Càrn nan Gabhar

Càrn nan Gabhar, at 1,121-1,129 metres, is the highest of Beinn a' Ghlò's three Munros, the final and most remote summit of this vast, sprawling massif above Glen Tilt.

Reached as the third stage of the full Beinn a' Ghlò traverse from Càrn Liath and Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain, the route drops from the middle summit across pathless ground to the Bealach an Fhiodha, losing around 150 metres of height, before a path resumes on a rising traverse up onto the ridge of Càrn nan Gabhar. The summit itself is deceptive — walkers first pass a cairn on a stony false top, then a trig point around 250 metres further on, before the true summit cairn is finally reached a further 150 metres beyond that, marked by fine views into the wild country around the head of Glen Tilt.

The return is long and genuinely tiring — most walkers retrace their steps to the Bealach an Fhiodha before descending the east side of a burn on an increasingly boggy path, crossing it several times before picking up a well-constructed path that contours around the base of Beinn Bheag on considerably better ground back towards Loch Moraig.

The full three-Munro traverse from Loch Moraig is around 20-21 kilometres with 1,300-1,350 metres of ascent, typically eight to nine hours, with the long walk back from Càrn nan Gabhar often feeling like the toughest part of the day.

The multiple false summits here catch many walkers out in poor visibility — carrying a map and confirming you've reached the genuine highest cairn rather than the trig point is worth the extra care. This is a serious, remote mountain day despite the good paths lower down, and full navigation skills are essential given the pathless sections encountered en route.

Parking at Loch Moraig is chargeable; trains and buses serve Blair Atholl, around 4 kilometres from the start.