Na Gruagaichean Traverse

[Cairngorm creeper]

This route, that traversed the two tops of Na Gruagaichean West to east, proved to be an excellent choice for the mixed weather conditions and short daylight hours. Glowing autumn colours in the weak sunlight, views across the Mamores and Loch Leven, a ridge, a short easy scramble plus some wind and snow all added to make a great mountain day.

The route

We left home at 07:00 and were parked in Kinlochleven and on our way by 08:855

Start of the Path past the church

We initially followed followed the path towards the waterfall but once we had crossed the bridge we turned right to continue up through the woods enjoying the splendid autumn colours.

Autumn colour in the Woods

Autumn Trees

After approx 1km where the main path turn right at stream crossing, and a way marker indicates a crossroad we continued straight ahead along an overgrown path following the Allt Coire na Ba. A further 1km along this path and there was a dog leg across the track to pick up the stalkers path into the Coire

10:30 Out of the woods and into the Coire na Ba

where there are views of the craggy east face of Am Bodach. The path then follows a stream up the northeastern side of the Coire. It felt a long time since breakfast so the stream made a good place to stop for an early lunch.

11:00 An early lunch with a view of Am Bodach's east face.

The path took a wide zig zag up the Coire wall which comprised of mutiple hillocks and trenches. We left the path and found a line that headed more directly up the Coire rim, avoiding the worst of the hillocks but noticed some very large deep holes in the ground, leading to underground streams. Just the sort of hole I specialise in falling through in the snow . A bit of a slog but higher up we rejoined the path and were soon on the ridge leading to Na Gruagaichean's NW top.

Na Gruagaichean NW Top Ahead

Views across Upper Glen Nevis. Stob Coire Bhealaich on the left and the two pointy tops of The Choinichs on the right.

Back along the ridge and across to An Gearanach

13:00 The clouds were gathering and the wind was getting up as we reached the NW summit.

Looking back at the NW summit

Na Gruagaichean ahead

But first a steep descent with a short easy scramble

Then a steep ascent, scrambling up the rocks was easier than the steep loose path

13:30 Na Gruagaichean summit

Rather chilly and very blustry

We thought the narrower sections of the ridge across to Binnein Mor may be a bit much for us in the wind and changing weather and decided to head back to Kinlochleven down the south ridge.

A view of across to the Choinichs

Snow flurries as we head down the south ridge

But the sun was shinning over Loch Eilde Mor

2:30 and we found a sheltered spot for a brew and a view of Loch Leven.

Looking at the map we decided the best way down would be to head of the nose of ridge to the east and then follow the vehicle track. We took a bearing but then became distracted by a path running directly down the nose. This led to a small Boulder field on a shelf and then disappeared. So we proceeded to descend the very steep and in places slippery grass nose directly. We descended by zig zagging along the grassy terraces then using the treking poles to jump down to the next terrace, in a rather strange dance

Then straight down the very steep nose

As we hopped and jumped down the slope we were treated to splendid views of changing light over Loch Leven, but once we reached the track they were even better.

Loch Leven as we reached the track 15:50

More Loch Leven

There was a choice of taking the track or the footpath, we chose to follow the track to the viewpoint,

16:20 Reaching the path near the viewpoint. More Loch Leven

just past the veiwpoint we took turned onto the path through the woods.

Looking down at Kinlochleven from the woods

and followed it to reach the car at 17:30.

[Huff_n_Puff]

Another lovely location for a brew up This looks a great walk and the autumn colours are magnificent, thanks.

[Jaxter]

Some lovely photos there - was all white when I was there

[Cairngorm creeper]

Another lovely location for a brew up This looks a great walk and the autumn colours are magnificent, thanks.

Thank you Huff_n_Puff it was lovely day.

[Cairngorm creeper]

Some lovely photos there - was all white when I was there

Thank you Jaxter, your trip of it looking all white is beautiful, we were there yesterday and the summits had a light coat of snow, but. I feel a now feel a need to visit the area when it is well covered.