📌 Atholl, Perth & Kinross
★★★★
This is a Cairngorms classic. More massif than mountain, Beinn a’ Ghlo comprises a fine trio of Munros along a magnificent, sinuous and initially hidden ridge above Blair Atholl, surrounded by no less than 19 coires. In fact this is probably the best ridge walk in the southern Cairngorms, with easy high-level walking bookended by a steep ascent and descent. Airgiod Bheinn’s sculpted form is the silver lining in the long return, literally – the name translates as Silver Hill. Speaking of the return, half of the 6 km home run along the valley floor is on a soft stalkers’ path which provides a relaxing finish if the ground is dry, but notorious for bog following heavy rain.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Loch Moraig 
Approach to Carn Liath, the first Munro 
Carn Liath 
Looking back from the ascent 
Final approach to the summit 
Carn Liath summit 
View ahead towards Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain 
Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (left) & Carn nan Gabhar (right) 
View ahead from Beinn Mhaol 
Ascent to Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (the second Munro) 
Looking back to Carn Liath 
Airgiod Bheinn (right) & Carn nan Gabhar (left) from the south ridge of Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain 
Final approach to Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain summit 
Patterned rock near Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain summit 
Northeast ridge of Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain, looking back to the summit 
Carn nan Gabhar (the third Munro) from the descent to Bealach an Fhiodha 
Glas Leathad from Bealach an Fhiodha 
Airgiod Bheinn from the final ascent to Carn nan Gabhar 
Carn nan Gabhar trig point, with the true summit beyond 
View east into Gleann Fearnach 
Carn nan Gabhar true summit, north of the trig point 
Looking back to Carn nan Gabhar from Airgiod Bheinn 
View west to Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain from Airgiod Bheinn 
Airgiod Bheinn south ridge 
Start of the descent towards the Allt Coire Lagain from Airgiod Beinn 
Steep descent off Airgiod Bheinn 
Airgiod Bheinn from the return path
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at end of minor road by Loch Moraig, 2 mi northeast of Blair Atholl
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 906671
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.782674,-3.792464
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park (charge)
📝 Key info
▶ 22 km / 14 mi | ▲ 1300 m | ⌛ 8-9 hr
Features: △ Carn Liath (976 m, Munro); △ Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain (1070 m, Munro); △ Carn nan Gabhar (1121 m, Munro); △ Airgiod Bheinn (1061 m)
⬤ Tough | Track near car park, otherwise paths throughout. Some soggy spots near the start have recently been improved; long return from Airgiod Bheinn is boggy after rain. Steep, loose gradients to Carn Liath and from Airgiod Bheinn. Otherwise excellent ridge walking, although path briefly faint before Bealach an Fhiodha.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit with extension to Carn nan Gabhar: start – Carn Liath – Beinn Mhaol – Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain – Bealach an Fhiodha – Carn nan Gabhar – Airgiod Bheinn – cross Allt na Beinne Bige northeast of Beinn Bheag – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Roaring of stags and later gunfire in the coires either side of the ridge – stalking season! Thousands of migrating birds on the drive to the start. Grouse calls, numerous spindly spiders.
Weather: Murky and overcast to west, sunshine to east, and light winds. Temperatures in single figures until late in the day.
October 2015
