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Name:An Cruachan
Hill number:944
Height:705m / 2313ft
RHB Section:12B: Killilan to Inverness
County/UA:Highland
Catchment:Catchment Boundaries, Alsh & Duich, Beauly
Watershed:Cardiff to Cape Wrath, Dover to Cape Wrath, Lowestoft to Duncansby Head, Land's End to John o' Groats, Inner Moray Firth, The Lizard to Dunnet Head
Class:Marilyn, Hump, Simm, Graham, Yeaman
(Ma,Hu,Tu,Sim,G,Y)
Grid ref:NH 09384 35861
Summit feature:large cairn
Drop:237m
Col:468m  NH091348  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 25
(1:25k) 429
Survey:Abney level
Change log:show changes for this hill entry
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill

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Logged Descriptions  (logged by 141 users)ByDate of Ascent
Parked at the Uisge Misgeach power station. Walked along glen initially on landrover track and then onto stalkers path further on which takes you all the way to the Clach an Daimh bealach at which point AC come into view across the open expanse of rough ground ahead. This 2 mile section was a bit of a slog. I aimed for the boulder piles which are about 1/2 way across, winding through and around many peat hags and tussocky ground on route. Thought this would make a good place to stop to break up the arduous journey but infortunatley the midges also liked this spot so didn't stop long!! The next mile didn't seem so bad and before long I was on the easy east slopes up to the bealach and then a pleasant stroll up the ridge to summit with large cairn. Great 360 views of the vast expanse of wilderness many miles from any road. On way back I took a line just north of the boulder piles and then headed directly to and over the Tump MBaF which didn't seem so bad to negotiate on way backJossker17/08/2023
Parked at the power station at the west end of the Strathfarrar road. There was some kind of major maintenance going on with several vans and lots of workers, but no one seemed to mind me parking there and I got a friendly wave. Usual route up the track then the path to the col Clach an Daimh, then rough and pathless with loads of peat hags as far as Allt Riabhachain, crossing at the 400m contour. After that grassier and fewer peat hags up to the window on the ridge at the 530m contour, then an easy grassy plod from there. On such a remote Graham was surprised to meet a bagger at the top who had come up from Iron Lodge with his delightful cavapoo. Returned on the same general route but taking a slightly higher, less haggy line up to Clach an Daimh and diverting to bag Marilyn Meallan Odhar Doire nan Gillean.Owen B22/06/2023
from Maol-buidhe bothy on way back out to Iron Lodge. Worth doing the whole ridge of 3 Tumps. Ascent of An Cruachan first and then descent of Beinn Bheag with return via lower track to path junction ( and the bulk of the luggage). Very dry conditions helped as lower path would otherwise be very boggy.sarahk11/06/2023
Walked from Iron Lodge on good tracks/grass paths almost to top. Carn na Breabaig on descent from west end of Loch Mhoicean -an easy way up!dave g28/05/2023
Cycled to Iron Lodge about 1hour40 just after cairn on high point of Coire nan Each left track onto atv track bit boggy up to south ridge of An Cruachan on grass to summit return same way.rogreeves27/03/2023
By bike to Iron Lodge and overnight camp. Track from Loch Mhoicean onwards like a quagmire. Looks like an ATV has been down there this summer which made it easier to follow. Long day as packed up camp and cycled out.Crumblie205/08/2022
An Cruachan and Carn na Breabaig on day 1 of a record breaking heat wave? Well, shouldn't be a problem if you believe the Met Office forecast of 20 C for An Socach. Er, wrong, it was warm enough to melt my twix bars. The bike ride to and from Iron Lodge was fine, but the track up to Loch Mhoicean is very sheltered, so baking hot. Nice breeze around the Loch and the Coire nan Each bog/path, but the S face of An Cruachan was unbelievably hot. Back on the path and track to about 500m SW of SW end of loch where an ATV track goes easily up to the end of the upper N ridge of Carn na Breabaig so avoiding the hags below. Over the top in proper wind but still hot; steep down to Iron Lodge. All done very slowly to avoid heat stroke, plus 5L of fluids. A bit disappointed with An Cruachan; it's a just a wart on the side of An Socach. Carn na Breabaig is much better.Gill18/07/2022
Wild camp near Loch an Droma - Carn na Breabaig - An Socach - An Cruachan - Coire nan Each - Iron Lodge - Camas-luiniedavidpettit8402/06/2022
Beinn Beag and An Cruachan after a terrible bivi (midges) just off west side. Then back to Iron Lodge.dickscroop26/08/2021
From the power station at the road end of Strathfarrar after crossing the two dams. The path is good for the first 5.5kms then it disappears so I just picked a route trying to avoid the worst of the peat hags. The approach is rough however and at a further 6.5kms seemed endless. 7 hours and 23km in total though this included a short reascent to the summit as the cloud lifted after I had left.Peterb15/08/2021
From Killilan with Mark G on our bikes. Walked from Iron Lodge on a day that started with drizzle and steadily improved. 28.5 mile round trip including Breabaig as well. 9 and a half hours. Remarkably we saw a badger close to the top of the bealach.bolton10/07/2021
Cycled from Killilan to Iron Lodge then over Braebag and on to An Cruschan. Coire nan Each path looks like the was once a decent vehicle track but now it's mostly soft grass and in places wet.Topographer5726/06/2021
From Carnach. Followed Watershed from An Cruachan to Creag Glas (with a bivvi).jimbloomer29/04/2019
Cycled from Killilan to Iron Lodge and walked from there. Should have crossed the stream as soon as I started descending from Loch Mhoicean, but didn't notice the faint path, but used it on the return, and it's definitely better than on the NW side. still a lot of Rough tussocky terrain to get through. No views.IanHHill13/08/2018
MC MH. Climbed from Inverinate Estate using a bike to just beyond Iron Lodge. Over 30 def in the glen, no wind and clouds of clegs. The estate road being upgraded. Round trip in 8hr 30 mins with a half hour snooze on top.Martin6627/06/2018
Cycled in to Iron Lodge. Lovely walk over An Cruachan and then back to North of the Loch to climb Carn nan Breabag. Great walk lovely weather.JulieB24/05/2018
Long overnight route from Killilan. Left 10.20am, walked past Iron lodge then up SSW ridge of Aonach Buidhe to summit, detoured to top approx 400m to W,then return to summit and followed NE ridge to An Creachal Beag and Aonach Cas. Descent off ridge ENE using stalkers path then across stream and ascent to the very remote An Cruachan - good views as for the rest of the day. Descent SSW back down to glen and followed path to S end of Loch Mhoicean. From here took fairly direct route to summit of Carn na Breabaig 10.20pm, pitched tent. Woke up to bright sunshine and outstanding views to the Affric mountains with cloud in the glens. Descended WSW to Iron Lodge and long walk back to car.RobertP04/07/2017
Parked at West end of Strathfarrar. 4 Munros on south side of glen, followed by An Cruachan as a short diversion on the way back. 26km, 2100m up and down. Lady at the gate her usual cheery self: gave me a bollocking for driving up to the gate 3 minutes before 9am!PGCE03/07/2017
CK SheilaS01/05/2017
with Peter Cottam, cycled to Iron Lodge Galltywenallt28/04/2017
From Killillan. 4H 10m to summit. Returned over Carn na Breabaig. Total 45.2k in just under 9 hours.NormanW06/04/2017
1 of 2: From Killilan. Bike to Iron Lodge.ChrisR16/10/2016
A lovely bike ride to Iron Lodge. Then a bit of a long plod out to get this one. Remote and beautiful landscape. Back by the long traverse to Breabaig.jenx14/08/2016
Parked at roadhead nr Killilan and cycled the 14km to Iron Lodge on a reasonable road/track. Then the old track-part 4x4 line for 9km the latter part boggy then cut up to the col at 520m and beeline to a superb top. Traversed An Socach to the 500 m col below Carn na Breabaig as way out.nordicstar14/08/2016
Up Glen Elchaig to Iron Lodge, up to Loch Mhoicean and then rising traverse and onto summit. Superb views. Not a single sign of habitation. Remote.Campbell Singer07/06/2016
long day from Monar damdmckeith05/05/2016
cycled to iron lodge done carn na breabaig on way back.robertphillips06/09/2014
A fine hill with outstanding views through 360 degrees.richtea504002/05/2014
Solo HFB31/05/2013
Cycled to Iron Lodge. Back via Breabaig.AndrewFinnimore06/04/2013
selfdavidsbatty02/04/2013
An Cruachan - the most remote peak of all! (NH 093359) S/F NG 947282 Full pack to loch at NH 017276 (2 nights) then day pack to peak. Blisteringly hot throughout, 30 degrees at 1500' at 6 pm! Clear sky giving supurb views to all peaks. Another alien! A stag(?) that sounded like a barking dog - I know what a stag should sound like and it's not like that!John Young01/08/2012
one of finestThearlaichdubh15/06/2011
Walked from carpark by power station for Loch Monar, following track, path and then cross country aiming for the hill. Fortunately the weather just about held, but no real view from the summit.JohnW21/06/2010
solodonmeister17/06/2006
Self and came in by bikefergie01/06/2003
On the TGO ChallengeBLACKHILL12/05/2002
fine isolated hill, compact summit, antepenultimate Graham (failed Dec99). s'farrar to power sta 183381, decent tk to col then +/- grass to summit, good approach RHW24/12/2000
Round os An Cruachan and Beinn Dronaig from Bendronaig Lodge. Called in at Maol Bhuidhe but they didn't take the hint so departed without a cup of tea.Eddie15/05/2000
Tricky04/05/2023
scott duncan27/08/2022
FCL08/05/2022
FCL05/05/2022
SunnyAdventures26/03/2022
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patrick21/07/2021
alda27/05/2021
GavinTheobald 322/04/2021
govanah04/08/2019
Gallovidian28/07/2019
Renvoo25/04/2019
IainK13/04/2019
weaselmaster22/09/2018
Sick Kid22/09/2018
Tom Mundell04/08/2018
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sarah mundell04/08/2018
borderline31/05/2018
daviemore31/05/2018
highlandhillwalker29/05/2018
anne336626/05/2018
Wayne Morris12/04/2018
Simon Winton29/10/2017
silverhow26/05/2017
AndyS22/04/2017
foggieclimber27/01/2017
weaselmaster23/08/2016
Sick Kid23/08/2016
needanewdog29/05/2016
bertbarnett12307/05/2016
Martin R14/03/2016
TONY DEALL10/10/2015
Tony S12/09/2015
iainwalton23/06/2014
N.Morters21/06/2014
DaveMcS31/05/2014
Winterfloodian29/05/2014
RichardM10/05/2014
Denise 10/05/2014
Kompass08/07/2013
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Norrie Muir11/11/2012
chrispine19/07/2012
Martyn125/06/2012
hughbagger04/06/2012
GavinTheobald 202/05/2011
mae22/05/2010
kathyh17/08/2009
petesimpson13/08/2009
LizH24/05/2009
PeterAH24/05/2009
hill walker23/05/2009
BrianJ19/05/2009
Chris Peart09/05/2009
Colin Crawford09/05/2009
iaindbrown20/04/2009
Fletch11/04/2009
grumpy05/10/2008
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Wycombe Wanderer05/06/2008
RCFC02/06/2008
Isbjorn25/05/2008
PeteN08/05/2008
bertbarnett12307/05/2008
Alan Whatley20/04/2008
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neilsan29/07/2007
tallscottishguy06/05/2006
alda16/04/2006
Alison R16/04/2006
Jim.Fothergill21/07/2005
Dave McG13/10/2004
IainT24/05/2004
interloper11/05/2004
johnbarnard2525/04/2004
Colin Crawford14/04/2003
ChrisU05/04/2003
GaryJones01/01/2003
Gavin Theobald00/00/2003
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