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This walk is planned to be part of a three day trip which starts at Dalwhinnie Train Station. It consists of walking in on day 1 to the bothy (
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/culra.shtml), walking the Ben Alder/Beinn Bheoil route on day 2 (
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/ben-alder.shtml) and then following this route on day 3. It is the most appealing alternative to driving - therefore having to return along Loch Ericht (and the train journeys would make a nice change to taking the car). The route also misses out the nearby munro - Carn Dearg - in favour of the scramble on Sgor Lutharn (as described below).
Early start at Culra Bothy heading along the north side of Allt a'Chaoil-reidhe towards Bealach Dubh. Leave path at the foot of Sgor Lutharn (east ridge of Geal-Charn), ascending steeps slopes to the nose of the ridge - also known as the Lancet edge, although not indicated as this on the map. Scramble (grade 1* - see Scrambles in Lochaber, Cicerone Guides) onto the top of the ridge before heading across the plateau to the summit of Geal-Charn. Aonach Beag and Beinn Eibhinn are reached by following the usual ridge route from east to west.
The descent from Beinn Eibhinn starts by continuing west along the ridge before descending SW and picking up Allt Feith a'Mheallain and following it's course south into the glen. Finally a long walk via Corrour Shooting Lodge and the south shore of Loch Ossian to reach Corrour Train Station.
The most important point of this trip is the timing for this route as it must coincide with the train times. Best to finish early and stop at one of the hostels if possible (the station hostel supposedly has restaurant/bar facilities, but the hostel isn't integrated into the syha website
, and it is closed on and off through winter, so best phone ahead to check).
