Binnein Mòr and Na Gruagaichean, Mamores

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Binnein Mòr is a magnificent peak crowning a graceful ridge and is the highest of the Mamores. In combination with its rocky neighbour Na Gruagaichean it gives a superb ridgewalk.

Terrain

Stalkers path on approach, then narrow ridges - predominantly grassy but very rocky in places. There are paths underfoot for most of the route but not on the unrelenting and tiring descent from Na Gruagaichean.

Public Transport

Bus service to Kinlochleven.

Start

Kinlochleven. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins from the car park adjacent to St Paul's Church in Kinlochleven; it is signed 'Grey Mare's Tail' from the main road. From the car park follow the path into the woods; it is signed for 'Spean Bridge' and 'Corrour Station'. Almost at once the path reaches a t-junction; turn left here, then almost immediately fork right onto a rougher path up steps. This path now climbs steeply through the trees; ignore lesser paths on either side. When the path forks by a small burn fork left, crossing the burn. The route climbs up through the deciduous woodland and gives increasingly good views back over Kinlochleven and Loch Leven behind. The original zig-zagging stalkers path has been short-cutted by a variety of eroded, direct routes; it is best to keep to the old route to avoid worsening the erosion. Soon the trees are left behind and more open moorland is reached.

Stage 2

Continue on the clear path across the moor until it approaches a vehicle track; it forks just before reaching it. Take the left fork, reaching the track and continuing straight across it on another stalkers' path. This path climbs across the moor, later crossing a stream and heading up the far bank before climbing around the southern flank of Sgùrr Èilde Beag. Watch out for a sharp zig-zag to the left uphill, as there is a peaty path continuing directly ahead which peters out before Loch Èilde Mòr . Above a few zig-zags the path contours once more, reaching a fork. Bear left here to head uphill, soon joining another old stalkers path coming in from the right.

Stage 3

Follow this path as it climbs diagonally to the left; initially it crosses a landslipped area and requires care, but beyond this it continues as a very fine graded old path zig-zagging to find an easy route up an otherwise extremely steep slope. Eventually it reaches the ridge just short of Sgùrr Èilde Beag, and from here easy grass slopes lead up to the first minor peak. There are truly sensational views across to Sgùrr Èilde Mòr across the irregular loch of Coire nan Lochan far below.

Stage 4

Now continue along the broad ridge - sometimes grassy, sometimes rocky, across a bealach where another stalkers path comes up from the right. Continue uphill along the ridge to climb to another top at 1062m. From here you can see the ridge running out to Binnein Mòr to the north backed by Ben Nevis and the Grey Corries.

Stage 5

Follow this ridge northwards, dropping slightly to a bealach before ascending a fine ridge to reach the summit of Binnein Mòr . At 1130m this Munro is the highest of all the Mamores, and is a wonderful airy perch with spectacular views. The peak of Binnein Beag far below looks so small in comparison that it is hard to believe it is a Munro. Retrace your steps along the ridge back to the 1062m minor summit.

Stage 6

This time follow the narrowing ridge southwest - initially on grass, then shattered rock - down to a bealach. The ridge narrows in places but there are no real difficulties on the ascent to Na Gruagaichean, which is grassy initially before becoming very rocky.

Stage 7

The summit cairn is reached without too much ascent; at 1056m this is the second Munro of the day. The best part of the view is northwest, where the main Mamores ridge drops steeply and reascends even more dramatically to Na Gruagaichean's northwest Top, with Ben Nevis as backdrop.

Stage 8

Rather than heading over to this top, follow the easier south ridge which sweeps down to Leachd na h-Aire and gives great views down to Kinlochleven and Loch Leven. From the cairn on the Leachd, descend WSW down initially grassy ground. This soon steepens and there are traces of a path to ease the descent on the steep section, which ends with a crossing of boulders. Beyond the boulders the descent continues, now pathless.

Stage 9

This part of the descent is long and tiring, and care is needed with navigation; recompense is in the superb view of Loch Leven ahead. There is a deer fence before the Mamore Lodge - Loch Èilde Mòr track is reached; this is best avoided by keeping south in the later stages to meet the track near where it passes through the deer fence. Turn briefly left along the track, then turn right onto a path that soon heads through a gate in the fence lower down. Continue down this path that eventually leads down to the woods, descending to reach a footbridge near the Grey Mare's Tail. Turn left over this bridge and climb very briefly before rejoining the outward route just a few metres from the car park at the start.

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