Aonach Beag (Alder)

Aonach Beag, at 1,116 metres, is the highest summit on the great remote ridge running from Beinn Èibhinn through Geal-chàrn to Càrn Dearg in the Ben Alder Forest, and should not be confused with the more famous Aonach Beag near Ben Nevis of the same name.

Most parties reach this summit from Geal-chàrn, following a path along the crest above Coire na Coichille before dropping to a bealach, from where it's a short climb of around 100 metres to Aonach Beag's broad summit — the cairn sits in a slight dog-leg to the right, and the path across the top can be vague, requiring some care to locate it precisely. From the summit, the route continues south-west, dropping just over 100 metres on a well-worn path to a further bealach, from where Beinn Èibhinn's shapely summit crest — encircling a corrie above the dark lochan of Lochan a' Charra Mhòir — comes fully into view.

The ridge walking throughout this section is widely regarded as excellent, with spectacular views in clear weather across some of Scotland's most remote high country; regular visitors particularly note the quality of this stretch compared to some of the boggier ground lower down.

Most parties combine all four Munros of this ridge — Càrn Dearg, Geal-chàrn, Aonach Beag, and Beinn Èibhinn — in a single long day from a camp at Culra, typically eight hours or more; an alternative approach to the whole ridge starts from Luiblea near Moy Lodge on the A86 to the north.

This is remote, committing terrain throughout — the summit path can be surprisingly indistinct given the otherwise good going, and the whole area demands full navigation skills, self-sufficiency, and genuine backcountry experience given the distance from any help.

There is no vehicle or public transport access beyond Dalwhinnie; the walk-in to Culra alone is a serious undertaking, though many parties use a mountain bike for the approach tracks.