3,507 ft · Northwest Highlands, Scotland
An Socach
An Socach is a 3,507 ft peak in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland. The standard route is the Loch Mullardoch North Shore: 15 mi, 4,270 ft of gain, Class 2.
An Socach at a glance
- Elevation3,507 ft1,068 m
- RouteLoch Mullardoch North ShoreClass 2
- Distance15 mi4,270 ft gain
- Time10 – 12 hrsHard effort
- SeasonMay – Sep
- RangeNorthwest HighlandsScotland
Climbing the Loch Mullardoch North Shore
From Cannich on the A831, follow the minor road up Glen Cannich to its end. Start from the Loch Mullardoch dam car park and walk the rough, undulating path along the north shore of the loch, crossing the unbridged Allt Taige, then climb pathless Class 2 slopes to the summit ridge and its trig point shelter. Usually combined with An Riabhachan, Sgurr na Lapaich and Carn nan Gobhar on the Mullardoch circuit. A seasonal ferry on the loch cuts out the shore walk and is widely used. The Allt Taige can be impassable after rain, and midges are intense by the water in summer.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (35–55 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
- Insects
- Low visibility
Quests with An Socach
MunrosPeaks near An Socach
Frequently asked questions
How tall is An Socach?
An Socach is 3,507 feet (1,068 m) tall. It is in the Northwest Highlands, Scotland.
How does An Socach rank among the Munros?
At 3,507 feet, An Socach is the 67th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.
How hard is it to hike An Socach?
The Loch Mullardoch North Shore is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 15 miles with 4,270 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike An Socach?
Most people take 10 – 12 hours round trip on the Loch Mullardoch North Shore, covering 15 miles with 4,270 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Can a beginner hike An Socach?
The Loch Mullardoch North Shore needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 15 miles with 4,270 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 Socach?
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 Socach 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