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In September last year, a friend phoned up to see if I wanted to do Slioch. Steve and his pal Bean were going to do it with an overnight camp. I could only manage the walk and not the camp, due to family commitments. The forecast for the Saturday looked favourable and the weather did not disappoint.The day was sunny with a slight haze at times which gave us perfect views all the way up.
We arrived at Incheril car park at 10.30 and it was full,so we had to squeeze onto the verge on the road leading to it. at 10.45am we set off. The walk starts with an hours hike to the bridge over the Aibhainn an Fhasaigh, which is where the up hill starts. In was a nice walk on the way in but at the end off the day having to do the walk out by myself with sore feet, was no fun and at that point camping seemed like a good shoutor maybe having a bike for this part.
- The start of the day feeling fresh on the walk in. The path takes you along the banks of the River Kinlochewe.
3/4 of an hour later the days target came into view.
- Me with Slioch in the background.
Soon we reached the bridge and Steve and Bean were glad to dump their camping equipment.
Two paths lead from the Bridge heading for Slioch but one is boggy so take the one that follows the river up for a little way. after a while a faint path marked by a small cairn heads away from the river.
Soon the path gains height and gives you great views down to Loch Maree and beyond.
The path starts to get steeper and zig zags up the hill.
- Steve zig Zagging up.
Soon the path took us round the side of Sgurr Dubh and flattened out into Coire Na Sleaghaich(Was not expecting that, but a welcome relief)
- Flat walking, with Slioch in the background.
According to the Cicerone guide, we should srtike up on the flank between Sgurr Dhubh and the two Lochans.
- We continued our upward journey at the lowest point on the flank.
The boys were wondering if Cameron Mcneish had suggested this part of the route to Ralph Storer as it required scrambling up the heather slope, using your hands to pull you upwards (mucho steepness)
The effort was worth it as there was a great view of Loch Maree at the top.
soon we reached the two Lochans
- A great spot for lunch.
Soon it was time to continue our journey. The path goes up the right hand side of the Lochan.
Once this path is cleared, it is a gentle walk to the summit.
- A nice easy walk to the top.
We stopped off at the trig point
- Steve and me at the trig point.
- Panoramic view from the trig point, Loch Maree to the left.
Finally the summit cairn after 5 hrs.
- Me at the top, Munro no 6.
For our descent, we decided to walk the ridge to Sgurr an Tuill Bhain.
- Sgurr An Tuill Bhain
- Bean and Steve on the ridge, looking back towards the summit of Slioch.
Half an hour after leaving the summit we reached the Cairn.
- Steve and Bean on Sgurr an Tuill Bhein
Looking back to the Lochan, we could see a better path up! If only we knew!
- An easier path up to the Lochans.
We started to make our way back to the Coire down the steep sides of Sgurr an Tuill Bhain, Thank goodness for walking poles. By this point my kness were feeling every jarring step.
- The route back down.
From the Coire we took the same path down to the bridge.
- Nearly back at the Bridge, Steve and Bean were ready to camp. I still had an hours walk back to the car by myself.
Finally after 8 hours 15 mins from the start, I arrived back at the Car Park, tired but having thouroughly enjoyed the days walking. There is an annual hill running race called the Slioch Horseshoe, which a friend of mine has done in 4 hrs. Hats off to these people, I was done in just walkng it.
- Happy to have reached the car.
