NN9369 : North western spur from Carn Liath
Steep mountain walk; long circuit is strenuous

Beinn a' Ghlo - Carn Liath

976m Elevation
207m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NN9369 : North western spur from Carn Liath

Colin Park Photo source

Overview

Carn Liath, Beinn a’ Ghlo

Carn Liath is the 975.8 m Munro at the southern end of Beinn a’ Ghlo. Its summit is the large cairn beyond the trig point; the primary survey record places the cairn base 80 cm above the trig flush bracket. The other two Munros are separate summits.

Routes and return

Start at the charged Monzie-road car park near Loch Moraig, NN905671, before the cattle grid. Parking beyond the grid is prohibited. The approach follows the track to the shooting hut and the pitched path up Carn Liath. A standalone ascent returns along this same path and track. A verified standalone distance and time were not established, so the longer circuit’s figures should not be used for it.

The full circuit continues over Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain and Carn nan Gabhar. Its return retraces to Bealach an Fhiodha, descends south beside the burn, then uses the path around Beinn Bheag and the track back to the hut and car park. Walkhighlands gives 22 km, 1239 m ascent and 8–10 hours. This excludes the alternative steep Airgiod Bheinn descent. Navigate carefully on the descent from the middle Munro, and allow for boggy ground, burn crossings and repeated climbs.

Landscape and planning

Quartzite-supported heath and local limestone-related habitats are features of the Beinn a’ Ghlo conservation site. Keep to durable paths and avoid damaging vegetation.

This is exposed mountain terrain. Mist, wind and winter conditions can change the difficulty substantially. NatureScot’s estate guidance checked on 18 October 2026 gives Lude stalking from mid-August to mid-February, with no Sunday stalking. The wider circuit also crosses Atholl land, whose stag season runs from August to 20 October and hind season from 21 October to 15 February, with different rest days. Check current estate advice and cooperate with land management; these seasons do not amount to a blanket closure.

Blair Atholl is the local transport gateway, about 4 km from the start. Arrange the onward and return journey and carry mountain supplies; current trailhead facilities were not verified.

Sources checked: 18 October 2026.

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Carn Liath from the Monzie road near Loch Moraig, out and back

Start at the charged Monzie-road car park near Loch Moraig (NN905671), before the cattle grid. Follow the track to the shooting hut, then the pitched mountain path to Carn Liath's summit cairn beyond the trig point. Return down the same path, past the hut and along the outward track to the same car park. Walkhighlands explicitly describes this standalone return, but does not give a separate complete distance, ascent or duration on the hill page; none is inferred from the three-Munro circuit.

Steep mountain walk; navigation required

Beinn a' Ghlo three-Munro circuit from Loch Moraig

From Monzie-road parking (NN905671), climb Carn Liath by the hut and pitched path. Continue along the ridge and over Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain, descend carefully east to Bealach an Fhiodha, and climb Carn nan Gabhar to its true summit beyond the trig. Retrace to Bealach an Fhiodha, descend south beside the burn, cross it as the path requires, and take the improved path around Beinn Bheag. Turn right onto the track, rejoin the outward approach by the hut, and return to the same car park. Walkhighlands gives 22 km, 1239 m ascent and 8–10 hours for this full circuit. These totals exclude the steeper Airgiod Bheinn descent and are not Carn Liath-only figures.

22 km Strenuous multi-summit mountain circuit
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Munro Simm High Hills of Britain

Elevation

976m

3,201 ft

Prominence

207m

Coordinates

56.8078, -3.7441

NN936698

OS Map

43

Explorer: OL51E 394E

At the Summit

Large summit cairn at NN9360869822, beyond the trig point. The primary record places the cairn base 80 cm above the trig flush bracket.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky grassy and occasionally boggy near the base.

The Beinn a' Ghlo massif includes quartzite, which supports extensive acid heath, with local limestone-related soils and habitats. This is a varied geological setting; a blanket granite-core description is not supported by the conservation authority's account.

Views & Scenery

On a clear day, the summit offers views of the distant Cairngorms, various lochs, and fertile glens stretching across the Scottish Highlands.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Charged car park near the end of the public Monzie road, close to Loch Moraig, at NN905671. Park before the cattle grid; Walkhighlands states that parking beyond it is prohibited.

Public Transport

Walkhighlands identifies public transport to Blair Atholl, about 4 km from the walk start. Check current timetables and arrange the additional approach and return; no trailhead bus is assumed.

Nearby Facilities

Carry supplies for the mountain. Current toilets, catering and opening hours at the Monzie-road trailhead were not verified.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep rocky paths and descents, boggy ground and burn crossings require care; water levels can change.
  • The three-Munro circuit is long, with repeated ascent and descent. Finding the eastern descent from Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain requires particular care in mist.
  • High-level wind, cold, snow and ice can make either route substantially more serious; carry navigation equipment and appropriate skills.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

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Location

Beinn a' Ghlo - Carn Liath location map

Grid reference: NN936698

View on OpenStreetMap

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