Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle up Cir Mhor: route map, distance and time
798 m · North Ayrshire
Cir Mhor is a sharp granite peak at the head of Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox on Arran, with a famous climbing buttress on its south face.
A long glen path to The Saddle, then a steep, rocky climb up the ridge to the summit.
Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle at a glance
| Distance | 11.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 819 m |
| Time up | 3h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Glen Rosa road end, Brodick |
| Start grid reference | NS 014 360 |
| Summit grid reference | NR 972 431 |
Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle 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
- Edgewater0.1 km
- The Ormidale Bar0.4 km
- The Wineport1.6 km
- Hunters Coffee Shop0.2 km
- Good Food Shop0.3 km
- Little Rock Cafe0.4 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets1.6 km
- Public toilets1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 35m | 5h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 25m | 7h 10m |
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 07:18, sunset 16:50. Start by 10:00 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:20, sunset 16:48. Start by 09:58 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Cir Mhor summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today Wednesday 28 October
Slight rain, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 49 mph gusting 62 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:18, sunset 16:50.
-
Poor Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 43 mph gusting 53 mph, 24% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:20, sunset 16:48.
Best day of the next seven for Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle: Monday 2 November, with summit gusts around 15 mph and a 4% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Cir Mhor forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Cir Mhor?
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 -3°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 62 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 Cir Mhor
Cir Mhor is a sharp granite peak at the head of Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox on Arran, with a famous climbing buttress on its south face. More about Cir Mhor, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Corbett, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Caisteal Abhail (859 m), 1.3 km north
- Beinn Tarsuinn (826 m), 2.3 km south-west
- Goatfell (875 m), 2.4 km south-east
Challenges that include Cir Mhor
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NS 014 360, the summit at NR 972 431), 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.
Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle: questions and answers
How far is Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle?
Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle is 11.1 km one way to the summit of Cir Mhor, with 819 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 22.2 km.
How long does Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle take?
About 3h 35m to the summit of Cir Mhor and 5h 50m 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 7h 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle?
Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle starts from Glen Rosa road end, Brodick. The grid reference is NS 014 360.
Is Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle 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 Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle today?
By 10:00 at the latest. Sunset on Cir Mhor today is 16:50, Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle takes about 5h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Brodick via Glen Rosa and The Saddle?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).