This enjoyable walk takes in three Munros on the north side of Loch Cluanie. Though less steep and shapely than their Glen Shiel counterparts, these mountains give an excellent walk with grand views into their fine eastern corries.
Summary
Fairly rounded and easy going mountains by Kintail standards, with a good stalkers path on the approach.
Terrain
NH144103
Grid ref
17km/10.5 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
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. Park in the large layby at Lundie (no buildings!) on the A87. The mountains are very foreshortened from here, only really appearing full height from much further down towards Glen Moriston. Start the walk by walking on an old section of the main road on the north side of the current road. After a short distance, turn left up a worn, stony track which climbs up steeply towards a mobile phone transmitter mast; the old military road followed by this track has been rather spoiled in its construction. Continue past the mast to find a cairn marking the start of a stalkers path going off to the right. Turn up this path.
2. The stalkers path is a real delight, being well-graded and almost dry underfoot. It climbs up to reach a flatter shoulder at An Cruachan before climbing again and tackling the steep slope on the left of Coire nan Clach in a series of sharp zigzags. Above this section the west ridge of Carn Ghluasaid is joined and is enjoyable to follow; the path doesn't finally run out until the flattish, bouldery plateau is reached.
Photo © Iain MacDiarmid
3. It may be hard to determine the exact highest point of Carn Ghluasaid, but the summit cairn (957 metres) is situated on the northern edge of the plateau with steep cliffs falling immediately beyond. This rather insignificant summit is a Munro. Continue the walk, with route finding now easier once more, along the ridge, keeping the impressive cliffs of the corrie on your right. There is only a very short descent before a longer climb leads up to the top of Creag a'Chaorainn, where the ridge curves left.
Photo © Iain MacDiarmid
4. Cross the again rather insignificant dip of the Creag Bealach before the ridge turns north and climbs more steeply to the quite graceful summit dome of Sgurr nan Conbhairean. This massive Munro is one of the giants of the area at 1110 metres, and gives very extensive views, particularly impressive looking east over the corries. Go northwest for a short distance before descending the longer north ridge; again the cliffs continue unbroken on the right hand side.
Photo: Doogz
5. Once at the bealach, there is only short rise to the first and insignificant summit of Sail Chaorainn; a minor bump though it may seem, this is the third Munro of the day at 1002 metres, just a metre higher than the remoter north top. Return to the bealach below Sgurr nan Conbhairean. It isn't necessary to climb all the way back over the summit; about a hundred and fifty metres short of the summit there is a path which traverses round it to the right.
Photo: Doogz
6. Descend the southwest ridge, which is initially broad but soon narrows to a fine arete with the Gorm Lochan down to the right and Toll Easach to the left. The ridge rises ahead to Drochaid an Tuill Easaich; it isn't necessary to head right up to this summit, but instead simply descend it's south ridge once this is joined. This is an excellent descent, with good views of Coire Lair on the left. Much lower down the ridge becomes indistinct around Meall Breac; there is a path which descends southeast towards the Allt Coire nan Clach. You can either cross this stream and descend a path which runs above it to the east, or simply keep the same side. Either way, the descent continues down to the old Military road. If you've descended the west bank, you may need to slither just below the road to find another crossing place if the water level is high. Afterwards, go east along the military road which climbs slightly and passes the mobile phone transmitter once more on the descent back to Lundie.
Photo: Doogz
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