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Everyone seems to spend a long time debating the best way to bag this hill, and we were no exception. I'd have loved to have bagged this hill while we could still carry camping kit, or if it was still possible to hire a boat ride to Oban. In the end we decided that the best route for us was along Glen Pean, as described in the SMC guide. The weather has been very changeable and the forecasts somewhat unreliable, and we have been waiting to do this hill for well over a year, due to lockdowns. We ended up going on a rather overcast day rather than wait any longer for the perfect forecast.
We parked the van the night before in our favourite spot almost at the end of the road by Loch Arkaig. The next day we cycled into Glen Pean through the forest.
- Cycling in
At this point, we could see our hill, in the distant distance, looking very remote. When the good forestry track stopped, we walked steeply downhill and round to the bothy.
The first part of the walk along the glen was flat and straightforward, and we managed to cross the river just before the first lochan without getting wet feet.
- The first lochan
We continued a short distance beside the lochan then cast around for the way up above it. We found a cairn once we had decided to head up, and once on the path, it is clear, old but well made - just as well, given the steep slope. Very attractive with the trees and lochan. (The hill was still looking remote).
- Starting out on the path above the first lochan
At the end of the lochan we dropped down and continued along more flat grass until we neared the landslide. Just before the boulders, we got blocked by some very soft ground, so went up and along on a high path, noting another faint path going along a bit below us. We dropped down a bit and peeped into the chasm above the second lochan.
- Boulders
- Looking back down the glen
- 2nd lochan
We then forgot to consult the map, so walked a bit too far in the direction of the sea. The hill was not remote any longer, but it was quite late to start going up. A little backtracking took us to the stalkers path which was certainly an easy way to get up beside the burn, then we struck off over Carn Gorm. Sadly we hadn't quite made the top for lunch so we refuelled on Carn Gorm then headed up and over to the summit. There was a splendid view even though it was overcast, and some of the higher hills were hidden in the cloud.
- Along Loch Morar from the summit
- The way home back to distant Loch Arkaig
We had a late second lunch before returning much the same way. this time dropping down into the glen nearly at the end of the boulders and keeping to the north side for a short way to avoid the bog.
It was a very late dinner, but at least the van was at the end of the road.
We were very pleased to have discovered Glen Pean, which is certainly a wild and interesting glen, with some narrow steep sided sections and lochans. The ascent up An Stac was very straightforward - once you get to it!
Here is our approximate route.
