Càrn Liath (Creag Meagaidh)

Càrn Liath, at 1,006 metres, is the first Munro of the classic Creag Meagaidh horseshoe, standing above the eastern flank of Coire Àrdair and offering good views across the corrie's great cliffs to relieve the monotony of the climb.

The route starts from the Aberarder car park on the A86 opposite Loch Laggan, part of the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve. A good path leads past a whitewashed former farmhouse with picnic tables and a toilet, climbing through fine regenerating birchwoods — the reserve's dramatic recovery since sheep and deer numbers were reduced from 1986 is regarded as a major conservation success story. A branch path leads north-west up the broad hillside, becoming stonier near the top, with the angle easing onto a broad ridge before the large summit cairn of Càrn Liath.

From the summit, the route continues west down open slopes and over the minor swelling of Meall an t-Snaim, with old rusty fence posts marking the way towards the peculiar trench-like bealach of Uinneas Min Choire, before a short, steep pull up to Sròn Coire a' Chrìochairein and the increasingly well-defined ridge towards Stob Poite Coire Àrdair, the second Munro of the circuit.

The full horseshoe taking in Càrn Liath, Stob Poite Coire Àrdair, and Creag Meagaidh from Aberarder is around 21 kilometres with roughly 1,080-1,650 metres of ascent, typically eight to ten hours.

Once past Càrn Liath, much of the day's climbing is complete, but the ridge ahead has steep drops in places and the whole circuit demands full navigation skills, particularly given how quickly weather and visibility can deteriorate on this exposed massif.

The Aberarder car park is chargeable (card only); there is no public transport to the start.