Goatfell's Ridges Mountain Walk
- Lasts 420 minutes
Explore Arran’s highest mountain’s quieter side by climbing it by its spectacular and mostly pathless south ridge, then take in North Goatfell via the Stacach ridge.
Overview
Distance 10km
Highest Point Gained 874m – Goatfell summit
Total Ascent 910m
Walk Duration 7hrs
Terrain Head for heights required - ridges with steep drops. Steep ascents and descents on rough hill paths and pathless, rough and boggy, moorland. Hands-on clambering, steep sections with loose rock underfoot.
Technical Rating Moderate
Endurance Rating 3
Cost £25
Date Friday 17th May 2024
Meeting Time 8.00
Meeting Place Festival Hub . Transport to the start & finish of this walk is provided from there.
Walk description
As the main route up Goatfell, this walk sets out from Cladach up the “tourist path”. However, having gained the first 400 metres or so of ascent on the main Goatfell path, the route leaves this well-trodden trail and heads for the prow of the mountain’s south ridge.
This is gained by striking out across pathless and boggy heather moorland, steeply clambering up onto the crest. Having left the busy main Goatfell path behind, along its southern ridge, encounters with mountain wildlife are much more likely than meeting fellow walkers.
On the ridge, a faint path threads through granite slabs and boulders, with views continuously opening to the surrounding hills. Some clambering is necessary as the spiny peak of the ridge is reached – an awe-inspiring jumble of granite boulders and tors.
A final uphill pull across slightly easier ground, and the many walkers scaling Arran’s highest mountain are rejoined on the summit of Goatfell. From there the walk heads north along the Stacach ridge, by-passing any technical sections on its eastern side. The shapely peak of North Goatfell is taken in for more spectacular granite formations and views, before descending steeply into Coire Lan, and finally down to High Corrie.
This walk is organised by the Arran Mountain Festival, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC 052229, supported by Auchrannie Leisure Ltd.