South Glen Shiel Ridge Hike & Bike

[Jokester]

Had been planning this for a while and was just looking for ideal walking weather as I didn't really want to do this on a scorcher of a day.

I dropped the bike off at the Cluanie Inn car park for the return journey and parked up at the layby at Malagan. Usual story, couldn't find the start of the path, the correct start is via the gate and the path towards The Saddle. It branches off to the left fairly quickly.

IMG_0461 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr

The path I followed doesn't seem to be the one marked on the map, but it led to a crossing point on the small river and the dry conditions meant that it was a straight forward crossing on stepping stones.

IMG_0463 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr

From there, it was just a case of following the path upwards and enjoying the views.

IMG_0465 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Sgurr na Sgine

IMG_0471 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking back to the car

IMG_0475 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Sgurr na Sgine and The Saddle

IMG_0478 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking down Glen Shiel

Once up on the ridge, it's a fairly straight foward walk, other than a bit where there's a bit of a sheer drop, but it's an easy scramble down.

IMG_0480 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Creag nan Damh

I think it was probably the story of my day, getting to the top just as the cloud came down.

IMG_0481 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Creag nan Damh summit cairn

I did have a moment when I came back down out of the cloud on the other side as it took a moment to convince myself I hadn't taken the wrong ridge line as at this point there wasn't an obvious path to follow.

IMG_0482 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Massive bulk of Sgurr an Lochain hiding in the cloud

IMG_0485 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Summit of Creag nan Damh out of the clouds again now that I've left

IMG_0489 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Sgurr an Lochain summit

Again, I reach the top just as the cloud comes back in!

IMG_0491 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Sgurr an Lochain summit cairn

Coming down the other side the cloud started clearing again and gave some nice views all around

IMG_0492 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Ridge line towards Sgurr an Doire Leathain

IMG_0496 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Coire an Lochain

On the way up Sgurr an Doire Leathain I passed a couple of guys heading in the other direction, the only walkers I see all day.

IMG_0505 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking back at Sgurr an Lochain

IMG_0502 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Finally! a summit with views, Sgurr an Doire Leathain

IMG_0506 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Still a lot of walking to do!

The walk over to Maol Chinn-dearg is straight forward

IMG_0517 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking back at Sgurr an Doire Leathain

IMG_0518 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking towards Aonach air Chrith

IMG_0519 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Scrambly bit on the way up to Aonach air Chrith

IMG_0524 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Aonach air Chrith summit cairn

IMG_0527 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Druim Shionnach summit cairn

IMG_0528 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Got a bit narrow here

IMG_0531 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Last stretch out to Creag a' Mhaim

IMG_0537 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking back at Druim Shionnach

IMG_0538 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Last summit of the day, Creag a' Mhaim

The descent off of Creag a' Mhaim was a struggle at the end of the day as the legs were immensely weary and the thought of another 5km walk back to the bike didn't exactly help.

IMG_0541 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking towards Claunie Inn

IMG_0545 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking down the ridge from the road side

Once on the bike though it was short work and mostly downhill back to the car, though I was almost ran over by someone who missed me by inches and then promptly almost went off the road in a panic in front of me!