Goatfell Navigation

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A twist on the usual route to Goatfell, Arran's highest (874m) and most popular mountain. You still climb to the top of the island from sea-level, but with the satisfaction of conquering it using a little used route whilst learning about and using navigation techniques along the way. A classroom with stunning views that rival any mainland mountains. Should the weather be kind, the scenery extends to Holy Isle and Ailsa Craig in the south, and Kintyre and Jura in the west. On very clear days, the Antrim coast can be glimpsed.

Route of 'Ali's Route' from Goatfell © Jo Totty.
Route of 'Ali's Route' with Andy, from Goatfell © Jo Totty.
View of Beinn A'Chliabhain, from Ali's Route © Jo Totty.
View of Brodick and Holy Isle, from Ali's Route © Jo Totty.
View of Cir Mhor, from Ali's Route © Jo Totty.
View of Cir Mhor and the Castiels, from Ali's Route © Jo Totty.
View of Cir Mhor and the Saddle, from Ali's Route © Jo Totty.
View of Cir Mhor and the Saddle to the right (east) and Fionn Choire to the left (west), from Ali's Route © Jo Totty.
Coire Chatan, part of Ali's Route © Jo Totty.
View of across Glenshant to Holy Isle, from Ali's Route © Jo Totty.
View of the Three Beinns, from Ali's Route © Jo Totty.

Distance: 11km
Highest point gained: 874m
Walk duration: 7hrs
Terrain: some rough mountain paths, some steep sections, some scrambling
Technical Rating: Moderate
Blister Rating: 3

Walk description: The walk starts simply enough from Cladach up the main Goatfell path to the deer fence where things start to get more interesting! From the deer fence we’ll cut south west across to Glenshant Hill then north through Coire Chatan where we’ll take you passed the site of a plane crash (where three were lost on a night navigation exercise in 1942) through the Watershoot and Rosa Slabs before summiting Goatfell from the west rather than the more usual east. The latter part of the walk will entail a bit of clambering about. To descend, we’ll head off the eastern shoulder of Goatfell and down the more popular path, back through the deer fence and to Cladach where we started.

ADVISED KIT LIST
Suggested Hill Clothing
NO jeans – anyone wearing jeans will not be allowed to start the walk, and no refund will be possible
Stout hill walking boots
Appropriate walking trousers, top layers and fleece – preferably no cotton layers

Suggested minimum daysac contents
Waterproof (not showerproof) trousers
Waterproof (not showerproof) jacket
Spare fleece (in addition to one being worn)
Spare socks
Woollen or fleece hat
Gloves
Packed lunch and drink
Any personal medicines
Sun cream and insect repellent

Last Updated (Tuesday, 31 January 2012 21:08)