Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil

[gman]

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

Bagged the other 4 from Dalwhinnie last Thurs, weather looking changeable this week so made a last minute decision to come back & get these 2. Cycle in was fine, apart from at the gatehouse where I went straight for the path at the side of the wall then realised at the other side that the gate was wide open & I could have just cycled through - d'oh.

Cut off to the bridge for the bothy, but I'm staying on this side today for Alder.


Path is OK initially , then gets steeper with frequent drainage ditches to cross. Parked the bike further up, not far from the cairn marking the path to Long Leachas:


Path soon peters out, ground a bit marshy with a burn to cross then onto the Long Leachas ridge. WH route suggests bypassing the first hillock, but I went over it hoping for dry higher ground:


There is some very easy scrambling if you follow the path, or you can follow the apex of the ridge for more fun stuff.




Back down the ridge:


Onwards:


Path or interesting stuff:




From the top:


Short Leachas:


Beinn Bheoil:


Then round the cliffs to the top.


Trig point, Loch Ossian behind.


Remains of OS camp.


Round the cliffs again.


Bheoil again.


Steepish descent to boggy ground at the bealach between the 2 Munros:


Sandy beaches at the far end of Loch Ericht - also better weather further south today!


Schiehallion fron Sron Coire na h-Iolaire.


Bheoil with Loch Ericht on the right - the route starts at the far end of the Loch, would be quite a trek without a bike.


Ben Alder cliffs:


Sron Coire na h-Iolaire:


Descent from Bheoil, there's scree on the left hand slopes and the path descends to the left on the grass beyond the scree.


Path quickly disappears then it's heather with bits of bog till you get back on the stalkers path. Last look at the Long Leachas and Lancet Edge:


Nice cycle back, a couple of steep hills so I tried to detour on the low road at the side of the loch despite reading here that it's blocked off. I can confirm it's blocked off

[Gavin99]

Nice one , those ridges look great , looking forwards to visiting this area

[Collaciotach]

Good color's now great photographs yet to do Bheoil !

[dogplodder]

Great photos. Don't have a bike and just wondering how long that would take walking all the way.

[gman]

Great photos. Don't have a bike and just wondering how long that would take walking all the way.

I was on the bike for 33km, which took 2 and a half hours, on foot that would take...too long Passed a couple in the morning who had given up on the walk out and pitched their tent in a passing place on the road next to Loch Ericht.

[rob munbett]

Great light and colour in the photos and a most helpful commentary.

[riverlodge]

got to agree with rob above, your reports are always incredibly informative with pretty spectacular pics that also help a lot. ta!

[ceaser]

fantastic pictures and report again gman , we cycled in and out last sunday and did the 6 ,did these 2 first to get the tough bit out the way early on , never seen much of either of them due to clag ,so its good to see what they look like ....... on the plus side ,we did get great vis on the remaining 4

[PeteR]

Nice autumn colours and some great photos

Still got these two do and your report and photos has certainly whetted the appetite