Beinn Dearg is the highest of this round of four fine Munros; remote Cona Mheall is on the opposite side of impressively rocky and wild Coire Ghranda whilst Meall nan Ceapraichean and Eididh nan Clach Geala give a good traverse with views across towards Assynt.
Summary
An excellent approach walk but higher up there are boulderfields and steep scree.
Terrain
NH181825
Grid ref
26km/16.25 miles
Distance
Grade
Limited parking south of Inver Lael bridge on A835 near the telephone box.
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Regular bus service between Ullapool and Inverness.
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1. Park on an old section of the A835 by a the telephone box by the start of the private road into Inverlael Forest. Follow this private road which soon passes into the plantations. Ignore other tracks going off left and right, keeping on the main route, which crosses a bridge over the river after about a kilometre and a half. Just beyond here is Glensguaib, where a track forks off left for Seana Braigh, one of the remotest Munros; our route continues up the main track through the claustrophobic forestry.
2. After another kilometre, the forestry is thankfully left behind and the route follows an old stalkers path up Gleann na Sguaib. The walk becomes more enjoyable as height is gained, keeping well to the left above the stream as height as gained. After another couple of kilometres the path forks; the left path heads up towards Edidh nan Clach Geala and is used on the return, but our route keeps to the main glen path ahead. There are impressive cliffs across the glen as Coire Mathair Lathail is reached and the stream is crossed on the ascent up to Lochan Lathail, a truly beautiful spot. Beyond the lochan, climb once more to reach the barren, stony Bealach an Lochain Uaine, which has its own series of small lochans and is the junction of several routes.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, reproduced under Creative Commons Licence
3. Our route ascends Beinn Dearg first. To do this, head south to join a path which climbs up onto the mountain along the east side of a dry stone wall, with great views back over Gleann na Sguaib. The going is steep in places; when you reach a corner where the wall turns right, aim slightly left to reach the huge summit cairn. At 1084 metres this is the highest Munro north of the A835. After enjoying the extensive views, which include An Teallach to the northwest, return to the wall and down to the bealach.
4. The second Munro to climb is Cona' Mheall. This involves a slight descent to the east to reach a lower bealach, with magnificent views south into Coire Ghranda with its fine loch. Beyond this second dip the ascent is fairly straightforward up a steepish scree slope, with an awkward summit boulder-field. For many years this was said to have been one of the only Munro's with no summit cairn, but there is a small cairn at the 980 metre top today; but no man-made constructions can detract from the wild views across the Coire to the cliffs of Beinn Dearg. Return to Bealach an Lochain Uaine for the third and final time.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, reproduced under Creative Commons Licence
5. This time, ascend the ridge which heads northwest from Lochan Uaine itself. This leads easily to the third Munro of Meall nan Ceapraichean (977 metres), with a steep drop on the left. Continue over the minor bump of Ceann Garbh and then descent towards the lochan-strewn bealach to the northeast; the descent is easy at first but then becomes steep and rocky, with many boulders – take great care to avoid the bands of crags on this section. Once at the bealach, the going becomes easy once more.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, reproduced under Creative Commons Licence
6. The climb up to Eididh nan Clach Geala is on easier grassy slopes. If you are lucky with the weather and light conditions, the summit cairn of this fourth and lowest Munro at 928 metres is a great place to enjoy the spectacular view northwest to the mountains of Coigach and Assynt, with Stac Pollaidh prominent. Continue the walk by descending the west ridge for almost a kilometre before dropping steeply southwards to join up with a stalkers path coming down from Loch a Chnapaich. Follow this stalkers path downhill until it rejoins the outward route in Gleann na Sguaib; turn right here to return to the start by the route of ascent.
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