A varied circuit on clear and well made paths with good mountain views. Beautiful scots pine wood and waterfalls along Easan Dorcha make this a perfect lunch spot. The final section of the walk has fine views down Lochcarron and across the sea.
Summary
A varied circular walk on excellent stalker's paths and forestry track. The route crosses two passes but the ascent is steady rather than steep.
Terrain
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1. If driving, park at the layby on the A890 opposite the telephone box and the private road to Achnashellach station. From here walk up the road to the station, turning right after the outbuildings. Cross the railway line with care and proceed up the track a short way until you reach a crossroads. Here turn left slightly back on yourself and continue on a forestry track, passing through a gate and into thinning trees. Ahead there is a good view of the prow of Fuar Tholl; at 907 metres it just misses out on Munro status. After a short distance take a path to the left marked with a very small cairn of white stones. If you miss the path and continue on the track into thicker trees turn back as the way ahead is blocked by a fence higher up. The path heads towards the River Lair, passing through a gate with an ingenious dog stile, and through a mixture of gorse, broom, birch and single pine trees.
2. The path begins to climb revealing fuller views of Fuar Tholl to the left and passing the Achnashellach Estate deer stalking information sign. The stalking season here is 15 September to 20 October during which walkers should keep to the paths or phone the estate for further information. Follow the stony path as it winds uphill, ignoring a smaller path to the left. The ground becomes much barer as the path climbs above the last single pines. After the gradient eases off, a path junction is reached. Marked with a cairn this route leads to the bealach between Fuar Tholl and Sgorr Ruadh. Ignore this turning and continue straight on with Beinn Liath Mhor looming ahead.
3. Soon a second, larger cairn is reached on the right. This marks the path up into Coire Lair. Stay right here as the path climbs again. Ignore a third path to the left and soon begin the descent with open views ahead. The path is clear as it cuts through the heather and crosses a couple of streams.
4. Soon it runs parallel to the pretty mixed woodland on the other side of the river. A wooden bridge allows you to cross another stream with an impressive waterfall just before you reach the bothy at Easan Dorcha. The tiny “teahouse” is now maintained by the volunteers of the Mountain Bothy Association and makes a ideal lunch spot. Visited in 2006 by Michelle Pfieffer and Robert de Niro when they were filming Stardust at nearby Coulin, the humble hut is popular with walkers, cyclists and fishermen; please leave a report on its condition at its page on the MBA website. From here a track leads down to the stone bridge over the River Coulin about 2 kilometres further on.
5. Just before reaching the bridge, there are great views of Beinn Eighe to the right. Turn right and cross the bridge and follow the track as it begins its steady ascent to Coulin Pass. On a clear day the view back is fabulous with majestic Beinn Eighe in the background and impressive single Scots pines in the foreground. Follow the landrover track, ignoring a smaller track down to the river. At the top of the pass continue on the track and pass through the gate into forestry.
6. The forestry track traverses the hillside, gently dropping to Achnashellach. Where trees have been felled there are good views across the valley and later down Loch Carron. Ignore the pony track to Craig and continue on the main track. A forestry track comes in from the left, continue straight on, crossing a bridge and passing two telecommunications masts. Eventually the track reaches the cross roads at the start of the walk. Go straight across and down to the railway station where the outward route is retraced to the layby on the A890. In the summer months teas are often available at the house just north of the railway crossing.
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