Munro · Central Highlands
Carn nan Gobhar
Càrn nan Gobhar (992m) — "hill of the goats" — is one of two Munros of that name (this is the Mullardoch version on the south side of Loch Mullardoch, not the Strathfarrar Càrn nan Gobhar to the north). The hill is the easternmost summit of the famous Mullardoch four — Sgùrr na Lapaich, An Riabhachan, An Socach and Càrn nan Gobhar — and is typically the first or last summit on the long horseshoe round of Loch Mullardoch.
Quick facts
- Height
- 992.3m/ 3256ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 873 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH181343
- Parking
- NH220316
- Nearest city
- Inverness
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
Glen road / cycle 30% · Open hillside 40% · Ridge walk 30%
Start from the small car park at the Mullardoch dam at the east end of Loch Mullardoch. Climb directly north-west up the broad east ridge of Càrn nan Gobhar to the summit cairn. Most parties continue along the long undulating Mullardoch four-Munro round, traversing west to Sgùrr na Lapaich, An Riabhachan and An Socach before either reversing via the lochside or arranging a boat shuttle. The four-Munro round is around 26km with 1700m of ascent.
Terrain
The east ridge from Mullardoch dam is rough heathery hillside with no clear path until a faint stalkers' line takes shape higher up. The summit area of Càrn nan Gobhar is a broad mossy plateau with a small cairn at the high point. The connecting ridge west to Sgùrr na Lapaich is broad mossy turf. The south shore return along Loch Mullardoch is one of the longer rough walks in Scotland — slow and pathless.
In winter
A serious remote winter Munro. The full four-Munro Mullardoch traverse in winter is one of the longer single-day Scottish hill-days. Càrn nan Gobhar alone is the most accessible Munro of the group from the dam. The east ridge holds wind-loaded snow after westerly storms. There is no phone reception throughout the Mullardoch area. SAIS Northern Highlands is the relevant avalanche forecast.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 20m
- Edinburgh4h 42m
OS maps: OS Landranger 25
Mobile signal: No signal in the Mullardoch area. The Loch Mullardoch dam parking has no coverage. Download maps before the drive from Cannich.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:26
- Sunset
- 22:11
- Civil dawn
- 03:20
- Civil dusk
- 23:18
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Carn nan Gobhar.
Around Carn nan Gobhar on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Carn nan Gobhar — common questions
- How hard is Carn nan Gobhar?
- Carn nan Gobhar is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 873m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The east ridge from Mullardoch dam is rough heathery hillside with no clear path until a faint stalkers' line takes shape higher up.
- Where do I park for Carn nan Gobhar?
- Standard parking is at NH220316 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 nan Gobhar?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn nan Gobhar are 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 nan Gobhar?
- 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 nan Gobhar?
- No signal in the Mullardoch area. The Loch Mullardoch dam parking has no coverage. Download maps before the drive from Cannich.
- Is Carn nan Gobhar safe in winter?
- A serious remote winter Munro. The full four-Munro Mullardoch traverse in winter is one of the longer single-day Scottish hill-days. Càrn nan Gobhar alone is the most accessible Munro of the group from the dam. The east ridge holds wind-loaded snow after westerly storms. There is no phone reception throughout the Mullardoch area. SAIS Northern Highlands is the relevant avalanche forecast.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.