Gleouriach & Spidean Mialach
LOCH LOCHY, GLEN GARRY AND KNOYDART
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1. Park on a road verge (not blocking a parking space) close to the start of the stalkers path from Loch Quoich at NH032028. Start by heading up the old path, which slopes up the hillside to the right and passes beneath the electricity pylons. The route continues to gain height into the somewhat soggy Coire Mheil; keep to the path and cross the Allt Coire Mheil.
Photo ©Paul Birrell, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
2. The path now slopes uphill to reach the Allt Coire Dubh where the stalkers path ends; continue alongside this stream until it forks; here follow the right hand fork before breaking off to climb directly up the wide. steep but featureless slopes leading up to Spidean Mialach. The gradient eases higher up into a small plateau. Detour to the right along the ridge for a short distance to reach the large summit cairn, right on the edge of the dramatic northern cliffs. At 996 metres it is the smaller of the day's two Munros. Head back along the ridge.
Photo ©Michael Graham, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
3. From here the route becomes much more dramatic, as the ridge has a series of steep rocky corries on its northern side, looking across to the South Glen Shiel ridge. Keep close to this cliff edge as the ridge heads gently northwest at first bending left and then right on a steeper descent down to the Fiar Bhealaich at 735m.
Photo ©Michael Graham, looking back to Spidean Mialach; licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. From the bealach, a stalkers path winds its way up the steep slopes opposite; the climb eases twice before reaching the Top of Creag Coire na Fiar Bhealaich. From here the ridge descents gently before a final rocky climb to the large cairn (and trig) on Gleouraich, at 1035m the second Munro of the day. After enjoying the extensive views of Kintail and into Knoydart, continue along the ridge, which soon turns sharply to the left and descends onto a fine stalkers path once more.
Photo ©Michael Graham, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. The path descends to a flattish shoulder with a great view across Loch Quoich to Sgurr na Ciche, before descending just below the top of the Druim Seilleach ridge on the west side. This section of stalkers path is absolutely fantastic, with a tremendous feeling of space given by the very steep drop to the northern arm of Loch Quoich far below.
Photo ©wfmillar, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
6. Further down the path runs back onto the ridge and descends the Sron a Chuillin in a series of zigzags. It then heads downhill southeast towards the Allt Coire Peitireach and returns to the road just west of the day's start point.
Photo ©Michael Graham, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
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