Graham · Central Highlands
Carn Gorm
Carn Gorm (677m) is the blue cairn of Strathglass, a quiet NH33 summit on the long ridge dividing Glen Cannich from Glen Strathfarrar. Set well back from the western Munros, it offers an introvert's panorama over Loch Mullardoch and across the deep cleft of Cannich toward the An Riabhachan group.
Quick facts
- Height
- 677.3m/ 2222ft
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 555 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH328355
- Parking
- NH302358
- Nearest city
- Inverness
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 55% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 15%
Park at Mullardoch Dam at the road-end west of Cannich and follow the northern lochside track for a kilometre. Strike north up the broad grassy spur of Carn na Coinnich beg, then traverse east along the broad watershed to the summit cairn. The going is rough but unrelenting in angle and the cairn sits on a small rise above peat-hag country.
Terrain
Lochside track, then peat hag and tussock grass for most of the climb. The summit dome is broad and easy underfoot but peppered with small lochans. The Mullardoch dam approach saves time but no path leads to the cairn itself.
In winter
Glen Cannich gets serious snow on west-facing flanks and Carn Gorm holds drifts well into spring. The vast empty bowl above Loch Mullardoch is a navigation nightmare in whiteout — featureless and immense. Ice axe sensible from December.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 18m
- Edinburgh4h 35m
OS maps: OS Landranger 26
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE intermittent on summit; better facing south toward Glen Lyon.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:01
- Civil dawn
- 03:30
- Civil dusk
- 23:04
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Carn Gorm on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dingwall station
Ben Wyvis approach; Easter Ross; junction for Kyle and Far North lines
32km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Inverness
Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North
35km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Glen Ord
Muir of Ord — Black Isle distillery; the Singleton range's Highland anchor
25km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn Gorm — common questions
- How hard is Carn Gorm?
- Carn Gorm is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 555m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Lochside track, then peat hag and tussock grass for most of the climb.
- Where do I park for Carn Gorm?
- Standard parking is at NH302358 near Inverness. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Carn Gorm?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn Gorm are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Carn Gorm?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Carn Gorm?
- Moderate. EE intermittent on summit; better facing south toward Glen Lyon.
- Is Carn Gorm safe in winter?
- Glen Cannich gets serious snow on west-facing flanks and Carn Gorm holds drifts well into spring. The vast empty bowl above Loch Mullardoch is a navigation nightmare in whiteout — featureless and immense. Ice axe sensible from December.