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
- Prominence
- 198 m
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 873 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH181343
- Parking
- NH220316
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 50km
- 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 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 mapping before the drive from Cannich.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:59
- Sunset
- 21:54
- Civil dawn
- 04:02
- Civil dusk
- 22:51
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 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
- Is Carn nan Gobhar a hard climb?
- 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. Ground conditions: The east ridge from Mullardoch dam is rough heathery hillside with no clear path until a faint stalkers' line takes shape higher up.
- How much drop does Carn nan Gobhar have?
- The drop is 198m: measured from the summit of Carn nan Gobhar down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Carn nan Gobhar?
- Park at NH220316. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Carn nan Gobhar?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Carn nan Gobhar. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Carn nan Gobhar?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Carn nan Gobhar?
- No signal in the Mullardoch area. The Loch Mullardoch dam parking has no coverage. Download mapping 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.
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