Cir Mhor

 | Overview

Technical Rating

Challenging  

Exposed scrambling, head for heights required, rough terrain.

Endurance Rating

3  

Sustained steep ascents and descents, long-distance, stamina required, suitable for fit walkers. Have you had recent experience of walking for 6-8 hours? Have you recently walked up (and down) a mountain of over 1000m (3000ft) in height without physical distress? Do you regularly play an aerobic sport pretty much every week? If your answer is "No", we'd guess you'd be happier doing a walk rated a level lower than the one you’ve just read! As noted previously, we're into FUN so we don't want you to miss out by overdoing it.

 | Photo Gallery

 | Walk description

Heading out from the village of Sannox into Glen Sannox, watch out for the local cricket pitch (which must be one of Britain’s most scenic) and the white nautical navigation beacons. The path, initially framed by hawthorn hedges, then leads past the remains of a Barytes mine, a remnant of Arran’s industrial past. Sannox Burn is crossed and followed upstream into the glacial valley. A good mountain path leads up towards the Saddle (432m), which is reached via a hands-on scramble up a steep and rocky chimney. A rest is in order to admire the views back down into Glen Sannox and into Glen Rosa to the south, before heading up Cir Mhor’s steep scree slopes. The breathtaking climb is rewarded with increasingly stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Close to the summit, an unexpected surprise awaits with the rocky tors giving way to a tranquil meadow tumbling away into Fionn Choire. Once its slope is crossed, and another small ascent mastered, the true summit can be reached – an awe-inspiring stack of massive granite slabs. Often climbers can be heard as they scale the vertical south wall and pinnacles below. The descent follows the steps down into Fionn Choire, from where the path hugs the stream eventually joining the Rosa Burn. The U-shaped valley of Glen Rosa provides another opportunity for wildlife-spotting on a gentler gradient. Crystal-clear pools carved by the rushing water invite happy but weary walkers to cool their feet. The walk comes to an end when civilisation is reached at the bottom of the glen.

 | Advised Kit List