Sgurr Na Ciche From Loch Arkaig
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:34 pmWe did the 'standard' route in summer conditions. It is a fairly strenuous ascent with a boggy walk in and out. The views, particularly to the west, are superb. Parking at the end of the road along Loch Arkaig is for about 8 cars.
The track along Glen Dessary is easy walking until Upper Glendessary where the route quits the main track to the right over a small stile. The stalkers path along the hillside and above the plantation is boggy. Above a 'kink' in the treeline the path crosses the Uth burn on large stepping stones. There is a bridge down at the treeline if needed. Just after the burn you see the small cairn marking the start up the hillside. The climb to the first summit is easy to follow in summer conditions, over a false top to the true summit with cairn. You will notice a stone wall that points the way along much of the route over the second Munro to the flank of the final Munro. During the final climb of Sgurr Na Ciche the path diverges from the wall, curving W up the summit ridge. After back-tracking to the beallach, the descent of the gully to the SW is awkward in places bordering on a scramble. On exiting the narrow part of the gully you must contour left on soggy ground over the shoulder after which you can see the long walk out either above or through the plantation.
The track along Glen Dessary is easy walking until Upper Glendessary where the route quits the main track to the right over a small stile. The stalkers path along the hillside and above the plantation is boggy. Above a 'kink' in the treeline the path crosses the Uth burn on large stepping stones. There is a bridge down at the treeline if needed. Just after the burn you see the small cairn marking the start up the hillside. The climb to the first summit is easy to follow in summer conditions, over a false top to the true summit with cairn. You will notice a stone wall that points the way along much of the route over the second Munro to the flank of the final Munro. During the final climb of Sgurr Na Ciche the path diverges from the wall, curving W up the summit ridge. After back-tracking to the beallach, the descent of the gully to the SW is awkward in places bordering on a scramble. On exiting the narrow part of the gully you must contour left on soggy ground over the shoulder after which you can see the long walk out either above or through the plantation.