Fisherfield Munros from Poolewe and Kinlochewe

[simon-b]

The Fisherfield 6 would appear to be a route for a period of settled, dry weather, especially when considering the river crossings and the bogs. I'm staying in the area during the last 2 weeks of June, and if conditions are unsettled, I might think of attempting the western 2 Munros from Poolewe, and the eastern 3 from Kinlochewe. Can anyone tell me if these routes would be less hazardous during wet ground conditions than doing the 6 ( 5 + Corbett) from Dundonnell?

[orion]

I was up Beinn Lair on Wed 5th June from Poolewe in my trainers.Everything was bone dry

[mountainstar]

Definitely good paths and no river crossings from Poolewe, and some of the best mountain seanery on the walk-in in the Highlands.

[simon-b]

Thanks, orion and mountainstar. Those views from the Poolewe route must be good considering what you say, mountainstar, with the number of hills you've climbed.

[scoob999]

keep your feet dry and do it this way, the back of slioch and lochan fhada are simply stunning!

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=32293

[simon-b]

Thanks, Scoob, I'd read fi's report of your trip; I don't think I'll be doing the 6 all in one day from Kinlochewe without a bike! But it's sounding like the views should be really good, weather permitting, doing the 5 Munros over two walks from Poolewe and Kinlochewe.

[foggieclimber]

Have been in Fisherfield numerous times from different directions and my favourite approach is definitely from Poolewe. The scenery is outstanding.

[meangarry]

I was also enjoying the dry weather in the area last week and although I can offer little advice on wet ground I will say this. If looking to wet your whistle avoid the poolewe hotel, its gash! Thier food is pretty average too and one poor couple I met up Beinn Airigh Charr didn't even get fed on the monday as some fan in the kitchen had burst. The kinlochewe hotel on the otherhand is marvelous. Great pints and loads of reservations on tables for food whilst I was tanking said pints.

[CharlesT]

Concur with all positive comments on walking in from Poolewe - did it last week to bag Ruadh Stac Mor and A'Mhaighdean. Fabulous scenery and the approach and views from Carnmore are magical. It's a hell of a long way though - 33 miles round trip on my GPS. A bike might have helped a bit, but you sacrifice the opportunities to stop and savour the views and progress through the wood from Kernsary looks iffy for biking.

[simon-b]

Thanks, fc, Garry and Charles, it's looking like I'm sold on these routes. I've booked a self-catering place, Garry, so I can only blame myself if the food's poor.

[dgm88keys]

Hi - I'm also thinking of splitting the Fisherfield 5, and just wondering if anyone might have gpx files for the walks from Kinlochewe and Poolewe? From Kinlochewe looks straightforward, but the walk-in from Poolewe seems to offer lots of opportunities to go astray ... Thanks, people.

[al78]

Hi - I'm also thinking of splitting the Fisherfield 5, and just wondering if anyone might have gpx files for the walks from Kinlochewe and Poolewe? From Kinlochewe looks straightforward, but the walk-in from Poolewe seems to offer lots of opportunities to go astray ... Thanks, people.

I've walked to Shenaval from Poolewe and with a map, it is easy to keep on the correct path. The only bit that required a bit of navigational care was around Kernsary but even that wasn't difficult. Once you enter the forest just past Kernsary, you follow a track for about a kilometer, turn right onto a path when the track turns left, then just stay on that path, it takes you all the way to the causeway. Once across the causeway keep going then turn right near Carnmore, a path takes you laterally up the side of the glen and into a side glen. When it flattens out at a lochan, turn right and head for the biggest rocky lumps you can see about a mile away.

[Giant Stoneater]

Hi - I'm also thinking of splitting the Fisherfield 5, and just wondering if anyone might have gpx files for the walks from Kinlochewe and Poolewe? From Kinlochewe looks straightforward, but the walk-in from Poolewe seems to offer lots of opportunities to go astray ... Thanks, people.

You could use the GPS route planner on this site and map it yourself.

[jim hutcheson]

Another option would be to come in from the Braemore side,alongside Loch a'Bhraoin,would get you the Eastern hills, doable in a day.

[simon-b]

Hi dgm. After making the original post in 2013, I successfully completed these walks. I'll post my original reports with route maps on this thread asap. My route maps were drawn from memory rather than being GPS breadcrumb trails, as I was using an older non-mapping GPS and not recording the route to save battery life. However I was following waypoints I'd loaded into my GPS, and did mark certain points while on the walks. So I believe the maps are precise enough for macro navigation, and definitely show the correct paths and ridges.

The walk in from Poolewe to Kernsary was fine on foot, and very beautiful but would be rough for cycling. There's an alternative route further south which is probably more suitable for anyone interested in cycling in.

Jim's suggestion about Loch a'Bhraoin could be a good alternative for the eastern 3. But I'd highly recommend the Poolewe approach for the western 2. Out of all my trips to all the Munros, Wainwrights and Welsh Furths, I rate that walk to the Western Fisherfields as the most beautiful British mountain day I ever had.