A Ring Around The Sister of Kintail

[Cairngorm creeper]

This route is a round walk staring and ending at the Morvich Campsite.

The route

Another very warm and sunny day, promised hot walking and excellent views. We left the campsite at 6:50am, the sky blue, the sun shining and as we turned through the gate near the activity centre we had view right along the Glen to Ciste Dubh.

View along the glen

It was easy walking along the track that runs along the river Croe underneath the Five Sister Ridge.

Looking up at Sgurr nan Saighead

By 08:20 we had past the bothy and were following the Allt an Lapin up into the Coire, which was both scenic and impressive, so we couldn’t resist stopping for a brew up as we filled our water bottles.

Coire an Lapin

This was the last opportunity to gain water and, despite carrying plenty with us it was still not enough for such a warm day.
We followed a ridge out of the Coire

Heading up

which took us up to 800m just below Sgurr nan Spainteach.

11:30 on the ridge Sgurr Fhurain in the distance

Bealach Lapin and Saileag behind

Sgurr nan Spainteach

Sgurr na Cist Dhubhe with The Saddle in the distance

The most shapley sister

and one of the best sections of the ridge with the short ups and downs and bits of easy scrambling.

The Raven and Sgurr na Carnach

13:30 Sgurr na Ciste Dhube summit

14:00 and leaving the summit, I'm not sure what we were doing up there for so long.

Shortly after this I lost sight of the other half and the path and went wandering down a boulder field . A bit of hollering and backtracking and we were finally reunited and

on route to Sgurr na Carnach

a very scenic stretch with views across Loch Duich.

15:20 a brew up on Sgurr na Carnach Summit

The clear views were awesome but we were starting to flag in the heat and it was forty minutes before we got moving .

Some rough ground

and very easy scrambling

Boulder fields most of the way up Sgurr Fhuarain

17:00 Sgurr Fhuarain summit

the third Munro and

Highest point on the ridge

We had a quick drink of our dwindling water supply, hoping (in vain) that it would not be too long before we were on our way down to the river, and began our descent.

Descending Sgurr Fhuarain

just as we thought it was all over we realised that the best bit was still too come.

Final section of the Five Sisters ridge

Sgurr na Saighead. A demoted Munro and not considered a sister.

It was such a short diversion from the path to the summit there was no reason not to go to the top, surely it must count as at least a sister in-law? We met the first other walker we had seen all day, A guy who had come along the brothers and sister ridge and who was looking for a place to camp in readiness for doing the saddle tomorrow. He too was hoping to find a water supply soon.

It really is over now

We decided to give the final sister a miss and head down to the Bealach from Beinn Bhuide. Slowed up to a snails pace and stopping every few minutes to sip our final few mls of water we were very glad to come across a burn where we could fill up and brew up. Replenished, rehydrated and with water on board we headed on to the Bealach where we intended to follow the river down to Allt a Chruinn. Not sure why, but we headed of down the wrong side of the Bealach before cottoning onto the lack of path and river. Up we go again, ah ha there is the big river and a good path. A bit of bog hopping to reach it. While having another little rest sitting on the stones in the middle of the river we see another guy off to make a wild camp. Eventually we made a move, just as the midges got out their knives and forks. Down the path to that wound around the side of the hill before ending up in the village but with nice views over the Loch

A couple of kilometres down the road and we arrived back the campsite at 22:00 still upright (just).

[Broggy1]

Brilliant walk and you got superb weather for it.

We did it much the same as you (with the walk up the Glen first) and it's a great way of making the route circular.

You didn't miss much on the last sister - it's easily the least impressive and we had to take an extremely steep pathless route back down to the valley from it.

[Cuilvista]

I did a similar route recently, but descended from Sgurr Fhuaran down the hanging N ridge/spur (which starts at the lip of the N coire) to a very old and hard to find stalkers path (marked on map) which helps alleviate the very steep descent.

[Cairngorm creeper]

Brilliant walk and you got superb weather for it.

We did it much the same as you (with the walk up the Glen first) and it's a great way of making the route circular.
Completely agree with you there
You didn't miss much on the last sister - it's easily the least impressive and we had to take an extremely steep pathless route back down to the valley from it.

Nice to know we didn't miss too much and we had wondered if the route down from it might be a pig. Given our hot and weary state it is good job we took the easy option

[Cairngorm creeper]

I did a similar route recently, but descended from Sgurr Fhuaran down the hanging N ridge/spur (which starts at the lip of the N coire) to a very old and hard to find stalkers path (marked on map) which helps alleviate the very steep descent.

That sounds a really interesting route. The path is not shown on our map, did it take you right back into the Glen?

[Huff_n_Puff]

Many thanks for this - we've been thinking of doing the sisters in a ring too so your report and this discussion of paths is really helpful. Greats pics too

[Petr Dakota]

I like your trips ! Another nice one - well done !
Always nice to see a couple enjoying the mountains together
Wishing you many & many more and safe returns always

[Cairngorm creeper]

Many thanks for this - we've been thinking of doing the sisters in a ring too so your report and this discussion of paths is really helpful. Greats pics too

Thank you, it is a lovely way up, I hope you have as a good weather as we did, or perhaps just a little cooler

I like your trips ! Another nice one - well done !
Always nice to see a couple enjoying the mountains together
Wishing you many & many more and safe returns always

Thank you for your encouragement and good wishes, much appreciated

[Cuilvista]

I did a similar route recently, but descended from Sgurr Fhuaran down the hanging N ridge/spur (which starts at the lip of the N coire) to a very old and hard to find stalkers path (marked on map) which helps alleviate the very steep descent.

That sounds a really interesting route. The path is not shown on our map, did it take you right back into the Glen?

Its on the OS 1:50,000. The path ends up on the track at an old drystane dyke coming down from the hill. I spotted the path on the walk in up the track so remembered it as a potential idea on the ridge.

[Cairngorm creeper]

Its on the OS 1:50,000. The path ends up on the track at an old drystane dyke coming down from the hill. I spotted the path on the walk in up the track so remembered it as a potential idea on the ridge.

Thank you. I can see it now, looks an interesting way to go, a good excuse to go back and try it.