Glas Bheinn from Kinlochleven

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Summary

Glas Bheinn is a shy and retiring Corbett, remaining hidden from most viewpoints as it rises shapelessly from the wild moors east of Kinlochleven. It provides an enjoyable walk, however, with unfamiliar perspectives on the surrounding higher peaks.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Stalkers paths for much of the distance, though parts of these are extremely wet underfoot. Pathless heathery ground on the hill itself.

Public Transport

Kinlochleven is served by bus from Fort William.

Start

Kinlochleven. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 20.75km / 13 miles
Time: 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 889m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN187622

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Glas Bheinn (Kinlochleven)

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (7)

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 (it is no longer possible to start from the former Mamore Lodge Hotel). From the Kinlochleven car park follow the path from the edge of the car park into the woods; it is signed for 'Spean Bridge' and 'Corrour Station', and waymarked in several colours. Almost at once the path reaches a t-junction; turn left here. After a short distance on the surfaced path, keep right as signed for Loch Eilde Mòr . When the path forks, keep left, crossing a small burn. The route climbs up through the deciduous woodland and gives increasingly good views back over Kinlochleven and Loch Leven behind. As the path climbs the original zig-zagging stalkers path has been short-cutted by a variety of eroded, direct routes; it is best to keep to the original 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 eventually reaches a vehicle track. Turn right here and keep along the track for around 450m until a path forks off to the right. This leads to a dam and bridge over the river issuing from Loch Eilde Mòr . Cross the bridge and turn left onto a stalkers path on the far side.

Stage 3

The path soon becomes very boggy in places. After 1km or so it begins to climb and curve away from the loch, crossing the moorland south of Meall Beag and then crossing a shallow depression. Beyond this it climbs once more to Meall na Cruaidhe.

Stage 4

Leave the path near its high point to head northeast across rough, heathery ground before beginning the steady pull up to Glas Bheinn. The beehive summit cairn has a grand outlook, with the Mamores especially well seen to the northwest, and lonely Blackwater Reservoir. Retrace your steps back to the stalkers path.

Stage 5

The shortest return is to retrace your steps via the outward route. However, it is possible to make a round trip by instead descending via the Blackwater Reservoir. To do this, follow the stalkers path southeast. After crossing the Allt Coire na Cruaidhe the path forks; go right here. OS maps show the path leading all the way to the reservoir, but on the moor the path soon becomes indistinct; aim for the Blackwater dam.

Stage 6

It is usually possible to cross the rough ground of the glen below the dam to reach a track down the far side, or instead to follow the rougher Ciaran path down the north side of the glen. This latter path passes several waterfalls and a burn crossing which could be trickier in spate. The two routes rejoin back at Kinlochleven.

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