Glenfinnan to A' Chuil

Summary

Heading north from Glenfinnan into truly wild and rough terrain this short leg begins on easy estate tracks, passing Corryhully bothy, before offering a real introduction to the rough terrain that will be crossed over the next few days. The bothy at A'Chuil is a convenient halt for the night, but it is of course possible to push on further, perhaps as far as the bothy at Sourlies. Note that Knoydart offers some of the most remote and rugged walking in the UK; there have been fatalities to those using this route and the following stages, whether as part of the Cape Wrath Trail or the start of a walk in to Inverie - it is suitable for experienced hillwalkers only.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Surfaced road, good estate and forestry tracks and rough, very boggy paths.

Getting there

Start

Glenfinnan.

Public Transport

Train or bus to Glenfinnan; no road access to A' Chuil.

Start Grid Ref

NM905808

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Services

Glenfinnan has a train station, hotels, bed and breakfast and hostel. Corryhully bothy is 4km into this stage. A'Chuil is a remote mountain bothy with no facilities; the nearest (very remote) road access is at Strathan at the head of Loch Arkaig.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 18.75km / 11.75 miles
Time: 5 - 6.5 hours
Ascent: 650m (Profile)

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Explorer 398 - Mallaig

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

After crossing the road at the lights, head past the Glenfinnan Monument visitor centre (coffee kiosk in carpark) and into the large community-run carpark next to it. Bear right to follow a wide path under a height barrier to head towards the viaduct.

Stage 2

Cross a footbridge and bear right (signed Viaduct Trail). When it meets a minor road turn right to pass under the viaduct. Built by Sir Robert McAlpine between 1897 and 1898 and consisting of 21 arches, each spanning 15m, and carrying the West Highland Railway line to Mallaig. It has been made famous by appearances in the Harry Potter films and many visitors now crowd the area when the two daily Jacobite steam trains pass through.

Stage 3

Follow the surfaced road along Glen Finnan for another 3.5km passing a couple of houses. With Glenfinnan Lodge visible ahead turn right to leave the road at the junction signed path for Loch Arkaig and bothy. Soon pass Corryhully bothy, generally left open by the estate for walkers to use - it makes a comfortable overnight stop, it even has electricty. Continue along the track soon heading uphill, crossing a couple of fords on stepping stones, keep left when the track forks.

Stage 4

After a small hydro dam, the track swings left to cross a bridge and then continues uphill more steeply. The rough track crosses the infant River Finnan on the climb, eventually becoming a rocky path.

Stage 5

Keep climbing, the gradient eases as the route passes a lonely gate before reaching the cairn at the 471m spot height at Bealach a'Chaorainn, overlooked by the twin sentinels of Streap and Sgùrr Thuilm.

Stage 6

The initial descent beyond the bealach is steep, but the route is clear, soon keeping well to the left/west of Allt a' Chaorainn at first. As the gradient eases the path gets closer to the burn and there are a number of good camping spots.

Stage 7

The main path crosses the burn just before the 12km point and soon crosses back (it is possible to continue on the path on the left bank all the way but the route is rough and if water levels are very high it can be impossible to cross to reach the bridge over the Glen Pean so it's best to follow the main path). After another crossing the main path stays on the right bank and becomes increasingly boggy. The Allt a Chaorainn is now in a gorge and the path stays between this and a fence on your right. Near the bottom of the glen cross a flat area to reach the bridge over the River Pean.

Stage 8

Cross the bridge and take the rough track up to the edge of the forestry, follow it round to the left and soon take a narrow track on the right into the trees. This is wet underfoot at first but soon improves. At a junction turn right and pass a small quarry area in the trees. At the next junction, with open views ahead, turn left to head up Glen Dessary.

Stage 9

After 4km of easy walking (watch out for the wild boar that live in this area) a tiny cairn on the right hand side of the path - just before leaving the forest - marks a small footpath heading through the trees to A' Chuil bothy, located with panoramic views over the glen. The bothy is maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting.

Next stage: A'Chuil to Barrisdale Bay OR the Inverie variant, A' Chuil to Inverie

Route Profile

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