Fraochaidh, from Ballachulish

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Fraochaidh is a neglected but impressive mountain rising above Duror, hidden from most by Beinn a'Bheithir. Its lower slopes above Duror and Glen Creran are forested, but this long approach along the ridge from Ballachulish avoids the trees and shows off the most imposing views of the mountain.

Terrain

Intermittent path for much of the route; a good deal of ascent and descent plus the fording of the River Laroch.

Public Transport

Ballachulish is served by both local and Citilink buses.

Start

Ballachulish village car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park in the car park by the tourist information centre in Ballachulish. Start by heading along the road from the tourist information centre into the village, keeping straight on when the main road bends right by the pub. Keep along the road until it crosses a bridge and then turn left onto a lane past the school, signed as a right of way to Duror. Pass the school and continue as the lane appears to head into a garden, keeping to the right of a stone building and heading onto a track through two gates. The grassy track becomes a path, rising as it heads up Gleann an Fhoidh, with good views back to Ballachulish and ahead to the peak of Sgòrr a'Choise.

Stage 2

The path continues up the glen - keeping high above the river - for around 4km; it is rough in places and there are two tumbling burns to cross. Eventually the path passes to the left of an obvious cairn; do not fork down to the river here, instead continuing along the path for around 250m further before leaving it and heading down to the River Laroch where it flows across an area of flats. There is no path to the crossing place but it is marked on both sides of the river by a cairn. It is worth finding these cairns as they are the key to a path up the slope beyond, which climbs directly south up to the Mam Uchdaich rather than taking the diagonal line shown on OS maps. The going on this ascent is very boggy but there are good views up the glen.

Stage 3

Just before reaching the bealach there is a cairn and a rather incongruous forestry marker post. Continue on the path to the stile that gives access to the forestry on the Glen Creran side of the ridge; do not cross this but instead turn right and head up the ridge line. There are great views looking back to Sgòrr a'Choise as height is gained; continue up the ridge with a fence over to your left. Before reaching point 626m there is a fence across the ridge to cross.

Stage 4

A short distance beyond bear left to descend slightly to a bealach with a small lochan; on this stretch Fraochaidh has finally come into view, looking dispiritingly distant. The route is now following a line of old fenceposts for most of the way, though some are missing. Beyond the bealach there is a short but steep and rough climb up and then a slight descent with another lochan seen to the right.

Stage 5

From here there is a steadier climb up a broad slope to point 718m, then a short sharp descent to the next bealach, passing to the right of a lump. The ridge then climbs again gently and becomes better defined, with a short rocky stretch before the drop down to the Bealach Dearg.

Stage 6

The final climb up onto Fraochaidh is steep but straightforward with a winding path; the climb ends before a final, fairly level walk to the cairn at the far end. The cairn itself is 'decorated' by old fenceposts but there is no denying the beauty of the superb view. There is a spectacular outlook across Loch Linnhe to Ardnamurchan and out to the islands, with the Isle of Lismore the most prominent.

Stage 7

The view back to the mountains of Glencoe is just as impressive, with range upon range receeding into the distance. Unless intent on a traverse of the mountain with a descent through the dense plantations of Duror, the return walk is the same way, with all the ascent and descent that this involves.

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