An Socach from Glen Clunie

An Socach from Glen Clunie is a 9.75-mile out-and-back from the A93 roadside start to the western Munro summit at 944 metres. Allow about 5¾ hours and roughly 650 metres of climbing. The first stretch follows an estate track into the glen; after that, the walk becomes a rough hill path and a long, open ridge. Published estimates range from about 9 to 9.75 miles, so plan for the longer figure used here. Choose this for a full mountain day, not a quick summit dash.

Start opposite the Baddoch Farm track, where roadside parking is limited. Pass through the gate and follow the estate track past the old house into Baddoch Glen. Cross Baddoch Burn on the bridge, then continue southwest for about 2 kilometres to Allt Coire Fhearneasg. The route leaves the main track after that burn crossing and climbs on a worn line through heather and peat. This is the easier walking, but it takes a while before the proper climb begins.

The path rises gradually to a cairn at about 720 metres on Socach Mòr. A flatter, boggier stretch follows, then the route steepens into zigzags up the east ridge. Expect the surface to change from soft ground and heather to loose stones. The gradient eases higher up, but the ridge is broad and exposed to the weather.

The large cairn on the east top is not the Munro summit. Continue southwest over a broad, stony plateau for roughly 2 kilometres to the true high point on the west summit, marked by two cairns, one a rough shelter. The path can fade or disappear between the tops, which makes this a serious navigation day in cloud. In clear weather, the ridge looks toward the Cairngorms to the north and northwest, with Glas Tulaichean nearby. If the view opens, put one of the cairns in the foreground to show how wide and rocky the summit plateau is.

The simplest return is to retrace the same route. A southern descent toward Allt Cac Dubh is a much rougher, mostly pathless alternative and is not part of this trail. The walk crosses Invercauld Estate land; follow any signs and check current estate access advice, especially during the published stalking season in mid-September through 20 October. There is no stalking on Sundays in the published schedule. Dogs can accompany walkers under Scotland’s outdoor access rules, but keep them under proper control around livestock and wildlife. No food, drinking water, or other services are documented along the route.