Whilst lacking the fame of their grand neighbours on the other side of Glen Torridon these two Corbetts provide a magnificent and strenuous walk. Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine is a fine pointed summit with a wonderful panorama, whilst the steep flanks of Sgurr Dubh provide the perfect view of Beinn Eighe.
Summary
The route is very rough and largely pathless, with scree, heather and boulders. Navigation could be difficult on the complex ground between the two summits whilst the descent is extremely steep and rough requiring great care.
Terrain
NG958569
Grid ref
13km/8 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Car park just west of the bridge over the Allt a Choire Dhuibh Mhoir
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of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
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1. Park at Coire Dubh car park, a popular spot used by walkers heading for Beinn Eighe, but instead of walking into the Coire Dubh cross the road and take the path that crosses a footbridge and leads to Lochan an Iasgair and the Ling Hut. This locked climbers hut belongs to the Scottish Mountaineering Club and has great views of Liathach. Continue beyond into the Coire a Cheud-chnoic, the coire of the hundred hillocks. This interesting coire is a classic drumlin field caused by glacial moraine deposits. The path climbs as it follows the south bank of the Allt Frianach, giving excellent views of a waterfall and the pools downstream of it, and winds through the hillocks across many small streams until it reaches a plateau overlooking Lochan Neimhe. Shortly after this the path starts to climb more steeply until it disappears at about the 310 metre mark.
2. Strike off ESE up the right side of a tributary of the Allt nan Lochan Uaine, across very undulating ground covered in heather and dotted with boulders. Further up the stream flows through a small gorge with waterfalls, unmarked on the OS map; keep to the right of the gorge. At around 530 metres it is possible to cross to the north side of the stream then climb the grassy bank opposite, ready to make the final approach to Sgorr nan Lochain Uaine up its northwest ridge.
3. Once up on the ridge the panoramic views overlooking Loch Torridon and including Maol Chean-dearg, Liathach and Beinn Eighe are simply stunning. From here the ascent is fairly straightforward with some minor scrambling to get onto the summit. The peak of Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine is one of the hidden gems of this area. The views down across Lochan Uaine to Beinn Liath Mhor are spectacular, as is the 360 degree panorama with views as far as Ben Wyvis, An Teallach and the Outer Isles. If you just climb this hill and return the way you came, it is worth it.
4. The complex terrain leading from here to Sgurr Dubh is extremely rough;it drops to about 500m and is broken ground strewn with cliffs, boulders, streams, bogs and lochans (few of which are apparent on the OS map) and is no place for navigation in the mist. The undulating nature of this ground with many drops and climbs is very tiring, leading eventually to a defile that separates Sgurr Dubh from the rest of the ridge.
5. On the far side of the defile bear to the right to find a break in the crags which bar the route to Sgurr Dubh. Head up steep scree to reach a small lochan before a final, longer unrelenting scree ascent to the summit. The climb may be punishing, but the view across the gulf of Glen Torridon to the ridges of Beinn Eighe and Liathach is superb. The sides of Sgurr Dubh are precipitous, and it is necessary to return to the defile before continuing the descent.
6. Once there head to the right through the defile and over a plateau with a couple of lochans before starting the descent through typical Torridonian sandstone terracing. The descent is exceptionally rough; the rock terraces are quite high in places, and finding a way through them is not always easy. There are also awkward boulder-fields to cross, perfect ground for a broken leg or ankle. Eventually the gradient eases and some boggier ground is crossed before the outward path is rejoined at Lochan an Iasgair. Turn right to head back to the start.
Photo shows view back to Sgorr nan Lochan Uaine from the start of descent
This walk was researched and photographed by A Milne
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