Mullach Fraoch-choire

Mullach Fraoch-choire is a Munro in the Northwest Highlands, standing 1,102 metres high on an eight-kilometre ridge between Loch Cluanie and upper Glen Affric. It lies within the Glen Affric National Scenic Area and the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve. The mountain forms part of the Cluanie Horseshoe, a crescent of high peaks that includes nine Munro Tops. Its subsidiary top reaches 1,047 metres on the northeast ridge. To the south the ridge drops to Stob Coire na Chràlaig, a 1,008-metre peak regarded as a distant subsidiary of A’ Chràlaig. The mountain offers two main walking routes. From the north the climb starts at the remote Glen Affric Youth Hostel at Alltbeithe. From the south the route begins near Cluanie Inn beside Loch Cluanie on the A87. The horseshoe is usually walked starting from Glen Affric, though the nearest road to the youth hostel is by Loch Cluanie. A popular route climbs A’ Chràlaig first, then follows the narrow ridge north with steep drops on both sides into Coire na Geurdain and Coire Odhar. The final half-kilometre of the ridge to Mullach Fraoch-choire is spectacularly narrow. In winter it becomes a Scottish Grade I climb. Walkers can return by the same route or descend Coire Odhar from the col near Stob Coire na Chràlaig. The glen connects Cluanie and Affric, with streams flowing north to the River Affric and south to Loch Cluanie.