Beinn Damh & Sgurr na Bana Mhoraire - So worth it

[Milo12]

I had Beinn Damh earmarked for a while already, just waiting for a day with reasonably good weather. After all, it was to come with some stunning views - why miss out on these on a rainy or cloudy day!

No rain forecasted today and it looked around lunch time as if it was clearing up a bit. Good enough a promise to make it the day! I parked at Torridon car park and took the new trail through the buildings and then up to left after the bridge. It takes you right up to the road where the trail otherwise would start and without having to walk along the busy road.

The trail starts off through the woodlands and is in perfect shape. The woodlands were beautiful and the sun was coming through the trees. Off to a good start. After a few river crossings, the the trail leaves the woods and gently climbs up the hill. Beinn Damh is towering ahead, but the trail leads up to a ridge to the right. It is quite rocky for a while before turning boggy when the trail turns into a little stream. Well, it has been raining heavily for most of June - I guess it was to be expected. The climb up to the ridge is quite steep and provide ample excuses to stop and look back at the surrounding Torridon Munros and the Torridon Loch.

Once up on the ridge, you can even see the other side of the mountain, again with amazing views across the surrounding Lochs. The trail goes up gently from here, leading around Beinn Damh for a while before crossing a little boulder field to reach the ridge again. The trail in this section goes faint here and there, but you never really loose it. There are always cairns in the distance that one can follow.

Once on the ridge again, the ridge gets very rocky and tighter and tighter. Nothing bad though - certainly not in comparison to the ridges on other mountains around. Clouds had come in, providing a lovely theater opening up the views in a very unpredictable way. I even bumped into what looked like a Rock Ptarmigan. The top of Beinn Damh has a nice little rock shelter - certainly needed on a windy day. I sat down to enjoy the views before heading down again.

On reaching the first ridge again, I thought I quickly add on Sgurr na Bana Mhorgaire and I am so glad I did. The sun had come out and the views from up there are nothing short of stunning. All the way at the end of the ridge there are even some natural steps that invite to sit down to enjoy the the views around. I have to admit that I spent quite some time there - also as the steps were nicely protecting from the wind which had picked up quite a bit. It was difficult to get up again to head down again.

The way down took longer than expected. The steep rocky section at the start requires a lot of care and the boggy section after that even more so. Once the trail starts to level out again, it is easy going however and the entry into the woodlands comes with gorgeous views at the Torridon munros again. The woodlands are a lovely change again and just beautiful to walk through on the last mile before reaching Torridon Lodge with the parking again.

I am so glad I left this one for a day with good weather - it was so worth it. Definitely one I'd be happy to do again.

[kaye.cantlay]

Wasn't Torridon amazing yesterday - I was a few miles away on Beinn Dearg.
Glad you had a great walk too!