Munro · Central Highlands
A' Chailleach
A' Chailleach (930m) — "the old woman" — is the Monadhliath version of the name (the Fannaichs has a Munro of the same name). The hill sits at the eastern edge of the Monadhliath above Glen Banchor near Newtonmore, partnered with Càrn Sgulain on a typical Monadhliath two-Munro round. The summit is a broad mossy whaleback with a cairn and windshelter at the high point.
Quick facts
- Height
- 929.3m/ 3049ft
- Prominence
- 108 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 818 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH681041
- Parking
- NN693998
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 41km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
Glen track 40% · Open hillside 40% · Summit 20%
Drive west out of Newtonmore to the small parking area at the head of the Glen Banchor minor road. Walk west along the River Calder track for around 3km, then strike north up the broad south ridge of A' Chailleach. The summit windshelter is a useful refuge in wind. Most parties cross the broad bealach west to take in Càrn Sgulain. About 14km return with 700m climbed for the pair.
Terrain
The River Calder estate track gives reasonable walking. Above the glen the broad south ridge climbs through deep heather and intermittent path. Higher up the surface eases onto cropped mossy turf with scattered rocks. The summit windshelter is a sturdy stone-built enclosure providing genuine respite in poor weather.
In winter
A relatively benign Monadhliath winter Munro. The broad summit collects wind-blown snow but rarely produces avalanche-prone slopes. The Glen Banchor side road can drift but the A9 corridor at Newtonmore stays gritted. SAIS Creag Meagaidh is the nearest formal forecast indicator. Mobile reception fades above 700m.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 57m
- Edinburgh3h 2m
OS maps: OS Landranger 35
Mobile signal: No bars above 700m. The Glen Banchor road from Newtonmore has patchy coverage. Save maps ahead of you leave.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:57
- Sunset
- 21:49
- Civil dawn
- 04:01
- Civil dusk
- 22:45
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from A' Chailleach.
On a long-distance route
A' Chailleach sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around A' Chailleach on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kingussie station
Cairngorms south side; Glen Feshie; Insh Marshes; Monadhliath access
8km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Aviemore
Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train
23km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Dalwhinnie
Dalwhinnie — Scotland's highest distillery on the Drumochter pass
19km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
A' Chailleach — common questions
- Is A' Chailleach a hard climb?
- A' Chailleach is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 818m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Underfoot: The River Calder estate track gives reasonable walking.
- What is A' Chailleach's prominence?
- 108m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links A' Chailleach to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for A' Chailleach?
- Most walkers start from NN693998. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb A' Chailleach?
- May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on A' Chailleach. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is A' Chailleach dog-friendly?
- 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 A' Chailleach?
- No bars above 700m. The Glen Banchor road from Newtonmore has patchy coverage. Save maps ahead of you leave.
- Is A' Chailleach safe in winter?
- A relatively benign Monadhliath winter Munro. The broad summit collects wind-blown snow but rarely produces avalanche-prone slopes. The Glen Banchor side road can drift but the A9 corridor at Newtonmore stays gritted. SAIS Creag Meagaidh is the nearest formal forecast indicator. Mobile reception fades above 700m.
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