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Just a quick report for a very nice round of some of the smaller Glencoe hills . The forecast was for torrential rain later in the day so I set off early and got parked up in a layby on the A82 just before the turn off into Gleann leac na muidhe .
- Ascent of Meall Mor
The first hill of the day, Meall Mor looms above the road , I had thought about heading up the Glen and doubling back to make a gentler ascent but I decided just to go for the straight uphill method . 600m of ascent in under 1km , steep but nothing too bad , thankfully the ground was dry and only a couple of places needed hands- on , definitely not a route for a wet day though .
- Glencoe from ascent
- The Pap of Glencoe
I was glad to reach the summit plateau and a nice cool breeze , some fine views from here .
- Summit ridge with the Corbett behind ,Sgor na h-Ulaidh to left
- View NE
- SE to Bidean
- A look back at Meall Mor summit cairn , perched on a volcanic dyke . AE behind
The route onwards from Meall Mor to Sgorr a’Choise leads down to a bealach over lovely springy soft turf before contouring around above the forestry to gain the SE ridge ,meeting a line of iron fenceposts which continue to the summit .
- Onwards to Sgorr a'Choise
A deer fence crosses the ridge but there is a gap 25m north of where it meets the line of metal posts . The ascent steepens before a final rocky section brings you to the cairn , again some lovely views from here .
- Ascent to Sgorr a'Choise
- Cairn and Beinn a'Bheithir
- East face of Sgorr Bhan (zoomed )
Two Grahams done ,it was time to head on to the Corbett. The descent to the next bealach was on easy grassy slopes becoming a bit boggy down lower but before long I reached the drier slopes of Meall Lighiche .
- Descent , Meall Lighiche on r
Whilst trying to pick a way up I noticed another old line of fenceposts , a quick check confirmed these led to the summit , the 400m of ascent over grass and rock was easy enough , not half as steep as it had looked from a distance .
- Summit ridge
When I reached the summit , I found some shelter from the wind behind the cairn and had a bite to eat admiring the scenery , the steep eastern face of Sgor na h-Ulaidh looks imposing from here .
- Summit and Sgor na h-Ulaidh
- Descent , Bidean in the distance
From the summit a path follows the fenceline east before turning north to descend over Creag Bhan to the glen below , I lost the path (as usual ) but the ridge is fairly straightforward , one or two knolls and crags to avoid and I soon found myself at the Allt na Muidhe.
- From Creag Bhan down to the Glen
I had read a couple of reports which included some excitement trying to ford the river but the level was low and I hopped across easily .
- Gleann -leac-na-Mhuidhe
I enjoyed the walk out along the valley , the Aonach Eagach looking impressive across Glencoe . I had rushed a bit on this walk , half expecting the heavens to open at any moment but thankfully it stayed dry . These are nice wee hills tucked away in a quiet corner , a great spot for a wander and some peace and quiet .
- Water feature