Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas up Ben Alder: route map, distance and time
1,148 m · Highland
Ben Alder is a remote 1148m Munro above Loch Ericht, a huge flat-topped mountain reached by long approaches from Dalwhinnie or Corrour.
A long track runs beside Loch Ericht towards Culra. The Long Leachas ridge then climbs to the plateau with some easy scrambling.
Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas at a glance
| Distance | 21.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 739 m |
| Time up | 5h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 10h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Dalwhinnie (Loch Ericht track) |
| Start grid reference | NN 634 848 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 496 718 |
Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 4h 40m | 8h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 5h 35m | 10h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 6h 55m | 12h 25m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:19, sunset 16:44. The round trip plus stops is longer than the daylight: start before dawn with a head torch, or pick a shorter route.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:21, sunset 16:41. The round trip plus stops is longer than the daylight: start before dawn with a head torch, or pick a shorter route.
Ben Alder summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today Wednesday 28 October
Moderate rain, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 48 mph gusting 60 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:19, sunset 16:44.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Mostly dry, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 28 mph gusting 38 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:21, sunset 16:41.
Best day of the next seven for Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas: Monday 2 November, with summit gusts around 15 mph and a 2% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Ben Alder forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Ben Alder?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Creag Meagaidh avalanche report.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -7°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 60 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Ben Alder
Ben Alder is a remote 1148m Munro above Loch Ericht, a huge flat-topped mountain reached by long approaches from Dalwhinnie or Corrour. More about Ben Alder, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Beinn Bheoil (1,019 m), 2.1 km east
- Sron Coire na h-Iolaire (956 m), 2.2 km south-east
- Sgor Iutharn (1,028 m), 2.6 km north
Challenges that include Ben Alder
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 634 848, the summit at NN 496 718), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas: questions and answers
How far is Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas?
Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas is 21.9 km one way to the summit of Ben Alder, with 739 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 43.8 km.
How long does Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas take?
About 5h 35m to the summit of Ben Alder and 10h 0m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 12h 25m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas?
Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas starts from Dalwhinnie (Loch Ericht track). The grid reference is NN 634 848.
Is Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first.
Is there a GPX for Dalwhinnie via Culra and the Long Leachas?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).