Goat Fell from Corrie.
Start. Corrie.
Route. Corrie - High Corrie - Corrie Burn - Coire Lan - North Goatfell - Stacach - Goat Fell - Meall Breac - Corrie Burn - High Corrie - Corrie.
Notes. Goatfell, this is the big one, the one every walker comes to Arran to bag, it was looking like we had run out of time, the weather forecast for our final two days on the island was dismal, we drove, in the rain to Brodick, the islands capital, to stock up with supplies for a walk up Glen Sannox, peering through the bakery window I could hardly see across Brodick Bay, never mind the summit of Goatfell, obviously the disappointment showed, "that will lift shortly" piped up the young sales assistant, " we're in for a nice afternoon", what planet was she on, we thanked her and left for Glen Sannox, driving up the coast Sue pointed out the obvious, it was brightening up,"lets go for it, if the weathers bad we can always turn back, you always say never be ashamed to turn back", I've learned over the years never say no to Sue, by the time we reached Corrie she'd persuaded me it was the best idea all week, so in light rain under grey skies we set off.
From the south of Corrie a finger post beckons entry into the hills, on good paths we climbed through small shrubs, heather and bracken before a stile over the deer fence took us onto moor-land, following the quite spectacular Corrie Burn we reached the high valley of Coire Lan, we were now ringed by dramatic peaks and ridges with an obvious route to our destination, the path climbed steeply to the coll between Mullach Buidhe and North Goatfell followed by an airy ridge walk across North Goatfell to our destination Goatfell, the steep descent to the east saw us traverse the long ridge of Meall Breac before fording the Corrie Burn to make the long descent back to Corrie.
Ascending the steep path that hugs the Corrie Burn with stunning views over the Firth of Clyde.
Sue grits her teeth before reaching level ground.
With the steep climb over, Sue strolls into Coire Lam with Goatfell rising on the left.
Looking back from the coll between North Goatfell and Mullach Buidhe, you can just see Holy Island top right.
From a window on the coll, views to The Saddle across Coire nam Fuaran.
In shadow the brooding mass of Cir Mhor Abhail and the Witch's Step.
The long ridge of Am Binnein and mouth-watering views to the Scottish mainland.
Nearing the summit of Goatfell, looking to the granite slabs of North Goatfell, crossed earlier.
The jagged skyline of The Witch's Step seen from near the summit of Goatfell.
From the summit of Goatfell, soak up endless views to the south, taking in Brodick Bay with Holy Island rising from Lamlash Bay.
Sue insisted on this shot, yes it's me on the 2.867ft high summit of Goatfell
The wonderful view across the Firth of Clyde,
This trig point and view finder mark the summit of Goatfell.
The summit provides a fine viewpoint taking in the islands of the Firth of Clyde, Little Cambrae, Great Cambrae and to the left the coast of Bute.
From the start of the Meall Breac ridge views across Coire Lan to the saddle between North Goat Fell and Mullach Buidhe.
Looking up the steep slopes of Goatfell.
The striking view across Brodick Bay, Holy Island across the Clauchland Hills.
From the descent of Meall Breac, the view to Corrie on the Arran coast, one of the small whitewashed buildings is our home for the week.
A final goodbye, Goatfell before descending the Corrie Burn path.
The Corrie Burn.