M181 | 975 m. | 3199 ft.
Translation: Grey hill
Pronuncation: kaarn lee-a

The first hike of the 2008 holiday saw Frank and me parking our rented car at the end of the public road at Loch Moraig. The weather was not all that promising but that did not put us off the task ahead. One of the great hills of the Central Highlands. Ok, we hiked up the track which leads out onto the open moor to the two ruined shacks where the path up the southwest ridge of Carn Liath commences.

We climbed the path which is very well visible even in bad weather. Someone should perhaps consider spending some money on repairing this scar. In line with the steepness of the terrain we gained height quickly and reached the summit of Carn Liath in due time. From the summit we continued due north. Then the clouds lifted and we could see the way ahead. A great view. The continuing ridge over Beinn Mhaol snaked in front of us. Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgian was visible as was Argoid Bheinn. Complex ridges, wide views, snow, grass and scree.

We continued our walk to Bheinn Mhaol. Rain set in, the clouds closed in on us and soon it was a typical Scottish day on the hills. We reached the col between Bheinn Mhaol and Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgian and started the climb up the west ridge of the latter hill. The path veered to the north, we followed the corniced corrie rim to the right of us and bumped into the summit cairn. Frank and I touched it and went on. After a few hundred metres we found the steep snow-covered descent to the col between Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgian and Argoid Bheinn. From the col we climbed the flank of the hill and veered north. Touching one or two further cairns on our way to the summit we finally made it to Carn an Gobhar. There the obligatory break for some water, sweets and photographs was called. The views were very nice from the summit of the highest Munro of the group of hills. But, it was also quite cold and Frank and me decided to start the return leg of the walk. Retracing our steps over the wide ridge we headed for the summit of Argoid Bheinn which we traversed and continued down the steep south-west ridge. The path zigzagged down the ridge.

Further down we struck across the corrie, crossed the Allt Bealach an Fhiodha and climbed the opposite bank. The path we reached was very boggy. Walking, jumping and getting out feet wet was the order of the following hour. Rats! Well, later than sooner the conditions became better and we finally, finally reached the Land Rover track which after another 45 minutes took us back to the starting point of our expedition. Beinn a’ Ghlo proved to be a “hill of the mist” alright. But we also had nice views and the mountain range was very beautiful indeed. A perfect start to a hiking holiday and truly a superb ensemble of hills.


Description These two mountains form a long and fairly level ridge on the north side of Coire Ardair, facing Creag Meagaidh across the head of the corrie. Carn Liath is a rather rounded hill rising directly above Aberarder, but Stob Poite Coire Ardair forms a more impressive ridge whose south face drops steeply to the head of Coire Ardair. The north side of these mountains drops towards very remote country at the watershed between Glen Roy and the headwaters of the Spey.The traverse starts at Aberarder and follows the path towards Coire Ardair for about 1½ kilometres. At the birch trees go north-east up a faint path by some old fence posts to the shallow col north of Na Cnapanan. From there continue north up easy slopes to Carn Liath. Go west along a broad ridge over two tops beyond which a level crest leads to Stob Poite Coire Ardair. Continue south-west down the ridge for ½ kilometre, then descend south to the well defined col called The Window and turn east down steep boulder slopes to Lochan a' Choire where the path back to Aberarder is reached.