A'Mharconaich

Begin at the parking area on the left just before Balsporran Cottages off the west side of the A9. The cottages are situated in an extremely bleak spot at 425 metres - in winter this is as cold as spot as you will find in Britain. Pass the cottages and cross the level crossing over the railway beyond, continuing along the track. Ignore the first main track forking right, instead continuing to reach a burn, crossing this via a bridge.Soon after this look out for another track forking to the right. Take this; it becomes better made for a time before eventually being succeeded by a path. Continue up the heathery slopes with improving views back over Drumochter.Continue to the flat shoulder where a set of once mighty cairns stood. Only one of the original cairns remains, though a set of more makeshift neighbours has appeared including a shelter cairn.The summit of Geal Charn is an easy kilometre beyond. Although an undistinguished Munro and one of the easiest to reach, the cairn at the summit has a grand view over Loch Ericht to Ben Alder. To the south can be seen the more shapely hill of A' Mharconaich.Descend southwest and then south to reach the wide bealach at 739 metres, with superb views along the length of Loch Ericht throughout the descent.There's a track across the bealach - cross this and then tackle the featureless slopes beyond, bearing slightly left until you reach the summit plateau of A' Mharconaich; there continue to be stunning views behind to Ben Alder.Continue northeast across the plateau to reach the summit cairn, the second Munro of the day at 975 metres. The descent from the summit is the steepest part of the day. Descend northwards down a spur, with a steep corrie on the right; this requires care under the winter conditions when these hills are popular.The spur flattens out before steepening again as it curves round to the northeast. Continue down the now gentler ridge. Lower down the path becomes very boggy. Rather than continuing, it is best to bear left and cross the burn at a footbridge before joining the track on the far side for the final stretch back to Balsporran Cottages.