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
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 873 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- 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%
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. SAIS Northern Highlands applies as the closest formal forecast area.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 29m
- Edinburgh4h 46m
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
- Sunrise
- 04:58
- Sunset
- 21:54
- Civil dawn
- 04:01
- 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.
Getting there: Dingwall station
Ben Wyvis approach; Easter Ross; junction for Kyle and Far North lines
32km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Inverness
Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North
39km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Glen Ord
Muir of Ord — Black Isle distillery; the Singleton range's Highland anchor
26km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
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 17km with 873m 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. SAIS Northern Highlands applies as the closest formal forecast area.
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