This straightforward Corbett makes a good short day out. The ascent is not too steep and rewarded by a plateau traverse on springy turf to the summit trig point with excellent views to Ben Nevis, Loch Arkaig, Loch Lochy and all the surrounding mountains.
Summary
Straightforward climb on easy going ground with a path for the first section and then pathless. Navigation skills needed for the plateau in bad weather, descent mostly pathless heather.
Terrain
NN125831
Grid ref
8.5km/5.25 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
Public transport
1. There is very limited parking just before Inverskilavulin Bridge, but be careful not to block the driveway. From here cross the bridge and turn right following the ornate sign for Inverskilavulin Lodges. Just before the locked gate turn left and follow a faint path uphill to the right of the fence. Continue ahead and do not cross the small bridge on the right, keeping the trees surrounding the Allt Coire Mhuilinn to your right. A grassy path heads uphill through the bracken keeping an even distance from the stream and heading up increasingly steep ground.
2. When you can see the sides of the stream becoming less steep ahead and once you have left the trees behind, bear slightly west to follow a broad nose of steep ground. This steady climb is rewarded with good views back to the south east of the north side of Ben Nevis. Eventually the rim of the corrie comes into view on the right hand side and after a slightly flatter section the final pull to the plateau. An almost flat walk brings you to a cairn with excellent views to the wild area north of Loch Arkaig.
3. Keep following the rim of Coire Mhuilinn, there is a line of robust old fence posts that provide good navigational aids in poor weather, although they are spaced widely apart. Roughly follow this to the low point on the rim, where there is a good view down to Loch Arkaig and Inver Mallie bothy below.
4. Climb up the other side, still following the fence posts, and head east south east to reach the summit (771m) which is marked with a cairn and a trig point. To start the descent cross the level ground from the summit in a west south west direction and keep following the less steep ground heading directly for the view of Ben Nevis ahead. The ground is easy going with stones in places and an intermittent path. After about 0.5km bear to the right heading further west to descend heathery ground to the right of the Allt Coire Mhuilin.
5. When the fence below becomes visible keep heading down towards the point where it meets the stream, a path now leads over a small ridge and then around the corner of the fence to descend next to the water. There are a number of falls and pools on this section, with the houses at Inverskilavulin visible ahead. Follow the grassy path and just before the fence surrounding the houses turn right and then cross a small wooden bridge before turning left to follow the outward path back to the driveway where you turn right to reach the road at Inverskilavulin Bridge.
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