Falls of Glomach via Glen Elchaig

KINTAIL: GLEN SHIEL AND DORNIE


Summary :	The Falls of Glomach are perhaps the most magnificent waterfalls in Britain, with a single leap of 113 metres (370 feet). They require a fair walk to reach from any direction; the shortest and more usual route is from Strath Croe but the approach up Glen Elchaig is a far finer walk, though much care is needed on the approach to the falls.
Terrain :	As far as where the path leaves Glen Elchaig the walking is straightforward but the path leading from the glen up to the falls crosses very steep and dangerous ground with mild scrambling on often slippery rocks above a big drop. This part of the walk should be avoided by those without a head for heights.
Grade :		Distance :	18km/11.25 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	5 - 7 hours
Start :	Camas-lunie car park	Grid ref :	NG948282
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 414 - Glen Shiel online	Ascent :	582m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more Open all walks in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	There is no public transport to the start of the walk; the nearest point is just over the causeway from Dornie but this is seven kilometres away.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

1. Park at Camas-lunie at the end of the winding minor road past Loch Long. There is car parking at the very end of the road in the hamlet. The walk begins on the track which is the continuation of the road, and soon passes through a gate. Continue straight ahead (there is a sign for 'Glomach'), ignoring the path off to the right. The track fords a stream (footbridge alongside) and becomes rougher; after about a kilometre and a half it dog-legs through a gate on the left.

2. From here the track peters out and the footpath isn't clear at first. Continue alongside the fence ignoring further gates on the left; soon you will reach a kissing-gate leading into the woods and the path becomes clear again. It leaves the woods at a further kissing gate and eventually leads to a modern farmhouse. Go pass the farmhouse and follow its access track down to the river and over the bridge. When you reach the much better track on the far side, turn right along it. The path now follows this track up Glen Elchaig for several kilometres, the landscape becoming wilder and more remote with every step.

3. The track passes by a couple of plantations before crossing the Allt an Daimh on a bridge. Beyond it ascends a little, giving good views up the glen, and passes two more plantations. At NH009271, turn off the track onto a newly constructed footpath off to the right. This leads to a two-part wooden footbridge over the River Elchaig (which can be seen from the track). Cross the brodge and follow the path which bends first left and then right before coming alongside the Allt a Ghlomaich, the stream coming down from the steep side valley seen ahead. Follow the at times boggy path which bends left to run alongside the little ravine. After a short distance the path descends and crosses it on a footbridge with good views of the swirling waters below. There is a National Trust for Scotland sign for the Falls of Glomach here.

4. Continue up the path, now on the far side of the stream. It is well constructed at first and soon begins to ascend up the grassy side of the ravine. The slopes below the path become progressively steeper, and the path appears to be heading straight for some steep rocks, but it doubles back to the right at the last moment. From here the path zigzags up the slope to pass above the crags, and some scrambling is necessary in places. Some may find this tricky, particularly if the rocks are wet, as there is a big drop below; however the way is fairly obvious. The path then slowly descends once more, continuing up the ravine and coming closer to the stream. As the Falls of Glomach become near, the path crosses a stream which would be very difficult in spate. Once across, it climbs once more, giving superb views of the falls. The path can be followed right to the top of the falls, where a natural balcony gives a terrifying view back down the great falls. Unless you don't have to return to a parked car at Camas-lunie, the best return is by the same route.

5. Falls of Glomach photograph by Wojsyl, reproduced from Wikipedia under GNU General Documentation licence).

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