Sron a Choire Ghairbh & Meall na Teanga, Loch Lochy
LOCH LOCHY, GLEN GARRY AND KNOYDART
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1. There is parking on the grassy verges just before the road crosses the bridge over the Kilfinnan Burn. Take care not to obstruct any passing or turning places. Begin the walk by crossing the bridge and following the Great Glen Way past the farm and along the track which runs along the edge of some woodland and passes some chalets before entering the forest.
2. When the track forks, the Great Glen Way goes onto the left fork and heads downhill towards the Loch shore. Don't follow this, instead forking right and continuing on the track which rises gently through the trees; another track joins from the right further on. Continue for about two more kilometres until there is a boulder and a footpath sign on the right of the track; this is the place to turn off right onto the footpath.
Photo ©John Ellis, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
3. The path climbs steeply through the forest before finally breaking free and emerging above the trees. From here the 'Cam Bhealach' path continues clearly along the north side of the valley of the Allt Glas Doire, aiming for the narrow pass between the two hills. This route follows the line of an old 'Coffin Road' and was used by crofters from the remote region to the north to carry their dead to the graveyard at Kilfinnan. Continue right up to the bealach itself.
Photo ©John Ellis, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. Both Munros are readily climbed from here. Sron a Choire Garbh rises steeply on the north side of the bealach, but there is an excellent stalkers path which zigzags to and fro up the slope, making the ascent much easier. The rounded grassy ridge is reached and from there it is a short walk northwest along the edge of the broken cliffs to the summit cairn. Sron a Choire Ghairbh is 937 metres high – a Munro. There are impressive views up the Great Glen and towards the wilderness of Knoydart, but most eyes will be on the next Munro, Meall na Teanga, backed by Ben Nevis. Return to the bealach back down the stalkers path.
5. This time head south from the bealach. The way isn't as clear as on Sron a Choire Ghairbh, but keep to the right as you gain height to avoid ascending Meall Dubh. Once at the bealach behind Meall Dubh, it is easiest to aim to the right of Meall na Teanga's summit and then join the broad north ridge, turning up this to the cairn. At 918 metres, Meall na Teanga just qualifies for Munro status. The view into Knoydart, with the shapely Sgurr na Ciche prominent, and of Ben Nevis, is better than that from Sron a Choire Ghairbh.
6. Return back down to the bealach, and then follow the coffin path back into the forest and return to Kilfinnan. We've walked an alternative route to these hills which is more of a circuit, via Gleann Cia-aig, but this includes an extremely boggy section at the head of that glen, so we'd recommend the Kilfinnan route as being more enjoyable.
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