Gleann Lichd

KINTAIL: GLEN SHIEL AND DORNIE


Summary :	Gleann Lichd is a quintessential wild Highland glen. There are few easy walks in the Kintail area, but this glen has a simple track; the walk up the glen can be made as short as you like.
Terrain :	The walk follows a simple track throughout.
Grade :		Distance :	13km/8 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1 - 4 hours
Start :	Morvich	Grid ref :	NG961211
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 414 - Glen Shiel online	Ascent :	245m
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 a reasonable bus service along the A87, served by Citilink buses from Glasgow and Inverness. Ask to get off at Allt a'chruinn, which is two kilometres from Morvich.[Click for timetables - choose Area 4]

1. Park at the National Trust for Scotland Morvich countryside centre, opposite Morvich Caravan Club site. Continue along the road on foot; it is possible to avoid most of the tarmac walking by following picturesque paths along the river back just to the left of the road. This path passes through fine woodland. The path comes back onto the road by a junction just before the Kintail Outdoor centre. Turn right onto a track here - where the public footpath sign directs for 'Glen Affric via Gleann Lichd' (amongst other places).

2. The rest of the walk follows the track, and can be followed as far as you wish before returning. The character of the walk changes completely as the track heads into Gleann Lichd, the great, wild glen behind the Five Sisters of Kintail. Gleann Lichd has no roads and is completely peaceful; it is a bare, treeless glen with grand mountains all around.

3. The track leads easily up the glen for about six kilometres. The steep mountain on the left side is Beinn Fhada, whilst on the right are the Five Sisters - as you proceed up the glen you get views of the steep valleys leading up between the peaks. The river in the valley bottom is the Croe, which can look inviting for a paddle on a fine summer's day, whilst being a powerful torrent when in spate.

4. If you continue for the whole six kilometres, the track ends at an isolated building. This is shown as Gleann Lichd House on the OS map; today it is a locked club hut for Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club. From here, the footpath begins to climb into much more rugged terrain - the continuation in described in the Gleann Lichd / Bealach na Sgairne circuit; however this is a far tougher and very long propsition. Those out for a ramble should turn back from here.

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