Lurg Mhor and Bidean with some pedalling

[go spazieren]

Just back from a couple of days in the West. Nipped up Maol Chean-Dearg on way, and overnighted at the campsite in Lochcarron. After having probably a couple of beers too many at the Lochcarron Hotel, a fairly late start (for me), got tent packed up and arrived at the carpark at Attadale about 7:30am.
These are pretty remote hills, and the approach walk especially on the way out would be brutal, so definitely one for using the pushbike I thought. From the view across Loch Carron of the track winding up above Attadale I knew that it might be more push than bike though......... Anyway, I set off and trundled past the entrance to Attadale Gardens and on to the bottom of the hill where indeed my only option was to dismount and shove. Its pretty steep, my old mountain bike is not state of the art and I am not that much of a cyclist. Don't mind pushing though, and I think its only marginally slower than my normal walking pace. A proficient mountain biker or indeed an e-biker (perish the thought) could probably stay in the saddle for much of the way. After the initial climb, the track did level out enough to hop on and make some progress, but frequent steep bits meant hopping back off and pushing. The approach track tops out at almost 330m, a fair climb from sea level, after which there is a 4km or so descent down to the Uisge Dubh and a flattish bit past Bendronaig Lodge, where the hard work shoving the thing up the hill paid off. I left the bike after the bridge where the track up to Loch Calavie leaves the main track to the hydro shed at Loch an Laoigh. Took me about 1hr 50mins, a fair bit quicker than walking for sure.
The track up to Loch Calavie is older and does not have the bulldozed scar look about it, although still landrover grade and cyclable if you wanted to go a bit further. Loch Calavie feels properly remote, half way from west coast to Loch Mullardoch.

Loch Calavie, An Riabhachan in cloud in background.

The estate have marked the recommended route up to the two Munros just on the west side of the Allt Coire Calavie. There is a faint path which I lost and found several times, but easy enough to make progress keeping to higher and drier ground on the ridges between the Allt Coire Calavie and its numerous almost parallel tributaries.
At the bealach turned right and headed up Lurg Mhor, following the path. Steep in parts, but soon made the summit. Cloud was just brushing the top, not too much to see, so back down quickly and up the other side. Met the only person I saw on the hill all day who was coming down from Bidein a' Choire Sheasgaich having cycled and walked in from Craig, east of Achnashellach. Closer than Attadale as the crow flies, but a lot of hills in between so it must have been a fairly indirect route, good on him for doing something different.
It didn't take long to get to the top of the Bidean where the mist cleared. Descended via Sail Riabhach, which turned out to be the most enjoyable part of the day. There was an occasional faint path along the wide ridge, but regardless of the path, it was easy to pick a route between the hags and crags staying on good terrain. A really pleasant stroll with great views of the surrounding hills all the way out to the Cuillin ridge.

Maol Chean-Dearg from Sail Rhiabach

Eventually, more or less following the WH guide route, I turned left and headed back down on steep, occasionally wet grassy slopes to rejoin the track a km or so above where I left the bike. 4hrs 20 mins on foot.
A quick freshen up in the burn beside the bridge, and back on the bike. The view of the track up the hill on the descent from Sail Riabhach did not look encouraging, but only 150m ascent rather the 330m on way in and less gradient.

Not as steep as it looked from above.

I did get off and push on the steeper bits, as I reckoned the effort expended and limited speed on the granny cog just wasn't worth it, but soon got to the top. There on, it was as fast as you dared go. I was quite careful, not wanting to come to a gruesome end, but it was still a fun ride down, and in no time I was back at the car park. Took about an hour to cycle back after a 10 min break before getting back on the bike. Plenty time for the drive back home.
Reducing Lurg Mhor and Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich to an easy day trip felt a bit like cheating, but with such a long approach on a bulldozed track, use of the bike seems well justified. And I did walk a fair bit of the way.