Beinn Fhada is a bulky mountain with no sign of the graceful ridges elsewhere in Kintail. However an ascent of the mountain reveals its true character and fine northern corries.
Summary
A stalkers path gives a fairly straightforward route to the plateau, but crossing the plateau itself requires good navigation skills. The alternative descent involves a slabby scramble; in wet weather it should be avoided and the ascent route retraced.
Terrain
NG977222
Grid ref
16km/10 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Forestry commission car park, Dorusduain
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
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rating
There is a reasonable bus service along the A87, served by Citilink buses from Glasgow
and Inverness. Dorusduain forestry car park is about four kilometres from this bus route.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Turn off the A87 at Morvich, and just north of the Croe bridge take the private minor road up Strath Croe. The road passes Lienassie Farm and has a height restriction before reaching the forestry commission car park at the end of the road. Continue along the track along the valley floor for a short distance until taking a footpath off to the right which soon crosses the river via a footbridge. Across the bridge the path doglegs briefly to the right where it joins the old footpath up Gleann Choinneachain; turn left and head up the glen on this path.
2. The path is now clear of the trees and as the glen is ascended it takes on an increasingly wild character. For the most part the route keeps well above the river. The Allt a Choire Chaoil can usually be crossed on boulders, though it may be difficult or dangerous in spate. The stalkers path then climbs several zigzags en route for the Bealach an Sgairne. Do not continue right up to the bealach, instead turning right onto a smaller but still very clear path at a small cairn above the zigzag ascent. This new path contours round into the lower reaches of Coire an Sgairne
Photo
- Nigel Brown 
3. The scenery in this hidden corrie is impressive, as are the views across to the jagged Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh over to the right (this ridge can be used in descent). Continue up the stalkers path until it fades as it reaches the broad Sgurr an Doire Leathain ridge. Continue up this ridge, which soon broadens into a sweeping plateau. Navigation could be difficult here in mist.
Photo: Doogz
4. The summit of Beinn Fhada is to the southeast; it is possible to walk round the northern edge of the plateau to reach it, giving fine views of Loch a Bhealaich. A cylindrical trig point marks the summit, a Munro at 1032 metres. The easiest option for the descent is to reverse the route of ascent. It is also possible to head south and then east, traversing the mountain before descending to the upper reaches of Glen Affric, but this is not practical unless one is planning on camping or staying in the bothy or hostel in that glen.
Photo: Doogz
5. A third option, which makes a fine circular walk, is to descent via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge; this involves a slabby scramble at one point which would be difficult in the wet. This awkward section is easier tackled in this direction however. If descending via this alternative route, head west intially across the wide plateau of the Plaide Mhor. The plateau slopes downhill for some distance before ascending to the Top of Meall an Fhuarain Mhoir. From here, the plateau narrows dramatically to form a fine ridge. There is a steep descent to the Bealach an t-Sealgaire (Hunter's Pass), but it is the ascent up the far side of this pass which forms the awkward scramble, to Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh.
Photo: Doogz
6. From here, the undulating ridge is followed round over a series of knobbly summits beofre a steeper rocky descent is made, heading down towards the minor bump of Bheinn Bhuidhe. From here the ridge continues to curve to the left, before more featureless slopes are descended towards the foot of Gleann Lichd. Turn right along the track in the glen but before reaching the bridge turn right again onto the path which leads back round the base of the mountain, eventually running alongside the Abhainn Chonaig to return to the Dorusdain car park.
Photo
- Colin Park
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