A stunning two-day combined walk and scramble on Arran with some great pics too.
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Sannox > Cioch na
h'Oighe
> The
Saddle > Glen Rosa > Goatfell > Caisteal Abhail
> Sannox
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Average Time: 12 hours 20 mins over
two days *
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Distance: 16 miles
(25.7km)
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Height Gain: 8588 ft
(2618m)
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A two day route for those seeking a
little more adventure. Arran may not boast a Munro, but the
mountains enclosing Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa are as
impressive as any on the mainland
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Maps: OS Explorer 361
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 4
Technicality: 4
Photo Grade: 5
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Start Point: NS
016 454
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A two-day route for those seeking a little more adventure. Arran may
not boast a Munro, but the mountains enclosing Glen Sannox and Glen
Rosa are as impressive as any on the mainland, and a serious
undertaking in anything but the best weather.
This route takes you round the Glen Sannox Horseshoe, dropping
down to Glen Rosa for an overnight stay and taking in Goatfell -
above viewed from the ferry - the island's highest peak.
Important note:
Day One -
Section 1: Sannox to Cioch na h'Oighe
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Distance: 2.1 miles (3.3km)
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Height Gain: 2092 ft (638 m)
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Start from Sannox,
where there's a choice of small lay-bys and take the sign-posted path
beside Glen Cottage.
The path starts off as a tarmac road but soon degenerates as it
swings right and starts to climb. On reaching the first stream after
crossing the Allt a' Chapuill take the faint path upstream towards
Coire na Ciche.
As you approach the coire bear right on a feint and sometimes hard
to find path, aiming straight for the middle of Cioch
na h'Oighe. This path starts off narrow and climbs steeply to
a corner, where Glenn Sannox comes into view, the while remaining
narrow becomes more obvious as it zig-zags steeply towards a rock
face.
Just before the base of the wall an easy scramble brings you back
onto a zig-zag path between outcrops. Follow the meandering path from
side to side of the ridge till a final short and easy scramble brings
you to the summit of Cioch na h'Oighe.
Section 2: Cioch nah Oighe to The Saddle
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Distance: 2.1 miles (3.3km)
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Height Gain: 911 ft (278 m)
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From the summit of
Cioch na h'Oighe turn right, away from the
ridge, to drop down to a narrow path. Turn left along this path and
follow it to an obvious small gap in the main ridge, then scramble up
the other side to join the crest of the ridge.
The ridge now becomes a switchback, with rises and gaps, with the
path dropping to avoid most of the downclimbs then climbing again to
the ridge top. Just beyond the highest part of the ridge cross
another gap to a series of slabs and a boulder-strewn slope.
Go uphill between the boulders to respite on a grassy slope, then
again follow the ridge to Mullach
Buidhe. Follow the ridge from Mullach Buidhe to a gap below
North Goatfell and take the right hand path.
A steep but easy walk brings you to the summit of this subsidiary
peak of Goatfell - pic Bob
C. The section between North Goatfell and The Saddle is
notorious, dropping steeply between boulders to an exposed step, then
climb down a series of grooves and unstable rock ridges to an obvious
buttress.
Turn this on the left and continue down to pick up a path on the
ridge. A short level section leads to a small ledge on the right then
down a crumbling slope to reach the safety of The
Saddle.
Day One, Section 3: The Saddle to Glen
Rosa
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Distance: 4.2 miles (6.8km)
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Height Gain: 104 ft (32m)
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With the hardest part of day one behind you the route now
heads downhill into Glen Rosa. Start off down a heather
covered slope that drops to a small stream, which can be easily
crossed to join the path down into the valley.
The path follows the side of Glenrosa
Water passing waterfalls and boulders. Eventually the path
diverges from the river and crosses a wooden bridge (July 07) from
where the path gets wider.
The path now leads down to Glen Rosa campsite, which though very
basic makes an ideal "almost wild camp" overnight stay. Alternatively
continue down the path as it becomes a road. Turn left at the road
junction then right at the next junction to go into Brodick, where a
choice of accommodation is available.
Day Two - Section 1: Cladach to Goatfell
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Distance: 3.3 miles (5.3km)
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Height Gain: 2805 ft (855m)
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Day two starts from Cladach,
a short walk north from Glen Rosa. At Cladach take the sign-posted
footpath on the left (when entering Cladach from Brodick)trying not
to stop at the outdoor shop and Arran Brewery on the way.
The path goes uphill through trees, crossing the road to Brodick
Castle before entering the Forestry Commission plantation. Continue
uphill to Cnocan where you go straight ahead at a junction, then
onwards to the next main path junction.
Go left here, following the signpost to reach a wall with a
gateway. The trees get sparser here and you emerge onto heather and
bracken covered slopes before climbing onto rockier ground.
The path improves, though is obviously artificially enhanced as
you climb more slowly at first. The slope increases as you climb
towards Meall
Breac and a brief level section. Now the path heads
directly for the summit, climbing steadily between boulders to
suddenly emerge at the summit of the island's highest peak, Goatfell.
Day Two - Section 2: Goatfell to Caisteal Abhail
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Distance: 2.7 miles (4.4km)
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Height Gain: 2117 ft (645m)
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From the summit of Goatfell to the summit of North
Goatfell the choice is down to you. Take the crest, with its
pinnacles and scrambles for added excitement, or take the detours
around the difficult bits.
Either way the North West Ridge of Goatfell gives tremendous
walking and stunning views. Once on North Goatfell the first
section retraces the steps of yesterdays difficult descent to The
Saddle, where you need to take great care at all times with the
rotten footings.
The initial moves beyond The Saddle are easy but soon become more
difficult as you climb over a series of boulders and small faces with
an ever present loose path below your feet.
Eventually a more stable, and easier-angled path leads to the
climb up to Cir
Mhor - photograph Marcus
Crompton. This whole area is loose, with unstable footing
compounded by loose boulders and rotten rock, so again it's a place
for cautious progress.
Once past this section, however, you emerge at the summit of Cir
Mhor. Look north to Caisteal Abhail and start downhill towards it,
aiming for an obvious gap in the connectig ridge.
Although faint at first the path soon becomes obvious and a cairn
helps navigation to the gap. Now follow the ridge on easy ground to
reach the top of Caisteal Abhail.
Day Two - Section 3: Caisteal Abhail to Sannox
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Distance:3.6 miles (5.8km)
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Height Gain: 529 ft (161m)
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From Caisteal Abhail - below, Marcus
Crompton - follow the ridge east down to a gap, then move right
below the ridge crest to avoid dangerous and exposed ground, as you
move towards the Witch's Step.
This is yet another of the Goatfell mountains notorious
blackspots, and somewhere to watch every foothold carefully. Make
your way down the granite slabs of the Witch's Step, following
scrapes and other signs to follow where others have been.
The difficulties ease slightly as you approach the ridge at the
base of the gap, and once down you move left do descend an obvious
gully. Move up right over easy scrambling terrain then follow a path
between rocks and boulders to rejoin the ridge.
The narrow ridge now drops to a large boulder, followed by another
gap before climbing again to Suidhe
Fhearghas. Look out here for the large overhanging block
perched above Glen Sannox, with stunning views of the glen. From here
the route down eases considerably, running down a stepped ridge with
a well-marked path.
At the far end of the ridge as the ground again drops steeply move
left and cross a slab to reach level ground below. Here take the path
to the right and descend the vegetated slopes down to Glen
Sannox - above.
The abandoned mine tips and buildings provide a good marker to aim
for, and from the old mine a good track takes you down join the
stream in the glen bottom. From here the path leads to a bridge and
retracing the first outwards bound steps from the day before to reach
Sannox.
