Beinn Fhada Back to Front

[Cairngorm creeper]

Kintail is high on our list of favorite places and a traverse of Beinn Fhada is a walk we have been looking forward to for some time. The warm sunny weather continues, but there was a possibility of showers later so we decided to start the walk from Beinn Bhuide so we could complete the Hunters Gap scramble in the dry, we also though practice at scrambling down wouldn't go amiss.

The Route

Beinn Fhada ahead as we left the campsite at 6:35

Looking south along the Glen to Cist Dhube from the activity centre

The path passed over the River Croe and shortly after that there was signpost for walkers. The psychological crux of the day commenced as the start of the ascent up Beinn Bhuide was through a field with cattle. They were satisfyingly in the middle of the field and it looked as though we wouldn't have to go near them so we resisted the urge to run back to the campsite and followed the path to the next gate where our adrenaline levels rose further as we saw this sign.

Which side of the gate are they?

Unsure which field it related to we decided not to go through the gate but to ascend up the side of the fence. Not known for our uphill speed, we positively raced up Beinn Bhuide until we were safley across a broken gate acting as a makeshift cattle grid. I did wonder if the bull had charged the gate post when chasing a previous walker, but decided that was being overly paranoid.
At last we could look back and admire the views.

Looking across Loch Duich

and resume a more seemly pace on the steep walk up Beinn Bhuide.

Cloud floating around the five sisters

We followed the path, diverting to go up some although not all the minor tops, lots of up and down with short scrambley sections.

At 10:15 we reached Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh and shortly after that the short scramble down to Hunters Gap.

We started on the left of the slab

moved to the right

and then an easy finish on the left. An awkward down climb as there were no ideal handholds for lowering yourself and the the foot holds were muddy and slippery. It was much shorter than we had been expecting with very little exposure and looked as though it would be much easier to go up. We rewarded ourselves with a brew in the gap before starting on the ridge.

Start of the ridge

Views all round

The ridge was wider than it looked from below

12:10 Meall an Fhurain Mhor

The Plateau

Summit ahead

12:50 Beinn Fhada

Admiring the views

A long but scenic descent

Path zigzagging downwards

Then along Glean Choinneachain.

Abundance of wild flowers

The cattle were all across the path at the base of Beinn Bhuide so we diverted around the farm buildings.

Across the bridge

I couldn't resist these cuties as we passed the Activity Centre

and back to the campsite at 17:00.

[simon-b]

A great day, CC. That scramble does look really good. A lot of us (including me, I'm afraid) miss out on it to add A' Glas-bheinn to Beinn Fhada, and then miss out on the Falls of Glomach. It's nice to see you on that rocky ridge that looks so impressive from around Morvich, and you got some good action shots from up there.

It's an idyllic area, and your route went pretty near the house at Innis a' Chrotha which was one of my favourite places to stay in Scotland. But now they don't do B and B anymore; something I'll miss if I return to Kintail. I imagine you'll look forward to going back there!

[Cairngorm creeper]

A great day, CC. That scramble does look really good. A lot of us (including me, I'm afraid) miss out on it to add A' Glas-bheinn to Beinn Fhada, and then miss out on the Falls of Glomach. It's nice to see you on that rocky ridge that looks so impressive from around Morvich, and you got some good action shots from up there.
Thank you.
The traverse is a really enjoyable route, if you have the time to do it but would make a very long day if you were to add A'Glas - bheinn .
It's an idyllic area, and your route went pretty near the house at Innis a' Chrotha which was one of my favourite places to stay in Scotland. But now they don't do B and B anymore; something I'll miss if I return to Kintail. I imagine you'll look forward to going back there!

I agree with completely about it being idyllic and it would be wonderful to stay at Innis a'Chrotha. Shame about the B&B , from the number of cars parked up at one of the houses that there was some rented accommodation but I not sure what.

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

A great report on a hill that is definitely on my to-do list for my next visit to Scotland in October.

As I have a metal knee it is useful to see some close-up photos of the Hunter's Gap scramble - it looks like it will be fine if I go up it rather than down it!

Tim

[weaselmaster]

It's a good walk this - I remember it feeling quite a long day. A much reglected mountain this one.
Would be really nice to walk the whole length of the mountain - say from Alltbeithe Hostel over its long back then down Hunter's Ridge - you realise then what a huge creature it is.
Thanks for posting

[Cairngorm creeper]

A great report on a hill that is definitely on my to-do list for my next visit to Scotland in October.

As I have a metal knee it is useful to see some close-up photos of the Hunter's Gap scramble - it looks like it will be fine if I go up it rather than down it!

Tim

Thank you. It is a great walk, the scramble was much shorter than we expected and looked much easier to go up as long as it is dry. I hope you have a good time in October.

It's a good walk this -
I couldn't agree with you more on this
Would be really nice to walk the whole length of the mountain - say from Alltbeithe Hostel over its long back then down Hunter's Ridge - you realise then what a huge creature it is.
Thanks for posting

I like that idea, there is something very satisfying about a full traverse, next time maybe.