the other way around

[dbethune]

I did this walk yesterday (02/06/09), but chose to do it the other way around, and would definitely recommend that alternative. The benefits are:
(1) you do the most exciting peak first, climbing up the gorge to the Feadar, before the heat of the day;
(2) you climb the highest peak first, so every up and down along the ridge is more down than up!
(3) you get to the furthest away point early in the day, so after that you are on your way home;
(4) you don't have the relentless slog up Sgurr nan Coireachan - instead you can rattle your way down it at the end of the day.

Also, I would recommend cycling up the forest track on the south side of the glen, as you can get about 5 miles from the road end; it took me about an hour on the way up, and 40 minutes on the way back, so great saving of time and effort, and less boggy paths to negotiate.

All in all, one of the best days out on the hill.

[helenw]

Hi

Sounds a good way round, although I did like the final viewpoint which would now come much earlier in the walk. In my mind anything that makes this route less hard going would be good, especially the bike ride in and out. When I did this route I wasn't as fit as I am now but it took for ever and I was so tired that near the end I just wanted to throw my rucksack down and die on the spot - only the thought of the chip shop in Fort William kept me going. I remember the drive out along Loch Arkaig being a killer, and of course the chippy was closed by the time I made it back anyway! Hope to tackle the Knoydart hills later this summer so I guess I will really see if I have got any fitter.

Cheers

[mountain coward]

I'm planning to do that this next week (providing my broken toe will let me!). What are the descents like that way round? Steep loose and horrid or not too bad? How hard was the cycling for people who are not much good off road and sub-standard bikes?

[dbethune]

The descent off Sgurr na Ciche is short and steep. The descent of Sgurr na Coireachan is long with no respite, but mainly on grass, and with a rudimentary path - hard on the toes at the end of a day, but I'd rather be coming down it than going up! The cycle along the south side of the valley is OK - it's a forest track all the way - I use an old road bike (not a mountain bike), and it was fine.

Enjoy!