Clachlet Traverse, 18th April

[MacCookie]

I did an interesting route on Saturday (18th April) with my walking group that I hadn't heard of before: The Clachlett Traverse. It starts at Victoria Bridge by Loch Tulla and ends at the Kingshouse, but instead of following the West Highland Way, it goes right across the top of the Black Mount.

The route starts at the Victoria Bridge by Forest Lodge, north of the Inveroran Hotel. From Victoria Bridge, the route heads along the Abhairn Shira for about 1.5km to the GUM Club's Clashgour hut. From there it heads north into Coire Toaig. After crossing the Allt Caolinn Duibh it heads up towards the summit of Stob a'Choire Odhar at 945m. From Stob a'Choire Odhar it continues west to the bealach at 686m and then up the ridge towards Stob Ghabhar.



From Stob Ghabhar continue north-west and then north onto the broad should of Aonach Mor until grid ref NN224475 is reached.



There's then a turn north east down towards the Bealach Fuar-Chathaidh and then up onto the ridge leading to Clach Leathad. It's then a further 1km to the summit of Creise, the third Munro.



After Creise, the route doubles back for about 500m and then descends east before climbing to the summit of Meall a'Bhuiridh.



From there follow the ski tows north east to the White Corries ski centre and the end of the walk.

The tricky bit is Stob Ghabhar to the Bealach Fuar-Chathaidh as there is only occasionally a footpath. In poor visibility you would need to be quite sure of the turning point at NN224475 as you don't want to miss it or turn off too early.

The total distance was about 22km with some 2000m of ascent.

I've only found a couple of brief mentions of this route on wikipedia, summitpost and in the SMC Guide to the Munros. Worth doing if you fancy a challenging day out (this route is slightly longer and involves more climbing than the South Glen Shiel Ridge!).

I've posted some photos to my flickr account as well for anyone interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maccookie/sets/72157617102512950/detail/

Cheers,
Ewan

[cjwaugh]

This looks like a great walk have to give it a go some time .

[MacCookie]

Should add that it took us 10 hours, 10 minutes to complete and it was a relatively fit group that was out with me.

Ewan

[Paul Webster]

I'd thought about it but the transport is a bit hard at the Victoria Lodge end. Looks like you had perfect weather - great photos

[bootsandpaddles]

I did this walk last year but instead of dropping down through the ski area I went down the east ridge of Meall a' Bhuiridh towards Ba Cottage and then picked up the West Highland Way back to Victoria Bridge. This made it into a circular walk.

[Freewheelin]

Was up Stob Ghabhar on the Sunday and had discussed this walk with big bruv while we walked along Sron nan Giubhas as we have still to take in Creise. I had thought it would be a good day out leaving a car over in Glen Etive and ending the walk by coming down off Creise via Fionn Ghleann with a possible crossing of the river at NN221520.