Beinn a' Chaorainn (Glen Spean)

Beinn a' Chaorainn, at 1,052 metres, is a straightforward north-south ridge of three summits above the forestry north of Loch Laggan, much less visited than its better-known neighbour Creag Meagaidh, with steep eastern corries giving the mountain real character.

The route starts from Roughburn on the A86, with limited parking and a layby a short distance east. A forestry track leads to a junction, where a left turn reaches the edge of the plantation before crossing the Allt a' Chaorainn — normally straightforward but tricky in spate, when a detour further up the glen may be needed to find a safer crossing point. From the west bank, faint paths and open grass and heather lead up the fairly featureless south-west ridge to the South Top, marked by a cairn, where the walking improves dramatically with stunning views into the corries and across to Creag Meagaidh. The ridge continues easily across a slight dip to the central, true Munro summit at 1,052 metres, then curves round to the North Top at 1,043 metres.

The summit ridge has a serious reputation in winter: several accidents, including at least one fatality in 1994, have occurred when walkers took direct compass bearings between the high points and fell through cornices overhanging the eastern corrie, underestimating how far the corrie bites back into the ridge — extra care staying well back from the edge is essential in snow.

From the North Top, the descent heads north-west, slanting down increasingly wet ground to Tom Mòr, the bealach with neighbouring Beinn Teallach.

The combined horseshoe taking in both Munros from Roughburn is around 13-18 kilometres, typically six to eight hours depending on route choice and river conditions.

Beyond the well-defined summit ridge, this is largely pathless terrain with boggy lower slopes and a river crossing that can become genuinely difficult after heavy rain — full navigation skills and awareness of the cornice hazard are essential, particularly in winter.

Parking at Roughburn is very limited, with a layby around 300 metres east holding a handful more cars; there is no public transport to the start.