Glenfinnan to A' Chuil

Now heading north from Glenfinnan into wild, rough terrain this short leg begins on easy estate tracks 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.

Terrain

Surfaced road, good estate and forestry tracks and rough, rocky footpaths.

Public Transport

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

Start

Glenfinnan. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 19km / 12 miles
Time: 5 - 6.5 hours
Ascent: 598m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM905808

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Glenfinnan has a railway station, two hotels, bed and breakfast and hostel accommodation. A'Chuil is a remote mountain bothy with no facilities; the nearest (very remote) road access is at Strathan.

Walk Description

Stage 1

From the Glenfinnan Monument visitor centre head northwest on the main road to cross the bridge over the River Finnan, then turn almost immediately right along a minor road.

Stage 2

After about 700m this surfaced estate road passes under the Glenfinnan 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 as well as TV series including Ring of Bright Water and Monarch of the Glen and features on the the 2007 Bank of Scotland £10 note.

Stage 3

After passing the viaduct the surfaced road continues along Glen Finnan for another 3.5km - cross the bridge and turn right to pass the bothy at Corryhully. Although an estate bothy this is generally left open and makes a good overnight stop - it even has electrical sockets! Continue along the vehicle track - now a little rougher but still easy - to a bridge.

Stage 4

Cross this and bear right, ignore a small footpath heading left towards Sgurr a'Choire Riabhaich and begin the ascent along an increasingly rough track to the 471m spot height at Bealach a'Chaorainn, overlooked by the twin sentinels of Streap and Sgurr Thuilm. The path crosses the burn a number of times so care is required, but unless in full spate there shouldn't be any real difficulties.

Stage 5

The initial descent beyond the bealach is steep, but the route is clear. As the gradient eases and the path gets closer to the burn it is occasionally lost to bank erosion - nonetheless persevere to reach Glen Pean - there's a straightforward river crossing over the tributary required here to reach the bridge over the main River Pean. The ideal route continues straight ahead to cross a stile in the forest boundary fence, then along a narrow footpath to reach the main forest track heading east to skirt around Monadh Gorm.

Stage 6

Follow the forest track as it heads northwest along Glen Dessary. After 4km of easy walking (though watch out for the wild boar) a small 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

Route - Phil Turner

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