📌 The Fannichs, Highland
★★★★
For an exhilarating sense of open space and big sky views, there’s perhaps nowhere better to be than this airy spot at the heart of the Fannichs range south of Ullapool. Three Munros lie north to south along a sinuous ridge, with grassy slopes on the west side but majestic cliffs to the east. The rest of the Fannichs are all in view at these two compass points, with flatter land in other directions interrupted by the rocky massifs of An Teallach and the Torridon Hills. Paths along the tops and stalking routes in the glens make for generally good going, though pathless ascents and descents are necessary at the start and end of the ridge. The whole circuit makes for a truly excellent, satisfying hill day.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Loch a’ Bhraoin 
Path above Loch a’ Bhraoin 
Allt Breabaig 
Allt Breabaig with Meall a’ Chrasgaidh (left) & Sgùrr nan Clach Geala (right) 
Long approach through the glen 
Pathless ascent to Cadha na Guite – aim for the left of the small crags 
Sgùrr Breac 
Ridge ascent to Sgùrr nan Each 
View down the Allt Leac a’ Bhealaich from Sgùrr nan Each 
Sgùrr nan Clach Geala from Sgùrr nan Each 
Sgùrr nan Clach Geala (left) & Sgùrr Mòr (right) from Sgùrr nan Each 
Ptarmigan 
Looking back to Sgùrr nan Each from Sgùrr nan Clach Geala 
An Teallach 
Sgùrr nan Clach Geala summit 
Sgùrr Mòr from Sgùrr nan Clach Geala 
View back to Sgùrr nan Clach Geala from the descent] 
Way ahead to Meall a’ Chrasgaidh 
Lochan on the route to Meall a’ Chrasgaidh 
Loch a’ Mhadaidh 
An Teallach from Meall a’ Chrasgaidh 
Sgùrr nan Clach Geala from the descent of Meall a’ Chrasgaidh 
Back at the Allt Breabaig
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on the A832 3 mi west of the A832 junction, Braemore
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 161761
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.737246,-5.089999
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Layby
📝 Key info
▶ 18 km / 11 mi | ▲ 1100 m | ⌛ 7.5-8.5 hr
Features: 💧 Loch a’ Bhraoin; △ Sgùrr nan Each (922 m, Munro); △ Sgùrr nan Clach Geala (1093 m, Munro); △ Meall a’ Chrasgaidh (934 m, Munro)
⬤ Tough | Fairly good path for approach through glen, some boggy patches, then steep and pathless ascent to Cadha na Guite. Ridge mostly has a path, before pathless and very steep descent on grass and heather. Final ATV track is faint and boggy in places. Burn crossing near start may be inadvisable after rain – alternatively use return route vehicle bridge as shown on map.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit with extension to Sgùrr nan Each: start – cross footbridge at Loch a’ Bhraioin outflow – ford burn at 🧭 NH 161741 – bealach at 🧭 NH 175706 by glen path – Cadha na Guite – Sgùrr nan Each – return to Cadha na Guite – Sgùrr nan Clach Geala – Meall a’ Chrasgaidh – descend to west – join ATV track near glen floor – cross vehicle bridge at 🧭 NH 163748 – rejoin outward route at Loch a’ Bhraioin – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Ptarmigan and frogs on Sgùrr nan Clach Geala. Fish in the burns; small birds.
Weather: Unbroken sunshine to start, a few clouds popping up. 20°C at glen level, moderate breeze.
July 2018
