Seana Braigh - a little odyssey

[Grisu]

The route described is from Strath Mulzie, not from Inverael, but I don't know how to delete the entry in the box. The details of the walk above are referring only to the walk up and down the mountain, not the way in from the parking and back. I am not sure about the ascent, I took the data of my Garmin.

After my failed attempt from Inverlael three days ago (see my report if you like: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=113777) I set off for my second approach via Strath Mulzie. Two days ago I had tried to find an access over Glen Douchchary from Ullapool. But the expected passage at Loch an Daimh was completely flooded and I saw no chance to cross it with my bike. Therefore I took the approach from Strath Mulzie which actually was my favourite route since I started checking the walks to this munro.

dead end at Loch an Daimh; the area was widely flooded and the walk along the shore was already pretty boggy.

From Oykel Bridge I drove up the road for about 7 km. Soon the road becomes very poor, riddled with lots of potholes so one can only zigzag along very slowly. I parked my car at a sign demanding that ,,All hillwalkers must use this car park". Adjacent there is a building which is referred to as The Schoolhouse but looks more like a Bothy.

car park at the Schoolhouse

From here I cycled along Abhainn Dubhag and then through Strath Mulzie. The track was not too rough compared to my ride two days ago and plenty of burns were easily crossed. Only the last two Fords where a bit trickier so that I left my bike at the forelast less than a kilometer before the start of the walk.

left my bike at this burn

last Ford

A little further up the crossing was manageable without getting wet feet.

It was a pleasant ride for most of the time with plenty of sun athough the pictures doesn't really tell and today's destination was in plain view ahead. But during the last two kilometer the clouds became darker and mist was swirling around the top of the mountain. Still, I was hoping that the predicted good visibility would hold and the mist dissolve.

picture taken before Strath Mulzie Lodge (zoom)

picture taken after Strath Mulzie Lodge

the sight of this impressive mountain was hypnotizing somehow

The start of the walk is marked by a tiny cairn which I probably would have disregarded or missed without the aditionally two mountain bikes lying on the other side. So no hassle at the start as usual for which I was very thankful!

A little cairn to the left and two mountain bikes to the right marking the start of the walk.

Start of the walk with mist floating around the top of the mountain.

Although generally quite steep, wet and boggy in parts it was easy enough to follow the track.

boggy path

track and slopes towards Meallan Odhar

Loch a'Choire Mhoir

the Assynt Mountains

The summit of the minor bump is quite a large plateau marked by a cairn where one has to turn 90° left and going straight up the grassy slopes of Creag nan Ghobar.

cairn at the plateau below the slopes of Creag nan Ghobar

At the plateau I had a little chat with the two owners of the mountain bikes who were on their way back.

Soon I have reached the little lochan and explored the surroundings in the intensifying mist.

the little Lochan

Loch Luchd Choire

To keep some good tradtion alive, I had some difficulties to find the path from the Lochan to the Crest but eventually reached the shelter cairn without furhter trouble. Although the visibility has degraded considerably I enjoyed the stunning silence and the drama the mist added to the spectacular vertical cliffs at the crest.

vertical cliffs along the crest

summit cairn shelter

The descent was a bit quicker than the ascent and eventually I got some nice views of Luchd Coire and the surroundings.

Luchd Coire

Assynt Mountains from the little Lochan

Strath Mulzie illuminated by some sunrays through clouds and mist

Soon I was at my bike and cycled back to my car where the midges were waiting and attacking me while I was securing my bike on the rack. Then I hit the road to get back to the cottage in Leckmelm.

relaxing evening at the cottage with nice view over Loch Broom towards Ullapool

The frustration after my failed attempt from Inverlael and the blocked passage at Loch an Daimh finally surrundered to joy that my little odyssey of trying to find access to Seana Braigh has come to an end successfully.
I probably never would have intended to cycle from Ullapool to Oykel Bridge crosscountry or just having a stroll through Inverlael Forest then walking up the Glen only to turn around at Cadha Dearg , but this way I am actually rewarded with plenty of new experiences and some great impressions for which I am very thankful

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

[Sgurr]

Am gob-smacked that anyone can actually have a favourite route to Seana Braigh given how far away from anywhere it is. That is my favourite too, but only because it is the only one ever attempted, but got it in marginally better weather than you.

[Yorjick]

It was a schoolhouse. Now it is maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. Unless backpacking from the south/Beinn Dearg, then the northern approach is best. I recommend an ascent via Creag an Duine which is so good I have done it twice!

[Coop]

Nice report and shame about the views for you.
It's a fantastic mountain.
Well in

[Steve B]

I did the same route and had marginally worse conditions than you had.
I never got to see into the Coire.
A relatively easy hill from this direction, I did this after an aborted attempt from Inverlael.

[Grisu]

Hello everybody,
thanks for your comments! Funny how different the opinions about this mountains are.
If I lived closer by I certainly would try it again and from a different approach, may even from Inverlael, but under the given circumstances I hardly can see me back on this mountain. However, I got great views of the bulky back from Am Faochagach the next day.
see you!