The fairly long but straightforward ascent of the Corbett, Beinn Airigh Charr is rewarded by fantastic views in all directions, whetting your appetite for longer expeditions into the Letterewe and Fisherfield Forest wilderness areas to the north or the Torridon mountains seen beyond Loch Maree. The route as described returns via Loch Kernsary, but it can be shortened by retracing by the outward route.
Summary
Minor road, track, rough path then open moorland to summit, no difficulties.
Terrain
NG858808
Grid ref
23.5km/14.5 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
Bus to Poolewe
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. It is possible to bike the first section of this walk by following the rough track (mountain bike needed) to the point beyond Kernsary where the path up the mountain begins - however this is longer and involves an uphill climb from Kernsary which is avoided on the walking route. Start from the riverside car park in Poolewe and follow the road upstream, passing the school. Keep on the private road as it follows the River Ewe, passing a couple of houses and entering woodland. At a gate climb the stile and keep on the road, taking the left hand fork where the entrance to Inveran Lodge branches to the right. The track passes behind the lodge and then past some fields and into open ground.
2. Cross the stile next to the gate and go over the bridge over the Inveran River. The track now curves around above Loch an Doire Ghairbh to the right. Once past the Loch and as the track starts to bend back left and climb uphill look out for a small path straight ahead marked with a tiny cairn. Take this to head over moorland for approximately 1km before picking up the track again - the latter part of this path becomes very boggy, once the track is in sight once more just head straight for it. Turn right to follow the track with Loch Maree to the right. Before the track starts to head downhill into woods, look out for a sheepfold on the left and a small path (marked with a small cairn) heading up to it. The path soon becomes clearer and from the sheepfold is an established stalker's path.
3. From the sheepfold the path keeps to the edge of the flat ground before following the right hand side of the Allt Aconair upstream, crossing another stream on easy steeping stones in opening to a pretty gorge. The path now climbs steadily into Coire nan Dearcag. Before the final steep section cross the stream where there is a small cairn and head straight up the other side to join another stalker's path where you turn right to climb diagonally to the bealach. From here keep on the path on the left side of the Allt Aconair and then contour round, heading east and slightly uphill, on a faint path just before the ground starts to descend. Soon a grass and heather slope makes an easy climb up to the col between Spidean nan Clach and Beinn Airigh Charr. From here there is a sudden fabulous view of Loch Fionn ahead whilst the views of the islands on Loch Maree are equally stunning.
4. From the col head up to the summit to the right on the easier ground just north of the scree and before the rockier ground. The climb is steep but short and soon the summit cairn (791m) and the remains of a trig point are reached. From here there are fabulous views in all directions, especially looking into the Great Wilderness, the mountains of the Letterewe and Fisherfield Forests.
5. From the summit retrace your steps to the col and then it is worthwhile making the short climb straight ahead to the summit of Spidean nan Clach (705m) which has great views out over Poolewe to the sea. From here it is possible to shortcut back to halfway up the grass and heather slope to then descend back to the path by the Allt Aconair. From here retrace your steps to the track.
6. If returning by the outward route, keep an eye out for the path across the moor which is unmarked, otherwise stay on the track and descend alongside the Abainn Tholldhoire for a picturesque walk down to Kernsary. Cross the road bridge over the River Kernsary and climb up the other side passing a house on the right. Just after the farm buildings on the left go through the gate and turn left down a path through a field passing a polytunnel on the left. Straight ahead is a footbridge, once across head diagonally uphill across the field to pick up a path below a ruined barn.
7. Follow the path, crossing a fence on a stile, alongside Loch Kernsary with excellent views across the water to the Torridon mountains in the distance. Looking back, Beinn Airigh Charr looks very fine. The path passes a small area of birches before reaching the western edge of the Loch where the path crosses the stream and heads up the other side. Soon Poolewe comes into view and the path crosses open ground and then through gorse to reach a gate leading to a path alongside a wood. The path eventually emerges on the A832 just to the north of the campsite. Turn left along the road to return to Poolewe and the start of the walk.
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Route profile
