Munros around Loch Ossian
A circular hiking route taking in the Munros Beinn na Lap, Sgor Gaibhre and Carn Dearg
Best reached by a train journey, the remote area surrounding Loch Ossian is a delight to hike in and explore. To bag the three Munros surrounding the Loch - Beinn na Lap, Sgor Gaibhre and Carn Dearg, start at lonely Corrour Halt.
Route outline
Munros | ||||
Ascent | 1550m (5080ft) | |||
Distance | 26km (16m) | |||
Time | 9:00hr | |||
Start/finish | Corrour Halt Grid Ref : NN356664 | |||
Terrain |
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Effort |
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Scenery |
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Beinn na Lap's gently rising slopes are grass covered on which a faint path travels most of the way to the summit. Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre are more challenging with heather on lower ground and steeper crests.
The estate has seen significant investment over recent years with tracks being upgraded and cyclable. The SYHA Ossian Hostel is a lovely place to stay if you fancy spending more time here.
If you've got time before getting the train back, finish the day off with a bite to eat at Corrour Restaurant by the train-halt.
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Route description
1. Getting to Corrour Halt
Starting on the track from Corrour Halt towards Loch Ossian
Corrour Halt is the country's highest train station and is on the West Highland Line which travels from Glasgow to Fort William and onto Mallaig. Corrour Halt can't be accessed by road, the nearest stations that can are Rannoch to the south and Tulloch to the north.
Should you not wish to travel to Corrour by train, there are fine estate tracks that can be cycled or walked on instead. One travels for the best part of 30km from Moy on Loch Laggan, another slightly shorter route but with more climbing heads in from Loch Eigheach near Rannoch Station.
Open from April to October is Corrour Station House Restaurant - worth making a reservation if you fancy something to eat after your time on the hills.
The SYHA Ossian Hostel is a lovely place to stay if you fancy spending more time here.
2. Beinn na Lap
Beinn na Lap from the western end of Loch Ossian
From Corrour Halt, follow the track down towards Loch Ossian. Just before the loch, the track splits , turn left (west).
Over a bridge, a sign points to Loch Treig , leave the track here and start up a (usually) wet path aiming directly up the hillside ahead. A gentle slog through wet grass reaches the south-west shoulder of Beinn na Lap.
On the crest an obvious path is picked up and followed north-east towards Beinn na Lap's summit. The remains of a shelter (facing Loch Ossian) are met, from where turn slightly left and downhill to reach a small lochan with Beinn na Lap's summit just beyond. A large cairn on the summit provides some shelter from any winds.
3. Sgor Choinnich
Heading up Sgor Choinnich
Return to the ruined shelter , then aim south-south-east downhill towards the forest's western edge. Descent is more heather covered than ascent - watch out for hidden boulders !
Further down, aim for stile over the high deer fence then cross wet ground to reach the track around Loch Ossian.
Turn left and follow the track though the forest to the north-east end of the loch.
At a junction with memorial plaque , turn right and go past the boat house with its grass roof. Have a peak at the unusual lodge with its glass conical frontage.
Over a bridge, the track splits , take the left fork to the cottages. Past the cottages and Corrour Venison warehouse, continue uphill on a track to reach a small dam .
Cross the burn just beyond the dam then aim directly for Meall Nathrach Mor. The ground is clad in heather, but gradually gives way to grass higher up for easy progress to the Munro Top, Sgor Choinnich .
4. Sgor Gaibhre
Sgorr Gaibhre from Sgor Choinnich
From Sgor Choinnich's summit, turn south and descend over grass and boulders to pick up a faint path to follow to grassy Bealach na Sgor . Uphill on a path that zig-zags, a climb of 150m leads to Sgor Gaibhre's small summit cairn - a lovely spot to enjoy views over Loch Ericht.
5. Carn Dearg
Carn Dearg from Sgorr Gaibhre
To continue from Sgor Gaibhre's summit to Carn Dearg, aim west-south-west downhill following an obvious path over grassy ground to Mam Ban (meaning 'white pass') . This bealach is peaty and can be quite soggy depending on the season.
Easy progress continuing along the path as it starts climbing gently uphill aiming towards Carn Dearg.
Ascent gets steeper as the summit nears, with bouldery ground at the top. A large well-formed upright cairn rests on Carn Dearg's summit from where excellent views westwards can be savoured.
6. Return to Corrour Halt
Descending Carn Dearg
Follow Carn Dearg's north-west shoulder for just over 1km, then downhill westwards over heather (quite deep in bits).
Reach the junction in the path, where 'Peter's Rock' stands.
If ground is fairly dry, then follow the path that aims west to the western end of the loch.
If however the ground is pretty wet, it's more pleasant to aim north on a path from 'Peter's Rock', to reach a fire-break which can be followed directly down to the track, which in turn is traced to the western end of the loch. A further walk of 1km along the track reaches the train halt, where hopefully food or a drink awaits at the Station restaurant.
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Weather forecasts »
Regional | MWIS - Western Highlands |
Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
Seasonal | SAIS - Creag Meagaidh Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Beinn na Lap to Chno Dearg route from Laggan | |
Most people tackle Beinn na Lap on its own from Ossian. But combining this fairly remote Munro with nearby Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg and a cycle in from Laggan makes for a much more memorable day. Peaks : 3 Munros
Ascent : 1650m (5410ft) Distance : 42km (26m) Time : 8hr |
Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre | |
With the estate paths being upgraded, cycling to the foot of the Munros surrounding Loch Ossian is a joy. This route takes the most direct line to bag Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre, with a detour to the Corbett of Meall na Meoig of Beinn Pharlagain. Peaks : 2 Munros, option of 1 Corbett
Ascent : 1270m (4170ft) Distance : 27km (17m) Time : 5:10hr |
Leum Uilleim from Corrour | |
On the West Highland Line, Corrour Halt sits in an isolated spot in remote moorland. From this station, a short hillwalk heading up the broad shoulders of Leum Uilleim can be enjoyed on a circular route. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 550m (1800ft) Distance : 10km (6m) Time : 3:25hr |
Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain | |
East of Loch Treig are the two Munros of Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain. Very different in character and linked together by a vast grass-covered plateau, the easiest approach is from Fersit to the north-west. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1250m (4100ft) Distance : 16km (10m) Time : 6hr |