Glen Dessarry Circuit

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Sgurr nan Coireachan, Garbh Chioch Mhor & Sgurr na Chiche

Glen Dessarry Circuit is a route in “The Glen Dessarry” region / range which is located in the Loch Eil to Glen Shiel area of the Scottish Highlands as defined by the Scottish Mountaineering Club.

This is a mainly circular route but there are parts where you need to retrace you footsteps

The Glen Dessarry Circuit covers the 3 remote munros Sgurr nan Coireachan, Garbh Chioch Mhor & Sgurr na Chiche which are wild & rough and quite a way from any roads. Even with this routes remoteness there is a fairly clear path along the majority of the route and there is even a drystone wall running along part of the ridge to ease navigation.

Distance: 26km / 16 miles
Ascent: 1140m / 3741 feet
Time: 8 hours plus

There are 3 munros on the Glen Dessarry Circuit route and are listed below

MunroHeightOrderPronunciationMeaning
Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glen Dessary)953213Skoor nern KorrachunRocky peak of the corries
Garbh Chioch Mhor1013116Garav Cheeyerch VoarBig rough breast
Sgurr na Ciche104092Skoor nuh KeechyaRocky peak of the breast


Q MapGrid Ref.BearingDistance(km)Description
NM987915260° W0.6 (0.6)From the end of the public road follow the private track into Glen Dessarry
NM98109140310° NW1.7 (2.3)Pass the riuned barracks and contunue upto "Glendessarry"
NM968925289° WNW1.8 (4.1)Contiunue past "Glendessarry" upto "Upper Glendessarry"
NM951931290° WNW2.2 (6.3)Just before "Upper Glendessarry" is reached leave the track & cross style marked "Sourlies Bothy"
NM9300939013° NNE1.7 (8)Just past "Allt Coire nan Uth" follow small path up southern ridge of "Sgurr nan Choireachan"
NM93399552342° NNW0.3 (8.3)Pass the first top marked with cairn & onto the summit of "Sgurr nan Choireachan"; Then continue west dropping to bealach
Munro SummitNM933958253° WSW0.5 (8.8)The summit Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glen Dessary) (953 metres)
NM92809565282° WNW1.1 (9.9)From bealach there's a stone wall. Climb steeply onto "Garbh Chioch Beag"
NM91709590284° WNW0.8 (10.7)From "Garbh Chioch Beag" climb onto "Garbh Chioch Mhor" then drop steeply onto col beneath "Sgurr na Ciche"
Munro SummitNM909961320° NW0.5 (11.2)The summit Garbh Chioch Mhor (1013 metres)
NM90609647288° WNW0.4 (11.6)From col climb onto "Sgurr na Ciche"; return to this col descend steeply to the south west
Munro SummitNM902966162° SSE1 (12.6)The summit Sgurr na Ciche (1040 metres)
NM90509562117° ESE1.4 (14)From small burn follow down on wet grass to rejoin the path
NM91709500130° SE1.8 (15.8)Rejoin Path and continue back
NM93109380130° SE1.8 (17.6)Continue back along to road

Recommended Maps

cover of Loch Morar and Mallaig (Explorer Maps) cover of Mallaig and Glenfinnan, Loch Shiel (Landranger Maps) (Landranger Maps)
The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map, a compass, your navigation skills and common sense.
munro-madness.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.
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