Loch Ossian circuit from Corrour Station

This circuit of remote Loch Ossian can be done in a day from the railway station at Corrour or by staying at one of the Youth Hostels - it is a long walk, in forestry in places, but with good mountain views and a chance to view modern Corrour Lodge at the far end of the loch.

Terrain

Good track, almost level, fairly long walk in a very remote location.

Public Transport

Trains to Corrour from Fort William and Glasgow

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Start

Corrour railway station (train only - no access by road). Map and directions.

grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 14.5km/9 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 85m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NN356664

Maps / GPS

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Catch a train to Corrour Station. The remotest stop on the UK rail network, it isn't accessible by road. The large building has long been an independent hostel and cafe but in 2010 was taken over as a SYHA hostel to complement the small rustic hostel near the Loch. Begin the walk along the vehicle track across the moor to the east. When the track forks follow it round to the left. The tiny Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is visible on the near shore of the loch.

Stage 2

Directly ahead the small green wooden building of Loch Ossian Youth Hostel can be seen down amongst the trees - this once served as the waiting room for the steamer. Keep following the track, keeping right where another track branches off to the left. This would be the start of the route up the Munro of Beinn na Lap, one of the easier over 3000 foot mountains to climb as the railway station is already at over 1300 feet. However our route continues around the Loch heading eventually for a large area of forestry.

Stage 3

Forestry has played a big part in the history of Corrour Estate which was even owned by the Forestry Commission for a brief period. The original Lodge was built in the early 19th century and the sporting estate was further developed by Sir John Stirling Maxwell who bought it in 1891 following the arrival of the railway. Sir John was active in the founding of the Forestry Commission in 1919 and the National Trust for Scotland as well being active in the Scottish Youth Hostel Association. He was also responsible for pioneering the growing of conifers on peat, which has resulted in large areas of forestry throughout upland Scotland. Across the water there are good views towards the mountains of Carn Dearg, Sgor Gaibhre and Sgor Choinnich. At the far end of the Loch turn right at at junction - the left branch is the only vehicular access (built in 1972 by the Forestry Commission) to the estate buildings here. Pass a memorial to Sir John Stirling Maxwell on the left and then follow the track around the back of the modern day lodge, passing an impressive turf-roofed sauna house down on the right.

Stage 4

The old lodge burnt down in 1942 and following a change of estate ownership to the TetraPak heiress Lisbet Rausing, the new grey granite and glass lodge was completed in 2003. Looking a bit like the lair of a baddie in a James Bond movie, the building was designed by architect Moshe Safdie, who also designed the iconic Jerusalem Holocaust Museum. You can get glimpses of the building as you follow the track and then continue to pass the outflow of the Loch and then a cluster of estate buildings - keep right at a fork.

Stage 5

Keep right at the next junction to pass a wooden house on the left and continue towards the forestry where rhododendrons flower in the spring. Ignore a short track to the right which leads down to the loch and continue on the main track - at a clearing there are great views across to Beinn na Lap.

Stage 6

Once the route emerges from the forestry, through sparse birch trees there are lovely mountain views. Go through a gate and the end of the loch can now be seen with Ben Nevis over to the right in the distance on a clear day. At a cross-tracks a short detour to right visits Loch Ossian youth hostel - one of Scotland's oldest, open since 1931, and given a green makeover in 2003. It enjoys a beautiful location on the shores of the loch. Otherwise continue ahead, following the track back to the Station House which has very recently been taken over by the SYHA to provide more hostel accommodation and a cafe. There is also a small waiting room on the platform.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.