How hard is Carn nan Gobhar?

We grade Carn nan Gobhar at 5/5, which puts it in very challenging territory. The usual route is around 9km with 870m of climbing; allow 6-9 hours. Ground conditions: The Strathfarrar Càrn nan Gobhar summit is a broad mossy whaleback with a small cairn — the least dramatic of the four Strathfarrar tops in profile.

How much drop does Carn nan Gobhar have?

The drop is 137m: 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 NH245418. 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.

By Gary

Photo: Russel Wills / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Munro · North-West Highlands

Carn nan Gobhar

Càrn nan Gobhar (992m) — "hill of the goats" — is the Strathfarrar version of the name (there is another Càrn nan Gobhar of identical height on the south side of Loch Mullardoch). The hill is the third of the four Strathfarrar Munros from west to east, sitting between Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais and Sgùrr na Ruaidhe along the high crest above Glen Strathfarrar. Access through the Struy gate is regulated by the estate — verify the day's timings before driving in.

Quick facts

Height: 992m/ 3255ft
Prominence: 137 m
Distance: ~9 km
Ascent: ~870 m
Time: 6–9 hrs
Difficulty: 5 / 5Expert
Grid ref: NH273438
Parking: NH245418
Nearest city: Inverness· 39km
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

Remote glen approach 45% · Open hillside 35% · Summit 20%

9km · 870m ascent · 3.3 hrs

Refer to the Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill entry for the full four-Munro Strathfarrar ridge traverse. Càrn nan Gobhar is the broad mossy summit between Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais and Sgùrr na Ruaidhe on the eastern half of the round. The connecting ridges either side are broad and gentle. As a single Munro it can be climbed direct via the south spur from the Glen Strathfarrar road — around 9km return with 870m of ascent.

Terrain

The Strathfarrar Càrn nan Gobhar summit is a broad mossy whaleback with a small cairn — the least dramatic of the four Strathfarrar tops in profile. The connecting ridges either side are broad turf with occasional rocky outcrops. A south spur for direct ascent crosses rough heathery hillside without a clear path. Navigation across the broad summit in cloud requires care. The Glen Strathfarrar road is private and gated — check estate access times.

In winter

A relatively benign Munro on the Strathfarrar ridge in winter, though committing as part of the full four-Munro traverse. The broad summit drifts heavily. The locked gate at Struy can be unpredictable in winter — verify with the estate. The north corries hold avalanche-prone snow after southerly storms. There is no phone reception throughout the glen.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Carn nan Gobhar. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS The Northwest Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 29m
Edinburgh4h 46m

Parking: NH245418

OS maps: OS Landranger 25

Mobile signal: No coverage above 700m in Strathfarrar or the Mullardoch hills. Download maps in Inverness before setting off.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:33
Sunset: 20:03
Civil dawn: 05:52
Civil dusk: 20:43

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 September 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Carn nan Gobhar.

Multi-day with bothy
Carn nan Gobhar + Sgurr na Lapaich
Carn nan Gobhar (Mullardoch) can be combined with Sgurr na Lapaich on a multi-day Mullardoch ridge traverse.
35km · 2000m ascent · 14 hrs

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Around Carn nan Gobhar on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Dingwall station

Ben Wyvis approach; Easter Ross; junction for Kyle and Far North lines

32km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Torridon

Liathach, Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin from sea level

39km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Glen Ord

Muir of Ord — Black Isle distillery; the Singleton range's Highland anchor

26km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Carn nan Gobhar — common questions

How hard is Carn nan Gobhar?: We grade Carn nan Gobhar at 5/5, which puts it in very challenging territory. The usual route is around 9km with 870m of climbing; allow 6-9 hours. Ground conditions: The Strathfarrar Càrn nan Gobhar summit is a broad mossy whaleback with a small cairn — the least dramatic of the four Strathfarrar tops in profile.
How much drop does Carn nan Gobhar have?: The drop is 137m: 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 NH245418. 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 coverage above 700m in Strathfarrar or the Mullardoch hills. Download maps in Inverness before setting off.
Is Carn nan Gobhar safe in winter?: A relatively benign Munro on the Strathfarrar ridge in winter, though committing as part of the full four-Munro traverse. The broad summit drifts heavily. The locked gate at Struy can be unpredictable in winter — verify with the estate. The north corries hold avalanche-prone snow after southerly storms. There is no phone reception throughout the glen.

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