Exiting Beinn Heasgarnich

[ronofcam]

It is a generally accepted fact that the traditional exit from Beinn Heasgarnich to the road linking glens Lochay and Lyon involves a tramp across interminable bog. I'm really just uploading this little snippet in case anyone in the future searches for trip reports and wonders how best to avoid this rather unpleasant section of an otherwise fine day out.

I did Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnich on Sunday via the traditional route (i.e. walking west along the hydro track and then up onto Creag Mhor before dropping down and re-ascending to Beinn Heasgarnich). However, I decided to try a different tack on the way out, having had some success with this strategy in the past.

Effectively I followed the Allt Tarsuinn, basically from its outflow of the tiny lochan, just a bit below the summit. The ground on the north side of this stream is not at all boggy, and for much of its length has lovely walking.



Streams wash silt and rocks down when in spate, and long-term this results in slightly elevated banks forming at their side. For sure there are little bits where one has to negotiate a little (due to mini-waterfalls) off to the side, but the quality of the walking is superb. It's also possible to pick out little trails left by sheep and deer, who in my experience also follow such water courses for probably the same reasons.







The route is slightly convoluted, but it is very pleasant. It is also interesting, because with every twist of the river a new view opens up ahead, instead of looking at one section of bog after another when the usual route is followed.

A full GPX of my route that day is attached, downloaded straight from my Garmin.

Into_the_wilds.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

This is very useful, thank you.

If I ever go to Beinn Heasgarnich, I would climb it by itself from Loch Lyon using the Stob Garbh-Leachtir ridge, which looks an interesting way up. Much easier than trying to combine the hill with Creag Mhor, which looks far too tough for me.

Your route gives me an option for turning my route into a circular route by getting to the minor road to Glen Lyon and then walking down that back to the start. So it's very much appreciated!

thanks
Tim

[johnclements]

I only spotted this really useful post after a friend and I used the same route to get off Heasganich and back to Glen Lyon earlier this week. Absolutely spot on. It's a lovely route and avoids the return by the steep slopes down to the loch. It's always nice after a tough trudge to descend gently beside a stream and this really fits the bill, so I very much second the recommendation.

[Chris Henshall]

I picked more or less the same descent off the map when I came off Beinn Heasgarnich a few years ago: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=107858. Seemed a logical way down and, given the route's reputation, the absence of boggy terrain and peat hags was a pleasant surprise.