Geal Charn

Geal Charn stands in the Highland council area, rising 1049 metres in the Grampian Mountains. It lies between Loch Laggan and Loch Ericht in the remote Ardverikie Forest, east of Spean Bridge. The mountain is part of a group that includes three Munros, with Geal Charn the second highest. South of the summit the ground drops 500 metres into An Lairig before climbing again toward Ben Alder. The area is known for its solitary landscapes and quiet forests. The broad summit plateau slopes gently on most sides, covered in moss and heather over stony ground. The southern flank falls steeply toward Loch a’ Bealaich Leamhain, while the northern side holds Coire an Iubhair Mòr, a deep rocky corrie. The North-East ridge called Sròn Garbh provides a striking feature on that side. Shallower rocky sections appear lower down on the north and south-east flanks, with the steepest ground confined to the corrie and the southern slope. Walkers often climb Geal Charn together with the nearby Munros Beinn a’ Chlachair and Creag Pitridh. The usual start is a car park on the A86 near Moy west of Loch Laggan. From there a forest track and hunting path lead past Lochan na h-Earba and along Allt Coire Pitridh to the Bealach Leamhain. The broad western slopes then rise gently to the wide summit plateau. Less used routes follow the faint northern ridge beside Coire an Iubhair Mòr or the south-east slopes, both requiring longer marches through pathless moor and heather starting from Kinloch Laggan or Dalwhinnie.