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After spending four days on a
series of shorter Grahams' trips in the north east at the end of July, I wanted to get back to a longer day. A few years ago, I'd walked from Rannoch Station to Spean Bridge to cover the Corbetts en route but, due partly to bad weather at the time, regrettably left out the two Grahams.
One option for these two hills was to cycle from Kinlochleven past Loch Eilde Mòr to Luibelt, leave the bike and then do a there/back for the two hills. However, that increased the distance, added a little to the ascent and didn't seem as interesting an approach. As the forecast was so good, I opted instead for a walking loop going anti clockwise leaving the better track to the end.
Drove up and parked fairly early in the Grey Mares Waterfall Car Park in Kinlochmore (Kinlochleven). Said hello to a lady walker who had just arrived then walked down the road past some houses and then on to the track which stays on the north side of the River Leven to Blackwater Reservoir. The early part of the route until about 2km before the reservoir is through a heavily wooded area with a lot of overgrown bracken. As it was still quite early and the sun was still very low, it wasn't long before I was getting somewhat soaked in dew from the bracken - dried up quickly enough though when out in the open.
Walked past Dubh Lochan on the way to Blackwater Reservoir
- Dubh Lochan
Took a slight detour off the path to go down to the corner of the dam. Then back on the path which was now becoming fainter and disappearing frequently in boggier ground with views back to the reservoir.
- Blackwater Reservoir
After a short distance, the track heads NE along the Allt an Inbhir - memorial on the opposite bank at NN265613.
- Memorial
I wanted to ascend via the SW ridge of Beinn na Cloiche so left the path at about NN274623 and just headed on a more or less straight line towards the summit. No path and the ground was a bit choppy and boggy at times but relatively straightforward.
Wee lochan at the summit looking towards the two Munros, Easain and Mheadhoin
- Beinn na Cloiche summit lochan
Looking back to Blackwater Reservoir
- Blackwater Reservoir
With a lack of wind I was getting harangued by clouds of midges along with some clegs and deer keds so didn't hang around long. Could see the two Munros and Creag Ghuanach in the distance so just headed towards them.
No path and a few ups/downs but it wasn't long before I was heading down steeply towards Staoineag Bothy beside the Abhainn Rath with Creag Ghuanach in the background.
- Staoineag Bothy and Creag Ghuanach
Descended steeply then walked to the bothy. Had a look inside and up the stairs - signed the bothy book and noted that it had been inhabited recently.
- Staoineag Bothy
I then went down to the Abhainn Rath to find the stepping stones noted on the map. Managed to cross using the stones without too much effort then started northwards up the hillside aiming to avoid the crags further up as well as the various sections of bracken. Loch Treig in the distance.
- Loch Treig
As I gained height heading towards the summit, there were views to the surrounding hills.
- Lairig Leacach towards the Innses
- Ben Nevis to the Grey Corries
- Panorama
At the summit, there was a large cloud of keds buzzing around. Little trouble when the very light wind got up a bit but annoying when it dropped. Couldn't avoid them when taking a selfie.
- Selfie with keds in the top right
Rather then descend the same way, I took a SW line aiming for the path to Meanach Bothy and Lùibeilt which follows to the north of the Abhainn Rath.
- Abhainn Rath
Further to the west, I left the path and headed for Meanach Bothy. Went inside for a visit but couldn't sign the book as I didn't have a pen with me.
- Meanach Bothy
After that I headed for the stepping stones to cross the water at Lùibeilt. Again not difficult as the water level was fairly low. Got on to the main track which took me down past Loch Eilde Beag and Loch Eilde Mòr. Passed a lonely tree on the loch side.
- Tree on lochside
When I got to the paths junction a little south of the lochs, I opted for the narrower, older path rather than the new track to get a view of loch Leven on the way down. It does require a little extra ascent but is a slightly more direct route.
- Loch Leven
Back at the car park I again met the lady walker who had been up in the Mamores and was about to drive back to Wick. Headed into Kinlochleven for some food then the drive back to Glasgow.
