Marilyn · kintail
Carn Bad a' Chreamha
Carn Bad a Chreamha, the cairn of the wild garlic clump, is a 633m heather hill in the wide country between Glen Elchaig and the head of Loch Long near Killilan. The view extends east to the Five Sisters and west across Loch Long to Plockton.
Quick facts
- Height
- 633.3m/ 2078ft
- Grid ref
- NG 92581 26449
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 76km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 65% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%
Best from Killilan at the head of Loch Long via the estate track up Glen Elchaig, then a stiff pull south onto the heather flank. Around 5 hours including the inward track. A bike on the estate road saves an hour.
Terrain
Glen Elchaig estate track for the first miles, then open hillside of heather, deer-grass and short scattered rock. The lower glen has the eponymous wild garlic in spring, lining the burnsides.
In winter
At 633m the summit holds snow through January and February most years and the broad heather flanks can be slow going under a soft cover. Avalanche risk is low but the descent in poor light is awkward. Axe and crampons useful from mid-December.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 48m
- Edinburgh7h 46m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25, OS Landranger 33, OS Explorer 413N
Mobile signal: Poor. Glen Elchaig is a deep glen with little reception; signal returns on the upper hill looking west to Plockton.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:24
- Sunset
- 22:20
- Civil dawn
- 03:15
- Civil dusk
- 23:30
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Carn Bad a' Chreamha on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Carn Bad a' Chreamha — common questions
- How hard is Carn Bad a' Chreamha?
- Carn Bad a' Chreamha is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Glen Elchaig estate track for the first miles, then open hillside of heather, deer-grass and short scattered rock.
- When is the best time to climb Carn Bad a' Chreamha?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn Bad a' Chreamha are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Bad a' Chreamha?
- 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 Bad a' Chreamha?
- Poor. Glen Elchaig is a deep glen with little reception; signal returns on the upper hill looking west to Plockton.
- Is Carn Bad a' Chreamha safe in winter?
- At 633m the summit holds snow through January and February most years and the broad heather flanks can be slow going under a soft cover. Avalanche risk is low but the descent in poor light is awkward. Axe and crampons useful from mid-December.
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