A’ Mharconaich and Geal Chàrn Circuit

A’ Mharconaich and Geal Chàrn Circuit is a 7.18-mile loop from Balsporran Cottages, linking two Munros above Drumochter Pass: Geal Chàrn (917 m) first, then A’ Mharconaich (975 m). Expect roughly 730 m of climbing and allow 4½ to 6 hours; keep most of a day free for it. It is a satisfying way to reach two summits from one start, but the mileage disguises a full hill day: most of the route is open heath and rough high ground, with a briefly faint path on Geal Chàrn’s broad shoulder, a steep spur below A’ Mharconaich, and a boggy finish. This suits fit hillwalkers comfortable following a line across open terrain. Low cloud makes the shoulder and plateau harder to read, so confident navigation matters.

Start at the car park just off the west side of the A9 by Balsporran Cottages. Walk past the cottages and cross the Highland railway at the level crossing, then follow the track uphill. Ignore the first main fork to the right, cross a tributary burn by its bridge, and take the later right-hand fork. The track gradually gives way to a path over heathery slopes. On the flat shoulder, one of the old cairns remains, and the path fades for a short stretch before the summit approach becomes clearer. Geal Chàrn is a rounded top rather than a dramatic rocky point; its cairn looks west over Loch Ericht toward Ben Alder, with A’ Mharconaich rising to the south.

From Geal Chàrn, descend southwest and then south to the 739 m bealach. The view along Loch Ericht stays with you. Follow the track on the right for about 350 m, then turn left onto a clear path climbing broad slopes to the plateau-like ridge. Cross the open plateau northeast to A’ Mharconaich’s summit cairn. Sections of matting near the final approach protect the vegetation. This is a wide, exposed stretch, so keep your bearings as you move between the cairns rather than expecting a close, continuous path.

The first part down from A’ Mharconaich is the circuit’s steepest ground: descend north on the spur, with a steep corrie on your right. Take particular care here in winter. The spur eventually flattens and bends northeast, and the gradient eases, but the lower ground becomes very boggy. The final burn crossing may be impassable when water is high. If it is in spate, the described alternative is to bear left earlier and rejoin the bealach track instead of attempting the crossing; that leads back to the railway and cottages.

The starting access is Balsporran Cottages car park, on the west side of the A9. Parking fees and capacity were not found. The route information does not identify public toilets, drinking water, or food along the walk, so bring what you need for the full outing. Dogs may accompany walkers under Scotland’s responsible access rules; keep them under control around livestock and wildlife. A sign photographed at the cottage access in 2019 asks visitors to keep dogs on leads while passing through; check and follow current signs.

Geal Chàrn means “White Peak”; A’ Mharconaich is glossed as “Place of the Horse.” These are the northerly pair of four Munros on the west side of Drumochter Pass. Adding Beinn Udlamain and Sgàirneach Mhòr turns the outing into a much longer four-summit day. For a photo, look back from Geal Chàrn and frame Loch Ericht with Ben Alder beyond and A’ Mharconaich to the south; from the second summit, the pronounced north spur and its corrie show the shape of the descent ahead.