks Creag Meagaidh, Stob Poite Coire Ardair and Carn Liath.

Three munros, a lochan with steep cliffs as a backdrop (these cliffs are reported to be some of the best ice climbing in Scotland in the winter), and Mad Megs cairn (apparently an 18th century burial mound).

Next to the Aberarder farmhouse (just after the start of the trail).

Parking available at the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve car park. No public transport

Yes

No

Hard.

Monderate to navigate in good weather. Navigation is significantly more challenging in fog or snow. The summits are often in cloud, so careful navigation is required on the tops – especially between Carn Liath and Stob Poite Coire Adair.

Patchy.

Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions)

Water is available coming down from 'the Window', little water available on the tops.

High winds are to be expected all year round on the tops and there is no shelter. Snow and ice hazards in winter.
It is a serious winter mountain route with steep, treacherous ground on the side of the mountains, and has a high avalanche risk (especially in ‘the Window’ area)

Potential steep drops, difficult to navigate in bad weather. Winter avalanche risk.

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