Geal Charn and A'Mharconaich

Richard Hardy

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The start point for this walk is above 400m and so this is a real head start, which gives even the less fit hill-walker the chance of bagging two Munros in a half-day or short day walk. The views from the summits are fantastic, with a panorama taking in the Monadliath, the Cairngorms, Beinn A'Ghlo and the Ben Alder Massive, with sneaky views of how the other half live in Ben Alder Lodge, on which £20 million was recently spent! This remains however, a serious hill-walk and even in summer the weather can be unpredictable. Snow can remain here into May and so hill-walking skills and proper mountain clothing are appropriate. In winter you will need to carry an ice axe and crampons and be able to use them. With one exception however, this is a route with no major dangers and as such is a good practice ground for recently acquired skills, particularly in winter when the slopes are snow-covered.

Descending from the summit of A'Marconaich there is a need to navigate around a cliff face. Whilst this is not problematic in good visibility, the possibility of bad or zero visibility which is ever-present on any Munro summit means that experience in walking on a bearing and pacing is vital. Some of the ground can be boggy. There is plenty of chance to see wildlife and on our visits we photographed grouse and arctic hares.

Scotland - Highlands and Islands - Highland - Cairngorms