Sgurr Mor and Glen Kingie

[Northcountryboy]

I have previously tried and failed on Sgurr Mor from Strathan and thought it was a hideous bog trot. I was curious about whether you could reach the hill from Glen Garry by bike since the paths look fine on the map.
I am pleased to report that not only is it doable it is also a wonderful route - long, committing and wild but you can cycle from Poulary to within a mile of the east ridge of Sgurr an Fhuarain with decent front forks. You could probably get to the bridge under the hill but it does become a game of diminishing returns as the path starts to climb. It also does deteriorate beyond the ruin at Lochan. This part of the route was probably greatly improved by the recent dry spell and I am sure you would get a real soaking under normal conditions. Sgurr Mor itself is an exceptional viewpoint and a lovely hill.
A peach of a day and strongly recommended.

[monty]

Nice one North........
Good to see there are other approaches to some walks. (we canoed across Loch Quoich last year for these two).

[magicdin]

Sgurr Mor is definitely a difficult hill to get to - and this approach looks a really good idea

first time I did it I came over from Loch Quoich dam - Gairich - Sgurr an Fhuarain - Sgurr Mor
last couple of times went through from Strathan/Glen Dessarry
all long days

[bowzi]

Hi,

Firstly well met Westcountryboy, you and a few pals were ascending Aonach Meadhoin from the Cluanie Inn for an overnighter and I was just heading off the Brother's ridge....then we got talking about Sgurr Mor and I said I had followed some nutter's suggested cycle ride....which turned out to be you! This was Monday 4th June.

Firsly for anyone considering this route, you will have significant periods where you're off the bike pushing it uphill, namely near the bridge in the middle of the forest! You will require a bike with front suspension or you'll more than likely end up over the handlebars Most of the forest has been or is in the process of being chopped and there are signs prohibiting passage, but if you're up early enough then no-one is around and being the length of day that it is you'll be heading out post 5pm too

I tackled this epic on Thursday 24th May on what can only be described as a scorcher, I refilled on a couple of occasions at the bridge crossing the Allt a Choire Ghlais on the way in and out! The ascent up the East ridge of Sgurr An Fhurain is pretty much pathless and a real slog. There's a decent path between the Corbett and Sgurr Mor and the views on both are spectacular

I decided to return coming off the North ridge of Sgurr An Fhurain and there's a decent path that eventually leads to the stalker path marked. You'll add on a bit more distance but I'd say that it'd be a preferable ascent compared to the East ridge slog.

It took me some 11hrs15 and I drank somewhere around 7 litres of fluid on the day, but it was roasting and I did spend a fair amount of time on Sgurr Mor just taking it all in.

If you do any amount of cycling and have tackled forest roads then this is the way to do it, if not make sure you've at least broken your A55 in as you'll be on the bike for just over 30km.

Hopefully I've attached a gpx file I plotted out in the Walkhighlands planner of my route...no guarantees of accuracy!!

Also parking near Poulary is a bit of a faff (for a 20 ft motorhome) and the 1st bridge you cross isn't obvious from the road so determining the road to head down took a lil investigation!

Cheers
Mark

cycle_2_sgurr_mor_wh_planner.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[Northcountryboy]

Glad you enjoyed it.......I did suggest that it might be a challenge under certain conditions but its a far better route than from Arkaig - side. Guess I just like riding my bike more than you do - see you out there some other time!

[Johnny Corbett]

I'd looked at cycling in for this walk also so good to see it is possible. Did you get any photos of the track?