Brothers Ridge - Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirg
KINTAIL: GLEN SHIEL AND DORNIE
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1. The starting point of the walk is a layby on the A87 between two sections of forestry. Note that this is a one-way walk and you'll need to use public transport or a lift back up the road to return to this start point. There is a narrow but clearly defined path starting from the layby which heads steeply up the slopes to the north. This first climb of the day is barely a kilometre long, but very steep as 550 metres have to be gained to reach the Bealach an Lapain. Once above the forestry the route zigzags further to the east but never stops heading hard uphill.
2. From the Bealach na Lapain, turn right. The ridge has a well worn path and climbs very easily and directly to the summit cairn of Saileag, at 956 metres. Saileag feels fairly insignificant when compared with the other mountains on the ridge and given the short descent beyond the summit it is something of a suprise to find it is the first Munro of the day.
3. Continue east along the ridge, descending just eighty metres or so to a col. Beyond there are a couple of minor summits to traverse before a small tarn indicates the start of a more prolonged climb up towards the next mountain. This climb ends as the ridge levels off, turning southeast before the final gentle ascent to the summit ridge of Sgurr a'Bhealaich Dheirg. There is a cairn at 1030 metres at this point, but the actual summit of the mountain is a short distance along the very narrow and slightly scrambly northeast ridge, which strangely has a drystone dyke built along it. At 1038 metres, a much finer cairn marks the true summit.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, reproduced under this licence.
4. Retrace your steps back to the main, broader ridge of the mountain before beginning a descent down the wide southeastern slopes, keeping the steeper slopes on your left, until the ridge becomes more distinctive once more as it turns east and drops again to the col at 827 metres. From the col, climb on a good path up to the 938 metre top, after which there is a small dip before the final climb to the summit of Munro number three, Aonach Meadhoin, at 1001 metres. From here, descend steeply at first before following a fine ridge over the prominent top of Sgurr an Fhuarail.
5. Munro-baggers with plenty of energy may choose to descend the NNE ridge down to boggy Bealach a'Choinich and to include Ciste Dhubh in the day, whilst others will be content and will descend the southeast ridge of Sgurr an Fhuarail. The ridge descends simply at first, but it is necessary to traverse over a couple of minor summits to avoid the steep slopes on either side of the ridge.
6. From the final bump at 843 metres, descend southwards, keeping the steepest ground to your left on the way down, before descending southeast to join the A87 opposite the Cluanie Inn. You are about four kilometres from the start of the walk, so hopefully you've remembered to check the bus times or have arranged at lift!
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