Sgurr Thuilm & Sgurr nan Coireachan
ARDNAMURCHAN AND THE ROAD TO THE ISLES
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1. Turn up the Glenfinnan (tarmac) track just west of the bridge over the River Finnan. Park the car in the small car park here. The impressive monument seen across the other side of the road is worth a visit – it commemorates where Bonnie Price Charlie first raised his standard at the start of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. The walk to the Munros heads along the tarmac, but private, road from the car park leading up the glen, heading away from the monument.
2. After a short distance it passes underneath the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is part of the famous West Highland railway. The Viaduct has become even better known in recent years after it starred in the Harry Potter movies. Continue up the tarmac road beyond, ignoring the turning off to the right over the river. The road runs up the glen, with forestry clothing the hills on both sides. After another three kilometres it crosses a bridge over the Allt a Chaol-ghlinne. Over the bridge, turn off the tarmac onto the rougher road to the right.
3. This rougher track soon reaches the old cottage of Corryhully. This is maintained by the estate as an open bothy for use outside the stalking season. Continue on the track up the west bank of the River Finnan for another couple of kilometres until the river forks and the main branch is crossed on a bridge. Cross the bridge and continue until you have passed a small plantation. A short distance after this, turn left off the main path (there are traces of a path) and climb steeply onto the Druim Coire a'Bheithe ridge. The easiest line is a little to the right of a stream.
Photo ©Andrea Roberts, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. The slope eases above the 600 metre contour; continue uphill on the long grassy ridge which eventually curves left and crosses a minor bump before the final pull up to Sgurr Thuilm; there are fenceposts in places. The ridge is fairly wide but there are very steep drops off either side. At 963 metres this is the highest of the day's two Munros, and has good views into Knoydart to the north. Retrace your steps back down as far as the fenceposts before bearing right onto the knobbly ridge which leads round to Sgurr nan Coireachan. There are several rocky bumps along the ridge, but there is a path that should be picked up on the first bealach that helps in negotiating them all. There are good views throughout the traverse.
5. There are four of these minor summits along the way, and the rough ground makes this a tiring traverse before the true ascent up to Sgurr nan Coireachan begins. This second Munro has a cylindrical trig point at 956 metres, and although lower than Sgurr Thuilm it is a better summit and a finer viewpoint. From here, follow the southeast ridge down towards the minor peak of Sgurr a Choire Riabhaich.
6. Traverse the narrow and steep sided ridge of Sgurr a Choire Riabhaich with care. The next section of descent is fairly steep. Once the slope begins to ease, pick up a good stalkers path that descends to the left before heading diagonally down the east flank or the ridge. This leads back to the track used earlier; turn right to return to Corryhully and then continue back to Glenfinnan.
Photo ©Patrick De Jode, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
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