Two-Dayer - Loch Affric Circuit, Scotland
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Dalness> Ston na Cabar >
Kingshouse > Ston Dearg > Dalness
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Average Time: 18 hours 15 mins over
two days *
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Distance: 28.3 miles
(45.6km)
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Height Gain: 9219 ft
(2808m)
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A scenic and remote two-dayer above Loch
Affric in the Scottish highlands with a choice of hostelling
or wild camping overnight.
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Maps: OS Explorer 414
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 4
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 3
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Start Point: NH
200 233
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A remote two-day route that starts from Loch Affric before climbing
the ridge line above the loch with incredible views over the
surrounding hills. You can either drop down to overnight at the
Alltbeithe youth hostel, which you'll pass on your ascent or wild
camp on the dramatic ridge.
The second day starts with a tough haul back up to the ridgeline
for hostellers, but the reward is an ascent of Carn Eighe, the
eleventh highest Munro before continuing along the ridge and dropping
back down to your start point by the loch.
Sunrise in Glen Affric by Alan Bellis from his OM
Album
Day One - Section 1: Loch Affric to Alltbeithe
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Distance: 8.3 miles (13.4K)
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Height Gain: 851 ft (259m)
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Park at the western end of Glen Affric in the small car
park and follow the path first to Affric Lodge then following the
north side of the loch. Just beyond the end of the loch the path
splits, with the left hand branch heading half behind you to
Athnamullock and right hand branch following the river Affric.
The route continues along the north side of the river, passing
ruins as you traverse the flank of Carnach Mor. A long walk
eventually brings you slowly uphill to Alltbeithe
Hostel.This is an option for overnight stays and our route
returns here after visiting the ridge that dominates the view to
the right.
Section 2: Alltbeithe to Stob Coire na Cloiche
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Distance: 1.8 miles (3km)
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1740 ft (530m) 207 ft (63m)
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From the hostel head north, uphill between two streams on a well-worn
path. A sharp right then left turn bring the path alongside the Allt
na Faing and you start a steady climb up the 1500ft to
Stob
Coire na Cloiche.
This is a minor bump on the ridge from Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan and
An Sodhail but still commands fine views over Glen Affric and Gleann
a Choilch.
Section 3: Stob Coire na Cloiche to Alltbeithe
(overnight)
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Distance: 6.6 miles (10.6km)
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Height Gain: 3165 ft (963m)
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On reaching the ridge turn left and follow the narrow ridge
crest along its 1.5 mile length to the top of Sgurr
nan Ceathreamhnan.
This is a remote mountain, miles from the nearest road and at 3771
ft above sea level it comes in 21st in the list of Britain's highest
mountains. Although ridges radiate from the summit this is the end of
the main ridge and all routes lead down.
Glen Affiric by Colin Cadden - OM
Album
Retrace your steps from the summit and descend the path back to
Alltbeithe for your overnight accommodation.
Alternatively you can wild camp on the splendid ridge line
and avoid the tough reascent next day.
Day Two - Section 4: Stob Coire na Cloiche to Mam
Sodhail
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Distance: 3 miles (4.8km)
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Height Gain: 2034 ft (620m)
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Average time: 2 hours 45 minutes
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For those who descended to the hostel overnight you need to
make an early start as the 1.8 mile reascent to the ridge is needed
first.
From here turn right, east, towards the obvious mass of Mam
Sodhail. It's a tough climb to the 3862 ft summit thanks to
the Beallach Coire Ghaidheil between An Sochah and Mam Sochail which
adds a further 1500 ft of ascent.
The route itself is straightforward, first up the half mile slopes
of An Socach then down again to the beallach. A series of cairns
trace the line of the north east ridge of Mam Sodhail, just 18ft
below the highest point on this four and a half mile ridge.
This is one summit you can't mistake thanks to the shelter around
the large OS trig point.
Section 5: Mam Sodhail to Loch
Affric
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Distance: 8.6 miles (13.8km)
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Height Gain: 1429 ft (436m)
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Average time: 4 hours 30 minutes
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From Mam Sodhail the route undulates, but soon reaches
Carn
Eige, the highest point on the chain and 11th highest of the
Munros. A short climb beyond the summit brings you to Garbh Bealach,
where a path heads down to the right.
Carn Eige's summit in winter conditions by ALS
from his
OM
Album
Take this path downhill to join the stream through Gleann
nan Fhiam, unless you want to add on an extra mile and a half
along the ridge to take in Tom a Choinich, the drop down from Bealach
Toll Easa to reach the same path.
The path now drops through woods to emerge alongside Loch Beinn a
Mheadhoin, where a right turn along the road will bring you back to
your starting point.
ALoveSupreme
