The finest walk in Morvern, this classic horseshoe makes a complete circuit of the ridges surrounding Glen Galmadale, including the two Corbetts, Fuar Bheinn and Creach Bheinn. There are significant drops between some of the five tops traversed. Althought it is possible to bypass Beinn na Cille or drop down from Maol Odhar to shorten the day this would detract from a glorious round.
Summary
Rough ridgewalking on mostly grassy ridges.
Terrain
NM866531
Grid ref
15.5km/9.5 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. Leave yourself time to enjoy the views on the drive along the B8043, this is one of the nicest bits of single track road in the Highlands, although a bit hairy in places if there is oncoming traffic. There is ample parking east of the bridge at Glengalmadale farm. From the car park go across the bridge and follow the road SW until you reach the edge of a small plantation. Climb steeply up between the wood and a small burn until the top edge of the forestry is reached. Then head SW to gain the ridge of Beinn na Cille, from where fine views can be had down Loch Linnhe. Proceed N passing many little rocky outcrops to Beinn na Cille's summit. There are fantastic views across Loch Linnhe and the flat, fertile island of Lismore.
2. Continue steeply down to a col at 459m. Then head due N to the summit of Fuar Bheinn, first over grassy slopes but becoming rocky as the summit is approached. The first Corbett of the day, the views are now opening up inland too, as Creach Bheinn, Garbh Bheinn and distant Sgurr Dhonuill come into view. To the SW are the complex ridge and corries of Beinn Mheadhoin, from beyond which you will probably be able to hear the sound of machinery from the superquarry of Glensanda, thankfully not itself visible.
3. Descend the NW ridge of Fuar Bheinn until you are abreast of the wide boggy col above Coire a'Chuill Mhaim. Head down to the col and pick your way across until you reach the base of Creach Bheinn's W ridge. Climb over stony but easy ground to the summit. This is the highest mountain in Morvern and has particularly good views into Ardgour.
4. Turn NE past the ruins marked as 'camp' on the OS map. These are supposed to be the remains of a look-out post from the times of the Napoleonic wars, when an invasion was feared. Go over a rocky knoll then after about 400m head east on a narrower section of ridge down to the bealach before climbing to the domed summit of Maol Odhar. Now head down over broadening grassy slopes, SE at first but following the curving ridge as it sweeps to the SSW. Along the way you should spot one or two oddly neat piles of aircraft wreckage. These are some of the remains of a USAF F101 Voodoo from RAF Bentwaters in Suffolk, which exploded in mid-air in May 1964.
5. After a little col a short climb takes you to the top of Meall nan Each. The views over Loch Linnhe are again superb; Ben Nevis is in clear view up the loch. Carry on down the Druim na Maodhalaich over various little knolls.
6. You may come across feral goats grazing the steep slopes. Grand views open up in both directions across Loch Linnhe as you proceed. Eventually angle down rough grassy ground to reach the B8043 just short of Glengalmadale farm and the car park.
This walk was contributed by Doug Tulloch
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