Garbat via An Cabar up Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor: route map, distance and time
1,046 m · Highland
Glas Leathad Mor is the summit of Ben Wyvis, a huge, rounded Munro north of Garve that dominates the skyline from Inverness and the Black Isle.
A path through forestry leads to the steep, pitched shoulder of An Cabar, then a gentle walk along the mossy summit ridge.
Garbat via An Cabar at a glance
| Distance | 9.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 932 m |
| Time up | 3h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Garbat forestry car park |
| Start grid reference | NH 412 679 |
| Summit grid reference | NH 462 683 |
Garbat via An Cabar 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 Garbat via An Cabar takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 25m | 5h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 10m | 6h 30m |
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 07:22, sunset 16:41. Start by 10:26 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:24, sunset 16:39. Start by 10:24 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor summit weather for this route
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Marginal Today Wednesday 28 October
Slight rain, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 49 mph, 88% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:22, sunset 16:41.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Fog, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 34 mph gusting 43 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:24, sunset 16:39.
Best day of the next seven for Garbat via An Cabar: Sunday 1 November, with summit gusts around 18 mph and a 6% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -7°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 88% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 49 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 Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor
Glas Leathad Mor is the summit of Ben Wyvis, a huge, rounded Munro north of Garve that dominates the skyline from Inverness and the Black Isle. More about Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Tom a' Choinnich (954 m), 1.7 km north
- An Cabar (946 m), 2.2 km south-west
Challenges that include Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NH 412 679, the summit at NH 462 683), 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.
Garbat via An Cabar: questions and answers
How far is Garbat via An Cabar?
Garbat via An Cabar is 9.2 km one way to the summit of Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor, with 932 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 18.4 km.
How long does Garbat via An Cabar take?
About 3h 25m to the summit of Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor and 5h 15m 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 6h 30m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Garbat via An Cabar?
Garbat via An Cabar starts from Garbat forestry car park. The grid reference is NH 412 679.
Is Garbat via An Cabar suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Garbat via An Cabar today?
By 10:26 at the latest. Sunset on Ben Wyvis - Glas Leathad Mor today is 16:41, Garbat via An Cabar takes about 5h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Garbat via An Cabar?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).