Geal-Charn

One of two hills (the other being A' Mharconaich) which form the northern half of the Drumochter range on the west side of the A9 road. Geal-charn is a rounded and unremarkable hill which used to have some tall cairns near its summit which were visible from the road, but when they were knocked down a landmark was lost. A'Mharconaich is a much more impressive hill with a fine north-east corrie directly under its summit and two ridges jutting out towards the Pass of Drumochter, the southern one ending at a steep little hill called the Boar of Badenoch. To the south-west of its summit, a long level ridge goes towards Beinn Udlamain.

The traverse of these two hills is a very short walk from Balsporran Cottages, where there is a large carpark. Follow the path on the west side of the railway for a few hundred metres and then go up the broad north-east ridge of Geal-charn, which becomes very stony near the summit. Descend the south ridge to a wide col and climb grassy slopes south then south-east to the level summit of A'Mharconaich, whose cairn is at the north-east end of the ridge. Descend north then north-east down a long ridge. The rough heathery ground at its foot may be avoided by crossing the Allt Coire Fhar to reach the path on its left bank.

(Copyright The Scottish Mountaineering Club)