Mullach Fraoch-choire

Mullach Fraoch-choire, at 1,102 metres, may be hidden from view at the Cluanie Inn, but is one of the finest mountains in the region, its approach ridge from A' Chralaig riven into a series of exposed rocky pinnacles.

Reached from A' Chralaig via a col at 949 metres, the ridge narrows into these pinnacles, requiring some very mild scrambling to negotiate — a bypass path exists below the towers for those wishing to avoid direct contact with the rock, though many walkers report the scrambling itself is more approachable than it first appears when viewed from a distance. Beyond the difficulties, a short distance leads to the summit, with particularly fine views over the wild head of Glen Affric and Loch Affric, though many walkers find themselves most drawn to looking back along the ridge to A' Chralaig itself.

The descent retraces the rocky section of ridge back to the 949-metre bealach, then leaves the ridge on a path that's steep and loose at first before easing into the grassy upper reaches of Coire Odhar. A largely grassy path continues down the corrie, though it can be lost in boggier sections, before joining the glen path and the notoriously wet crossing of the low pass at An Caorann Mòr.

The combined round taking in both A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire from the Cluanie layby is a strenuous full day, typically seven to nine hours; for the exceptionally ambitious, this ridge links via the Bealach Coire a' Chait to the neighbouring Sgùrr nan Conbhairean group, though this requires a very long approach best tackled with an overnight stay in remote upper Glen Affric.

The pinnacled ridge demands a good head for heights even with the bypass option available, and the boggy descent through An Caorann Mòr can be genuinely tedious after rain — full navigation and scrambling competence are both valuable assets on this route.

Parking in the layby east of the Cluanie Inn is free; Citylink buses between Glasgow and Inverness run along the A87, stopping at the driver's discretion.