Sgor Gaoith and minor tops
Hillwalking route up Sgor Gaoith and its minor tops
The long ridge of Sgor Gaoith and Sgoran Dubh Mor runs north-south between Glen Feshie and Glen Einich. On the Glen Feshie side, these peaks form a soft rolling landscape which contrasts with the impressive cliff and crags on the other side above Loch Einich.
Route outline
| Munros | ||||
| Ascent | 1020m (3340ft) | |||
| Distance | 15km (9m) | |||
| Time | 5:30hr | |||
| Start/finish | Nr Balachroick Grid Ref : NN852013 | |||
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The approach for this route starts in Glen Feshie, blanketed in forestry plantations. The landscape formed by Sgor Gaoith and its subsiduary tops rises from the glen and its forestry on gentle gradients, clad in Caledonian woodland lower down and heather higher up.
A fine network of estate tracks makes for fairly easy hiking on approaches, leading to paths climbing up to the higher ground. Hillwalking on Sgor Gaoith and Sgoran Dubh Mor is straightforward, predominantly on wide grassy covered crests, though in winter beware the cornices that can form above the crags overlooking Loch Einich.
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Route description
1. Getting to Glen Feshie
Sgoran Dubh Mor and Sgor Gaoith above Glen Feshie
South of Aviemore on the B970 and near Kincraig, the road crosses the River Feshie at Feshiebridge. On the north side of this bridge, there is a red telephone box, with a road sign pointing down to Auchlean. Head down this road for around 4km, passing the gliding club and just before reaching Glen Feshie Hostel.
Just north of where the road crosses the Allt Ruadh via a bridge, there is an opening on the left-hand side of the road (east side), with the start of a forestry track with plenty of parking.
2. Meall Buidhe
Sgoran Dubh Mor from Meall Buidhe
Leave the parking area behind and start up the forestry track through the forest. Out of the forest, the track splits, take the middle track heading uphill. The track continues uphill through woodlands for a further 2km and it splits just before meeting with a burn coming down from Coire na Cloiche 
.
Take the path on the right, cross the burn, then leave the path and head due east up heather-clad slopes (I like to de-tour north-east to bag Geal-charn
).
Now up onto the bouldery crest, head south-east to Meall Buidhe 
.
3. Sgor Gaoith
Summit of Sgor Gaoith
South-east of Meall Buidhe's cairn, the boulders are less as some height is dropped to a dip. Beyond this a grassy slope climbs towards the bealach between Sgoran Dubh Mor and Sgor Gaoith.
At the bealach, turning north, an easy stroll over more grass is all that awaits to attain Sgoran Dubh Mor's domed summit 
with wonderful views.
About-turn, head south and a delightful walk over more grass reaches Sgor Gaoith's summit 
overlooking crags dropping quite dramatically to Loch Einich below.
4. Return to Glen Feshie
Descending Sgor Gaoith to Glen Feshie
From Sgor Gaoith's summit, head south-west for around 500m, then begin to descend, gradually turning west. As height is lost, heather thickens, but you should be able to find an obvious and well-worn footpath through.
The path turns north-west to drop to the Allt a'Chrom-alltain 
, from where it is followed back to the burn coming down from Coire na Cloiche, from where re-trace your steps to Glen Feshie.
Route profile »
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Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Cairngorms and Monadhliath |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Northern Cairngorms Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Sgor Gaoith and Mullach Clach a'Bhlair from Glen Feshie | |
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Above Glen Feshie, Sgor Gaoith and Mullach Clach a'Bhlair are two Munros that lie in the heart of Rothiemurchus, a vast area of Caledonian forest, lochs, rivers, glens, mountains, and wild landscapes. The high ground, known as the Moine Mhor, is fairly featureless for the most part, but fortunately some good paths and tracks aid navigation. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1100m (3610ft) Distance : 26km (16m) Time : 8:20hr |
Sgor Gaoith and Braeriach from Loch Einich | |
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Between forested Glen Feshie and the famed Lairig Ghru is Loch Einich surrounding by high undulating ground with the impressive Munro summits of Braeriach and Sgor Gaoith situated at opposite sides. Possibly one of the best ways to do this route is to back-pack, camping by one of the little lochans on the Moine Mhor plain. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1680m (5510ft) Distance : 42km (26m) Time : 9hr |
Leathad an Taobhain from Glen Feshie | |
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A bike on estate tracks through beautiful Glen Feshie, followed by some thigh-busting uphills gets close to Leathad an Taobhain's summit. Only a hike of just over 1km remains ! Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 900m (2950ft) Distance : 33km (21m) Time : 4:20hr |
Carn Dearg Mor and Meallach Mhor | |
|
From the forests surrounding Drumguish, a cycle on estate tracks through quiet Glen Tromie leads to a remote corner of the western Cairngorms, from where much hiking over heather and grass bags Carn Dearg Mor and Meallach Mhor. Peaks : 2 Corbetts
Ascent : 1040m (3410ft) Distance : 41km (25m) Time : 6:45hr |
