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3,302 ft · Cairngorms, Scotland

An Sgarsoch

An Sgarsoch is a 3,302 ft peak in the Cairngorms, Scotland. The standard route is the Geldie Lodge Approach: 23 mi, 2,460 ft of gain, Class 2.

An Sgarsoch in the Cairngorms, Scotland

An Sgarsoch at a glance

  • Elevation3,302 ft1,006 m
  • RouteGeldie Lodge ApproachClass 2
  • Distance23 mi2,460 ft gain
  • Time13 – 15 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonMay – Sep
  • RangeCairngormsScotland

Climbing the Geldie Lodge Approach

From Braemar, drive west on the minor road past Inverey. Start from the Linn of Dee car park (National Trust for Scotland charge) and follow the track west past White Bridge and up the Geldie Burn to the ruin of Geldie Lodge. Beyond the lodge, leave the stalkers' path and cross open moor and heather to the broad summit. Class 2 on rough, largely pathless ground. The Geldie Burn and its tributaries need fording and can be impassable after heavy rain. Most walkers cycle the long track to the lodge. Usually combined with Carn an Fhidhleir on a long remote round.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (55–75 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Remote location
  • Stream crossing
  • Boggy terrain
  • Low visibility

Quests with An Sgarsoch

Peaks near An Sgarsoch

  1. Càrn an Fhidhleir

    Càrn an Fhidhleir

    3,261 ft · 1.8 mi away

  2. Carn a' Chlamain

    Carn a' Chlamain

    3,161 ft · 5.0 mi away

  3. Beinn Bhrotain

    Beinn Bhrotain

    3,796 ft · 5.5 mi away

  4. Beinn Dearg

    Beinn Dearg

    3,309 ft · 6.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is An Sgarsoch?

An Sgarsoch is 3,302 feet (1,006 m) tall. It is in the Cairngorms, Scotland.

How does An Sgarsoch rank among the Munros?

At 3,302 feet, An Sgarsoch is the 126th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.

How hard is it to hike An Sgarsoch?

The Geldie Lodge Approach is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 23 miles with 2,460 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike An Sgarsoch?

Most people take 13 – 15 hours round trip on the Geldie Lodge Approach, covering 23 miles with 2,460 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike An Sgarsoch?

The Geldie Lodge Approach needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 23 miles with 2,460 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike An Sgarsoch?

The usual hiking window is May to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb An Sgarsoch with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list