Two-Dayer - Loch Affric Circuit

Two-Dayer - Loch Affric Circuit, Scotland

Dalness> Ston na Cabar > Kingshouse > Ston Dearg > Dalness

Average Time: 18 hours 15 mins over two days *

Distance: 28.3 miles (45.6km)	Height Gain: 9219 ft (2808m)
A scenic and remote two-dayer above Loch Affric in the Scottish highlands with a choice of hostelling or wild camping overnight.	Maps: OS Explorer 414 Online: Streetmap
Strenuousness: 4 Technicality: 1 Photo Grade: 3	Start Point: NH 200 233

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

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Day One - Section 1: Loch Affric to Alltbeithe

Distance: 8.3 miles (13.4K)

Height Gain: 851 ft (259m)

Average Time: 4 hours

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.

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Section 2: Alltbeithe to Stob Coire na Cloiche

Distance: 1.8 miles (3km)

1740 ft (530m) 207 ft (63m)

Average Time: 2 hours

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.

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Section 3: Stob Coire na Cloiche to Alltbeithe (overnight)

Distance: 6.6 miles (10.6km)

Height Gain: 3165 ft (963m)

Average time: 5 hours

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.

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Day Two - Section 4: Stob Coire na Cloiche to Mam Sodhail

Distance: 3 miles (4.8km)

Height Gain: 2034 ft (620m)

Average time: 2 hours 45 minutes

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.

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Section 5: Mam Sodhail to Loch Affric

Distance: 8.6 miles (13.8km)

Height Gain: 1429 ft (436m)

Average time: 4 hours 30 minutes

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.

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Route Map