walkhighlands

The car-less adventure series part 3

Date walked: 24/11/2023

Time taken: 5 hours

Distance: 22.5km

Ascent: 678m

A hostel to hostel adventure via foot and bus: Glen Nevis YH to Kinlochleven on the WHW


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



For those who haven't read part 1 or 2 of the series here's a quick summary. After a year of poor health and a back injury putting me out from exercise the whole of the summer, I was slowly making a come back by September. However, with the 2023 bad luck still looming over me, the disappointment wasn't quite over yet. Having only bee on 2 hikes back post injury, I suffered from a random seizure which led to the loss of my driving license for up to 6 months. I could've stayed in the flat and continued to mope about the situation, but this is where the car-less adventure series was born... it is possible!

The 3 day adventure began on November 22nd with the usual 0230 wakeup to catch the nightbus into Edinburgh followed by the 0430 M90 to Glasgow, then the 0630 Uig bus up to Fort William. The first day was spent enjoying the typical West Coast elements doing the Cow Hill circuit for the first time, followed by a pitstop at Costa for my usual caramel latte comfort, the to Aldi for some essentials to create a gourmet meal in the hostel kitchen. I am aware there is an infrequent bus service up to Glen Nevis, however for the adventurous vibe I walked the 2 miles up to the hostel in the rain with my re-useable Aldi bag in hand, full waterproofs on and a rucksack on my back. Even with the Aldi bag in hand I could've easily been mistaken for looking like I was off up Nevis.

After what was indeed a gourmet meal consisting of the best hostel steak I've ever cooked, and a great night sleep being the only one in my dorm - I headed off on my adventure. The combination of excitement and steak fuel provided for an easy ascent out of Glen Nevis which otherwise on a bad day could've been pretty gruelling. As most people on here have probably done this section of the WHW, I'm going to be less descriptive and add more pictures of the adventure.

WHW YH to Kinlochleven 1.jpg
Porridge is the best pre-hike breakfast


WHW YH to Kinlochleven 2.jpg
Ben Nevis in all it's glory


WHW YH to Kinlochleven 3.jpg
Looking back towards Ben Nevis


WHW YH to Kinlochleven 5.jpg
The Old Military road down to Kinlochleven with views of the Mamores ahead


The section where the Old Military road curves round before descending into Kinlochleven was probably my favourite part as I realised what I was seeing in front of me was the back of the Aonach Eagach ridge - a perspective I hadn't seen before. The views only opened up even more the further I descended with amazing views of the pinnacles on the ridge with loch Leven below, the Pap of Glencoe and then Beinn a' Bheithir eventually coming into sight. I think the view was made even more interesting by the fact that I'd climbed all of the hills in sight before.

WHW YH to Kinlochleven 6.jpg
The back of the Aonach Eagach ridge, Loch Leven and the Pap of Glencoe


Once I got back to Kinlochleven I had about an hour to wait until the next bus to Glencoe so I nipped to the co-op for post hike pizza to have at the hostel and began pacing the bench I was sat up to try and warm myself up (typical raynauds at it again). I was so thankful when a local told me that the bar across the road was open despite it looking closed, so I sat in there for a good half an hour enjoying an incredible hot chocolate.

WHW YH to Kinlochleven 7.jpg
The right way to finish a hike in the colder months


The day was finished with the bus to Glencoe followed by another 2 mile walk along the road to the Glencoe YH. Then the next day I spent on a slow plod around the Lochan before catching the bus back to Edinburgh for work the next day (the joys).

Thanks to everyone who has enjoyed reading my series so far! :lol:

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The car-less adventure series part 2

Attachment(s) Date walked: 16/11/2023
Distance: 21km
Ascent: 637m
Comments: 2
Views: 270


The car-less adventure series part 1

Attachment(s) Date walked: 07/11/2023
Distance: 22km
Ascent: 487m
Comments: 2
Views: 320


Agree with the "unrelenting direct climb"...

Attachment(s) Munros: A' Chralaig, Mullach Fraoch-choire
Date walked: 30/05/2023
Distance: 13km
Ascent: 1150m
Comments: 2
Views: 520


Liathach

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Munros: Mullach an Rathain (Liathach), Spidean a' Choire Lèith (Liathach)
Date walked: 21/07/2022
Distance: 11.28km
Ascent: 1337m
Views: 116


Meall a' Bhuachaille

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Corbetts: Meall a' Bhuachaille
Date walked: 20/07/2022
Distance: 6.5km
Ascent: 484m
Views: 118


beinn a ghlo 3

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Munros: Bràigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain, Càrn Liath (Beinn a' Ghlò), Càrn nan Gabhar
Date walked: 15/07/2022
Distance: 22.7km
Ascent: 1314m
Views: 120


Exploring the Lairig Ghru Day 2 and Devils Point

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Munros: The Devil's Point
Date walked: 13/07/2022
Distance: 23.13km
Ascent: 1047m
Views: 110


Exploring the Lairig Ghru

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Date walked: 12/07/2022
Distance: 18.46km
Ascent: 807m
Views: 109


Mullach Clach a bhlair and Sgor Gaoith

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Munros: Mullach Clach a' Bhlàir
Date walked: 07/07/2022
Distance: 23.3km
Ascent: 1076m
Views: 110

caitlin2705


Location: Highlands
Activity: Hill Bagger
Mountain: Bla Bheinn
Place: Skye or Glencoe
Gear: Scarpa Boots
Camera: iPhone 12
Ideal day out: Bagging munros on a hot summers day

Munros: 139
Tops: 38
Corbetts: 6
Fionas: 7
Donalds: 2
Sub 2000: 19
Islands: 5
Long Distance routes: Great Glen Way    Skye Trail    Arran Coastal Way   



Filter reports


Statistics

2023

Trips: 4
Distance: 78.5 km
Ascent: 2952m
Munros: 2

2022

Trips: 27
Distance: 503.39 km
Ascent: 29145m
Munros: 45
Corbetts: 1

2021

Trips: 4
Distance: 56.98 km
Ascent: 3494m
Munros: 4
Sub2000s: 1


Joined: Oct 10, 2020
Last visited: Mar 28, 2024
Total posts: 37 | Search posts