Cir Mhor & Catacol

Cir Mhor is THE iconic peak of Arran, sometimes known as Arran’s Matterhorn, with good reason. It is the lowest of Arran’s four Corbetts, but don’t let that fool you!

Distance: 16 km

Highest point: 799m – Cir Mhor

Total ascent: 944 m

Walk duration: 8 hrs

Terrain: Rough mountain paths, steep ascents and descents with loose gravel underfoot, some tussocky and potentially boggy pathless moorland.

Technical rating: Moderate

Endurance rating: 3

Cost: £25

Date: Saturday 16th May 2026

Meeting time: 07:45

Meeting place: Festival Hub at the Auchrannie Playbarn. Transport to the start & finish of this walk is provided from there.

The walk starts gently with a height gain of 150m over 5km up Glen Rosa, possibly imbuing a false sense of security in respect of the next couple of kilometres climbing 650m!

Heading up to the Saddle at the head of the Glen there is often a chance of spotting a soaring Golden Eagle. From the Saddle a much sterner climb gains the top of Cir Mhor and fabulous views down both Glens Rosa & Sannox.

From the summit, the route descends and skirts round the sweeping Hunter’s Ridge before dropping off over rough grassland to the head of Gleann Diomhan where a path is regained which heads down, past some of Arran’s endemic whitebeams, to the beautiful glaciated form of Glen Catacol.   

This walk is organised by the Arran Mountain Festival, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC052229, supported by Auchrannie Leisure Ltd.