Magical (Mist)ical Glenfinnan

[jamesb63]

Having checked and re-checked the forecast I was settled on the north west looking best
so set off at 3.30am for the journey north ,I love leaving early an unlike the return journey
at this time of year the roads are empty ,
I took 2hrs 15 mins to get to Glenfinnan and it was dry the whole way UNTIL 3 miles from
my destination it started raining and the clag was well down on the hills
The parking area North of the river was full So it was £2 and into an empty NT carpark
I got the dogs fed and got back into the car and waited a while for the rain to go off as I was in
no hurry to set off ,so after another hour I got ready and headed over the bridge
and turned up the road to the glen

The dogs ready for a nice walk

Awesome piece of construction given when it was made

Nearly fell over reading this £18.905 to build would be millions now and take a lot longer to do

After taking a lot of pics of the viaduct I set off up the glen,it truly is a beautiful part of the country
all around is so pictorial

The cloud looks like breaking

Looking up the glen

The tarmac road allows for a good easy walk and in what seemed like a short time I was turning
over the river past Corryhully obviously in use as smoke coming from the chimney
I will say whoever was using it should have a spade as the view behind it was disgusting
and that was from a distance (white paper ) everywhere

The track leading over to Loch Arkaig

I decided to tackle the route clockwise so took the turn (signposted) up to start the ascent of Sgurr nan Coireachan
the initial ascent is easy going on the gradual climb up the path ,
The ascent seemed to go on and on steep boulder path then levelling out then the final ascent
up to the summit ,

The Summit with Loch Morar in the background

Loch Arkaig

Looking along the ridge towards Sgurr Thuilm ,the clag lifting quick now

Had a sit down here for a bite to eat and take in the surrounding scenery
all around was just sublime a real joy just to be in the hills
after 10mins I left the summit and started to very nice walk over to Sgurr Thuilm
with a few ascents and descent it had plenty to offer

Halfway across the ridge this photo stop just called for

Cliffs on the north of Sgurr Thuilm

I started the final ascent up from the cairn to Sgurr Thuilm and to my dismay the clag
rolled in again so on reaching the summit there was nothing to see
So just the one pic and I turned around for the final descent

The lads in the clag

I had no sooner turned and was hit by a heavy shower of hail full on in the face
once onto the ridge leading over Sron a Bheithe the clag lifted and the hail went off
but not for long as I could see the next lot moving up the glen

The descent of Sron a Bheithe was a very muddy wet affair but we were soon back to the Arkaig track
and back down past Corryhully
Made a note to myself when I win the lottery to buy Glenfinnan Lodge what a house and what a setting

Glenfinnan Lodge

Now it was just a walk down the road again to the start I passed 2 walkers (backpakers) only people I saw
on the whole walk ,surly all the owners of the cars at the free parking area were not all in Corryhully
then again with the mine field at the back of it maybe they were

One more viaduct pic with Beinn Odhar Mhor in the background

Nearing the end the field was now full of very large tents and vans and a lot of busy people
turned out it was the end of a stage for the CWT ultra run
One runner past me saying hello he was an American turns out he is 68 years old and he was not
in the least out of breath
The carpark at the NT area was now packed with tourists ,
Again this was a fantastic walk and had everthing to offer regarding scenery and weather

[PerthAlly]

Fabulous photos and report James.

Don't think I've ever set foot in Glenfinnan. I think a visit is long overdue

[jamesb63]

Fabulous photos and report James.

Don't think I've ever set foot in Glenfinnan. I think a visit is long overdue

Thanks Ally ,you should pay a visit to here try pick a vice weather window
it really is a beautiful spot

[Jaxter]

I did these a few months ago in the same direction as you did - I think it's a nicer walk this way round

It's such a lovely spot isn't it! Glad the weather cleared and you got some views at least although at least you didn't need crampons to get off the top of Coireachan like I did

[basscadet]

Oh looked amazing - for some reason most reports on these two only contain photos of clag
will definately get a revisit some day. - we had a bloomin disaster and ended up camping underneath a waterfall

[jamesb63]

I did these a few months ago in the same direction as you did - I think it's a nicer walk this way round

It's such a lovely spot isn't it! Glad the weather cleared and you got some views at least although at least you didn't need crampons to get off the top of Coireachan like I did

Thanks Jax it is a lovely walk and clockwise definetly is a nicer way to do it

Oh looked amazing - for some reason most reports on these two only contain photos of clag
will definately get a revisit some day. - we had a bloomin disaster and ended up camping underneath a waterfall

I recommend you try it again in good weather I am sure you will love it

[BlackPanther]

I'm keeping this duo for a long, sunny summer day (to minimize the bog factor ). I hope they are not as painfully steep as Gulvain!
I will remember to go clockwise, too

[jamesb63]

I'm keeping this duo for a long, sunny summer day (to minimize the bog factor ). I hope they are not as painfully steep as Gulvain!
I will remember to go clockwise, too

Definetly try do them on a good day you will enjoy it I am sure
the only boggy bit I came across was on the descent from Sgurr Thuilm