Bad na Sgalag pinewood circuit
GAIRLOCH AND POOLEWE
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1. Park in the small car park beside the green barn a few hundred metres east of Loch Bad an Sgalaig. The walk begins on the track opposite, with a large wooden sign proclaiming 'Loch Bad an Sgalaig pinewood'. Leaflets for local trails can be picked up from the wooden shelter. The last time we did this walk the bridge shown on the map was missing and there was a notice here of an alternative route, so make sure you check the signs to see whether the missing bridge has been rebuilt (please contact us using the form below to let us know.) The track crosses the bridge across the outflow of the reedy Am Feur-loch and ascends gently at first; there is a distant view of the northern buttresses of Baosbheinn.
2. The track passes through a gate in the deer fence and enters the Bad na Sgalag native pinewood. Over a million native trees have been planted by the estate over an area of several square miles; at the present time the trees are small and need protection from overgrazing by deer, but in time it is hoped the forest will regenerate enough to allow removal of the fence. The track gains height slowly, with views over to Lochan a Chleirich on the left and the mountain fortress of Slioch in the distance. Continue on the track, ignoring the blue waymarker posts leading off right, to climb over a low pass. A smaller track goes off to the right during the descent, with a yellow waymarker post. Turn right onto this track; you are following the yellow markers from now on.
3. The track winds downhill and becomes a boggy path – keep following the marker posts. Eventually the path comes close to the Abhainn a'Gharbh Choire, which here tumbles in a series of attractive waterfalls. If the bridge downriver is still missing (you did check the noticeboards at the start of the walk, didn't you?) it is necessary to turn left upriver here until you reach a bridge, cross it and turn right, walking down the far bank of the river until the route is rejoined in the next paragraph. Otherwise, turn right at the waterfalls and follow the yellow waymarkers as they wind downhill, leading away from the river and round some knolls until returning to the river bank at the replacement (hopefully) bridge. Cross the bridge; it isn't possible to continue far on the northeast side of the river.
4. The path now descends the southwest side of a little gorge, cutting across the steep slopes before descending to another bridge. Cross this and follow the path down to the deer fence beside Loch Bad an Sgalaig. The river falls down into the loch in a series of impressive waterfalls. Turn right along the path which keeps close to the deer fence at first, before turning inland after half a kilometre and crossing a low pass between the rocky hills. The path then descends to rejoin the track followed earlier; turn left to return to the car park.
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