Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich & Lurg Mhor
GLEN CARRON: LOCHCARRON TO ACHNAHSHEEN
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1. Start from the walker's car park just inside the Attadale Estate from the turning off the A890 south of Strathcarron. Here there is a map showing the route. Walk along the entrance driveway and then turn left towards the entrance to the Gardens. Pass some cottages on the right and when the Gardens entrance is reached turn right along the road up the Glen away from Attadale House. The minor road follows the pleasant valley, when the road forks take the lower, right hand side signed for cottages and walkers. A mile along the road pass through a gate, near the estate holiday cottages, and the track becomes rougher. Continue along the track, ignoring two turnings to the right, until you reach a bridge over the River Attadale. Go right across this and follow the track as it begins to wind uphill through birch woodland; there are good views back to Loch Carron as height is gained, though the line of overhead cables is a distraction.
2. After the climb up the valley of the Abhainn Odhar, the track flattens out somewhat as it crosses undulating moors, with forestry plantations over to the right. Ignore two tracks off on the right, the second of which has a footpath signpost (for Killilan in Kintail). The track winds around, passing the small Loch an Droigan, before climbing steeply in zig-zags after passing the outflow of Loch na Caillich. The gradient then eases once more and Bidein a'Choire Sheagaich and Lurg Mhor come into view at last – though still distant - and eventually the track heads gently downhill into a new, empty landscape.
3. After descending down the emtry Srath Feith a'Mhadaidh for over a kilometre, the track climbs slightly and then drops again towards the wide Uisage Dhubh or Black Water River, curving to the south to reach an attractive cast-iron bridge where the river flows through a small ravine. Cross the bridge and continue on the track which turns left on the far side.
Photo ©Mark Hazelwood, reproduced under this Creative Commons license.
4. A kilometre and a half further on a pair of lonely buildings is reached at Bendronaig Lodge. The first of these is a lodge used by stalkers, but just beyond is the second building. This is maintained by the Attadale estate as an open bothy for the use of walkers outside the stalking season. Whether staying here, camping nearby or just popping in, please repay the estate's generosity by carrying out all your rubbish and keeping the place tidy; flush the toilet by filling the cistern using the bucket in the stream outside.
5. Beyond the bothy, a stalkers path continues east. This soon reaches a rickety footbridge over the Allt Coire na Sorna. Across the bridge, the path forks; take the right hand branch, which keeps close to the stream at first. It climbs up into Coire na Sorna before crossing a low bealach and descending slightly to the lonely shores of Loch Calavie, beloved of fishermen. Follow the path for a short distance along the northern shore, to where the Allt Coire Calavie flows into the loch. Here, turn left and climb up beside the stream. The going is usually a little wet; after a long, fairly sustained climb the gradient eases; aim a little to the right to reach the bealach between Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor.
Photo ©Kieran Evans, reproduced under this Creative Commons license.
6. Turn right to tackle Lurg Mhor first. A surprisingly good path makes for an easy ascent, with two steepish sections before the cairn is reached, and good views behind of the Bidein. The summit cairn of Lurg Mhor, 986 metres, is prized as undoubtedly amongst the remotest of all Munros, and is situated close to the edge of its steep northern crags. East of the summit the ridge descends and dramatically narrows to make a scramble across exposed slippery slabs necessary for any walkers wishing to make a detour to the eastern top of Meall Mor (not included in the distance and times for this route); instead, return to the bealach.
Photo ©Ian MacDougall, reproduced under this Creative Commons license.
7. This time follow the path westwards as it winds up towards the Bidein. This ascent steepens towards the end, curving right to reach the narrow, graceful summit ridge of Bidein a'Choire Sheagaich. Nicknamed 'Cheesecake' by some hill-goers who are unsure of Gaelic pronunciation, this peak, although lower at 945 metres, is much finer than Lurg Mhor, it's airy summit being a just reward for the effort of reaching it. Descend southwest back along the summit ridge, and then steeply down (pathless) to a small lochan just below. From here, follow the undulating, rocky ridge out to the minor final bump of Sail Riabhach, and continue to its termination to the west. From here, a route can be picked out down the primarily heathery slopes to the path in Coire na Sorna. Turn right down this path to return to Bendronaig Lodge – and the start of the long, long track back to Attadale.
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Route profile
Accommodation links for this area:
Hotels in Glen Carron: Loch Carron to Achnasheen
Glen Carron: Loch Carron to Achnasheen Bed and Breakfasts
Self catering cottages in Glen Carron: Loch Carron to Achnasheen
Torridon & Gairloch hostels
Campsites in Torridon and Gairloch region
