Initially the path leads up through the forested grounds of the castle, passing many rhododendron bushes. “Take a wrinkle of hills, add a shower of rain. Hiking info, trail maps, and 5 trip reports from Goat Fell—North Goatfell (818 m) in the Arran of United Kingdom. Gardens, woodland, waterfalls and a castle packed with treasures make this a must-visit on Arran, Robert Adam’s cliff-top masterpiece rises above a world of woods, beaches, secret follies and play parks, Birthplace of a genius – a celebration of the enduring legacy of Scotland’s national poet, Home of the shoemaker immortalised by Robert Burns in Tam o’ Shanter, Exceptional and remote mountain scenery with lochs, glens and the magnificent ridge of the Five Sisters, Charming riverside walk in the heart of Big Tree Country. If you wish to change your preferences, you may do so on our, Admire stunning views and rugged mountain landscapes from the Isle of Arran’s highest point, Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley. By Roslyn Scott on May 17, 2014 / Events & Fundraising / Comments Off on Goatfell Climb. hope you enjoy. We use analytics cookies to monitor visitor behaviour patterns and improve our website performance. The most commonly used route, a constructed path of just over 3 miles (5 km) in length, starts from near Brodick Castle in Cladach. Peak List. Latest. At just under 1,000 ft (300 m) above sea level the path leaves the forestry, and the route continues through bare moorland, reaching the summit by way of the east ridge of the mountain. These climbs you Did not Finish. Out of nowhere, we were hit by a sharp blast of wind, and then another. A hearty climb into the wilderness, Goat Fell is the highest peak on the Isle of Arran, and the perfect viewpoint to gaze across the island and out to sea. The path goes straight up the east ridge, through rocks for about 700 ft. Goat Fell Climbing Notes. Toggle Sidebar. Golden eagles, red deer and otters inhabit this spectacular peninsula on the Isle of Mull. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions. Peak Map. At any point on the climb, the shortest way to get back down is to turn round and retrace your steps. The mountain was the scene of the death of English tourist Edwin Rose who was murdered by John Watson Laurie in 1889 on the mountain. I got it without too much trouble but the “Goatfell” sign had been half covered by leaves so it was no wonder I couldn't see it. Training; Add to myclimbbybike Share . Goatfell (Goat Fell) is 874 metres high. If you want to get back to main land be sure to check the ferry times or take a tent. July 29, 2016 June 20, 2019. HIKIN FACTS: Goatfell Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5 km) Duration: 4.5 – 6 hours Terrain: Great, waymarked trail; steep boulder field near the top. Goat Fell: My first climb! A circular route with a start and finish in Brodick which takes in Goatfell (874m), the highest point on the Isle of Arran. Walk to Goat Fell Walk to Goat Fell Walk to Goat Fell Bridge over the burn The bridge Looking back at the view Losing the path. A direct traverse of the ridge The Route: Goatfell and North Goatfell | Distance: 12.4km | Time: 4 Hours Height gain: 954m | Max Altitude: 874m | Start: Brodick Castle Grounds | Finish: Corrie Map: OS Explorer OL361 | Date: 12/06/2012 The clouds finally lifted after a week spent on the island and the high summits where finally revealed for the first time since landing ashore all those days ago. Home → Events & Fundraising → Goatfell Climb . Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences. A hugely popular hike on the Isle of Arran, Goatfell brings visitors far and wide to this most-accessible of Scottish Isles. Travel writer Robin McKelvie describes his family’s latest trip to Arran, and their love of Brodick. The mountain stands sentinel above Brodick Castle and reaching the summit takes between 2 and 5 hours, so pack plenty of supplies and make sure you are properly equipped. Peaks by Region . The total ascent is 840 metres. Yes, but I’d love to have a go at it from North Goatfell. Click thumbnails for larger images. Goatfell (Goat Fell) is a summit in the Arran region or range in Scotland. We were now on the last part of the climb – onto Goatfell itself. An alternative shorter and steeper route comes up from the village of Corrie. This Isle of Arran route approaches Goatfell from Glen Sannox and then continues via the Saddle onto North Goatfell. We’d gone from happily strolling along to being nearly bowled over. There is a viewpoint table at the summit: on a clear day Northern Ireland may be seen. The mountain stands sentinel above Brodick Castle and reaching the summit takes between 2 and 5 hours, so pack plenty of supplies and make sure you are properly equipped. Hiking Goatfell – Map the Route. Dad wanted to climb Goatfell once before the holiday was done. You can walk to the starting point at Arran Brewery from Brodick harbour, or jump a … No more ads and full access? The path is steep in parts, and can be challenging to less experienced walkers. Walk 82 – Goatfell, Isle of Arran – 10.9 miles. Timi needed to test her both her fitness and her new gear. Having never climbed before, I was a bit apprehensive. Where did we park? Get climbbybike AdFree. All the right preparations and gear are still essential for the ‘tourist route’ even in good weather, which is a fair hike from sea level to 2866 feet. – or retrace steps to North Goatfell then on to The Saddle (there is some scrambling here) and out via Glen Sannox You can get the bus back to your car, or thumb a lift, or run! We'd also like to set optional analytics cookies to help us improve it. Not a particularly hard climb, but do take good footwear and be prepared for changes in weather. At any point on the climb, the shortest way to get back down is to turn round and retrace your steps. Goat Fell may also be climbed from the north, where it is linked by a ridge to the subsidiary top of North Goatfell, a point from which three ridges radiate. All the walking routes up Goatfell Peak Challenges. The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Walkers and mountaineers who venture into this dramatic and challenging upland landscape are rewarded with spectacular views of the island and, on a clear day, across to Ben Lomond, Jura and the coast of Ireland. Goatfell is the highest mountain on Arran and we had been looking for a suitable day to climb it before we left. 01770 302 244 Website. A fine pyramidal peak and a magnificent viewpoint, Goatfell is the highest of the mountains on Arran and the culminating point of some dramatic granite ridges. Arran is a wonderful island, and Goatfell a great little mountain. You don%26#039;t really need anything special, but depends how confident you are with walking. The average percentage thus is 15.8 %. Laurie was sentenced to death, later commuted to a life sentence and spent the rest of his life in prison. Goatfell from Corrie. Join/Login. The maximum slope is 35%. Starting from Brodick, the Goatfell ascent is 5.3 km long. Over this distance, you climb 843 heightmeters. Other routes and challenges. Due to the popularity of "Scotland in miniature" (Arran), Goat Fell is a very popular peak and there are many possible routes of ascent, some of which may be combined with visits to the summits of other nearby peaks. In winter months please check the local snow conditions at sais.gov.uk. This trip was for our 7th wedding anniversary. Breakfast on the ferry was toast and jam with a coffee to start my day. If you want to climb the Goatfell, you can find more information on how to train to climb the Goatfell here. Buggy-friendly and dog-friendly walks are highlighted. A short video of my ascent and decent of Goatfell the tallest mountain of the Isle of Arran. Goatfell from Brodick Castle. A long day out! Climbing Goatfell on the Isle of Arran? How long did it take? Necessary cookies enable core functionality on our website. Must do in Arran (if able). are required. With just a day left of our short break on this island, we decided we had to scale Arran's highest and best-known peak, Goatfell. Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of Goat Fell, as well as the logistics of climbing to the summit. The walk is approximately 7 miles long, and can take 4 - 5 hours to complete for the average walker. The walk continues to Goatfell's summit from where a quiet return to the coast road is made following Corrie Burn eastwards. peakery; Log a climb. Looking out to Firth of Clyde from Goatfell summit (1280x960).jpg So it was a bit disconcerting that even at 876 metres up an unwelcome guest suddenly poked his … great care still needs to be taken especially with good footwear (walking boots) and clothes (to adjust to quickly changing weather). At some times of year midges will get you! *** Pin this post for later: In addition to the ridge leading south to the main summit, there is a ridge heading northeast, providing some very easy scrambling as it passes over Cìoch na h-Òighe (the Young Maiden's Breast). From the birthplace of Scotland’s National Bard to the highest peak on the Isle of Arran, there’s so much to discover in Ayrshire & Arran. The Goatfell should be climbed with a mountainbike. Average slope 15.8 % Length km Altitude start 7 m Altitude top 850 m Drop 843 m Maximum slope 35 %. We chatted a lot on the way up and I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking. Goatfell (Goat Fell) is a summit in the Arran region or range in Scotland. It was a 4.30am wake up call to get ready and catch the 7am ferry from Ardrossan, North Ayrshire. Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of Goat Fell, as well as the logistics of climbing to the summit. We parked one car at the Wine Port in Brodick and left the other in a small layby in Corrie. With every step we took the wind threatened to sweep us off our feet but, ducking in and out of the boulders on the path, we continued to climb. This is the most direct route to the summit, and on average takes five hours to climb up and down, not including breaks. Gillian's Walks Reviews, photography and route information for walks in Ayrshire, Fife, Glasgow & the Scottish hills. Keep up to date with the latest news from the Trust, ideas for great days out and the work that we do for the love of Scotland. The hillphones service can inform you of stalking activities in the area. From Brodick the route ascends on a good path through woodland and heather moorland. Goatfell Peak by silhouette from Brodick Bay. Finally, the western ridge drops down to a bealach known as The Saddle, before climbing again towards the summit of Cìr Mhòr. The trail up here is fairly straight forward most of the time, but has a few spots that have about 3 or 4 feet steps to climb up, so … I now began to climb for real for the first time, carefully negotiating the tough climb up onto the shoulder of Meall Breac where the path now swung left and headed directly for the summit. Categories. We use necessary cookies to make our site work. Train to climb the Goatfell in 2020 Tricks and tips to start training to climb the Goatfell. A view of Brodick Bay from the stony trail up to Goatfell Peak.. Goatfell summit looking across at Cir Mhor or the “Great Comb.” (Properly pronounced here.). This Friday was our best opportunity. Climbing Goatfell, Isle of Arran, Scotland. …. As we skirted past Goatfell, the huge County Top of Buteshire, I knew I'd be back to walk it. Climbing Goatfell Goatfell, Isle of Arran. Be the first to submit your climbing note! Picture postcard Goatfell is often eulogised as ‘Arran in Miniature’ and it does ring true, especially when you are climbing the ‘Highland’ half of the island. This route joins the main path on the east ridge. Map. In the end we climbed Goatfell and went on to walk to Sannox over the north ridge on a nice day but with some intense wind at points. Comments are closed. Goat Fell above Goatfell (Goat Fell) is 874 metres high. He is very outdoorsy and was desperate to climb Goatfell. The most commonly used route, a constructed path of just over 3 miles (5 km) in length, starts from near Brodick Castle in Cladach. Discover more about events and ranger-guided walks at some of our upland places. Many of our places are still open. Your preferences have been set. A hearty climb into the wilderness, Goat Fell is the highest peak on the Isle of Arran, and the perfect viewpoint to gaze across the island and out to sea. After bypassing some of the tors on the ridge we began the climb up to Goatfell with Lisa proving to be fitter than me on this stage. Although they’re not quite as majestic as the soaring peaks you’ll find elsewhere in the Scottish Highlands they’re still well worth climbing for the stunning views they offer from the top with Cir Mhor, Beinn Tarsuinn, and Caisteal Abhail offering hardened climbers a tough ascent up steep granite boulders.. Be the first to submit your climbing note! Give yourself a day to do it and take up some lunch. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. Zak’s dad, Ian Scott, is climbing Goatfell with 9 of his work mates to raise funds for Zak’s Foundation on Saturday 17th May. It was a nice little summit but we did not linger too long before heading across the Stacach ridge to Goatfell, a prime target for me since Lisa and I had made a day trip to the island two years before. The Goatfell property also includes 2,400ha of mountain environment and moorland including Glen Rosa, a spectacular example of a landscape shaped by glaciers. Goat Fell (marked as Goatfell by the Ordnance Survey; Scottish Gaelic: Gaoda Bheinn) is the highest point on the Isle of Arran. - See 126 traveller reviews, 157 candid photos, and great deals for Isle of Arran, UK, at Tripadvisor. Goatfell, from Brodick Castle. Look out for buzzards and golden eagles soaring high in the sky. These climbs you have climbed by seconding or top-roping. Please submit any useful information about climbing Goat Fell that may be useful to other climbers. A sunny view along the Cioch na h-Oighe ridge on Goat Fell, An emperor moth sits on a twig at Goat Fell, A sunny yet cloudy view from the top of Goat Fell, A view of the Firth of Clyde from Goat Fell. Allow 2 - 4 hours ascent with stunning panoramic views at the top. This is the most popular route, so the path is obvious until the very last climb to the summit. It can get cold and windy up on the tops. We did a circuit from Corrie, up to North Goat Fell, then across to Goat Fell, downhill and eventually back to the ferry. United Kingdom England-Merseyside Brodick Goatfell climb. At first I hadn't a clue where the start of the trail would be, and ended up asking about to see if anyone knew it. ... and on average takes five hours to climb up and down, not including breaks. This is a real mountain walk, and good walking boots, mountain weather clothing and normal walking equipment (walking poles, compass, map, etc.) [1], https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle-2-15039/mountain-top-death-did-he-slip-or-was-he-pushed-1-465841, Goat Fell tourist trail, map and large images, mountains of Britain and Ireland (the P600s), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Goat_Fell&oldid=984997885, Highest points of historic Scottish counties, Pages using infobox mountain with grid ref, Pages using infobox mountain with deprecated parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 23 October 2020, at 10:20. However if you have climbed the path up Goatfell you basically want to sit there, enjoy your lunch and take in the view. Goatfell Climb. After the bridge and the deer fence the wind was stronger, so heads were down for a wee while fighting the wind. Goatfell From Brodick, Steve dropped me off at 2.20pm. At 874 metres (2,866 ft), it is one of four Corbetts on the island. These climbs you have Dogged. Please submit any useful information about climbing Goat Fell that may be useful to other climbers. location only) Walk Route Description. Goatfell has three main peaks, Goatfell (874m) and North Goatfell (818m) which are connected by the pinnacled Stacach Ridge, and Mullach Buidhe (819m) to the N. A ridge walk between the three peaks is possible, the only difficulty being the pinnacles on the Stacach ridge but it is possible to skirt round these. Goatfell is the highest peak on the Isle of Arran and from the top… Skip to content. With our Inca Trail trip less than a month away, a Goatfell climb was good training.