Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais is thirty metres short of Munro status and is very much the forgotten peak on the great range along the south side of Glen Shiel. Nonetheless it gives a good hillwalk with views over its more famous neighbours.
Summary
Stalkers path for ascent to ridge - boggy and indistinct at times. Descent along ridge is steep and scrambly before return via corrie.
Terrain
NG973137
Grid ref
10km/6.25 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Users'
rating
There is a reasonable bus service along the A87, served by Citilink buses from Glasgow
and Inverness.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. There is parking in a large layby on the south side of the A87 just over two hundred metres east of the Malagan Bridge. Begin the walk by heading west along the verge of the A87 (don't be tempted to head directly for the glen as the route is blocked by a deer fence). Before reaching the bridge turn left through a gate with footpath signs for Loch Quoich, Tomdoun and Kinlochhourn. Follow the rough track - soon becoming a path. It reaches the river and the most-trodden route crosses here en route for Faochaig, Sgurr na Sgine and the Saddle. Our route does not cross but instead continues upstream, crossing on a wooden bridge a short distance further up.
2. On the far side the path becomes indistinct for a time; continue climbing roughly southwest up the glen. When a fence is reached the path becomes much clearer and runs along close to it; the going is wet underfoot at times. After around a kilometre a minor confluence is reached and the path - now clearer - climbs more steeply southwest, keeping high above some waterslides. At 370 metres it crosses the Allt Coire Toiteil below a series of waterfalls. On the far side follow the path upstream for 150 metres before the path swings left and begins to climb the steep slopes towards the bealach - at the time of our visit a cairn marked this point.
3. The path - once an important route but now indistinct - needs to be followed carefully as it eventually zig-zags up to the Bealach Duibh Leac. The ridge is marked by a drystone dyke which stretches away eastwards over the Munros of the South Cluanie Ridge, and there are stunning views down Glen Quoich to Gleouriach and Spidean Mialach. Follow the wall SWS along the ridge, climbing over point 802 and then descending slightly before the final ascent to the Corbett.
4. The summit cairn of Sgurr a' Bhac Chaolais is the second of two bumps. The views now really open up, with Ladhar Bheinn in Knoydart very prominent above Loch Hourn and the Forcan Ridge of the Saddle also magnificent, seen over the steep rocky cone of Sgurr na Sgine. The easiest descent is to retrace your steps, but it is also possible to make a circuit. To do this continue WNW along the ridge; the wall is no more but there are occasional fenceposts.
5. The descent becomes increasingly rocky, with one particularly steep and scrambly section requiring care. There is then a brief section over boulders before the flatter, grassy terrain of the bealach is reached. The crags of Sgurr na Sgine rise steeply on the far side and block any direct continuation to the Munro (those wishing to continue are advised to divert left by the sections of wall); instead descend into the wide bowl of Coire Toteil. The descent is on steep grassy slopes at first but once the corrie is reached becomes more straightforward.
6. Stay on the south side of the stream and continue down the corrie, keeping well to the right of a big waterfall, to rejoin the outward route. Retrace your steps back over the Allt Coire Toteil where it was crossed earlier and continue back all the way down into Glen Shiel and the start.
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