Cluanie to Morvich

This stage begins with a boggy walk through the An Caorann Mor to remote Alltbeithe hostel in the uppermost reaches of Glen Affric. The route then heads west through the wild upper glen, passing Camban bothy and finally making a very scenic descent down Gleann Lichd.

Terrain

Hill paths; initial leg is very boggy.

Public Transport

Citylink bus services to Skye pass the Cluanie Inn, and within 2km of Morvich.

Start

Cluanie. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 26km / 16.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 6.5 - 7 hours
Ascent: 365m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH078117

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Cluanie has an inn offering food and accommodation. Morvich is a small hamlet but there is B&B and hotel accommodation with a couple of kilometres.

Walk Description

Stage 1

Begin by walking east along the verge of the main, busy A87 road from near the Cluanie Inn. Pass a felled area and cross a bridge over the Walk east for a short distance along the road to the start of the signposted track into the An Caorann Mor, signed for Glen Affric (about a kilometre and a half east of the Cluanie Inn). Follow the track uphill, with improving views of Loch Cluanie behind.

Stage 2

The track ends after about three kilometres. Continue straight ahead on the path, which climbs gently over the pass at around 400 metres, always keeping to the east side of the valley. The going is extremely boggy, but there are some good views west to Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirg over the Bealach a Choinich. The path eventually descends, passing the foot of Coire Odhar.

Stage 3

As the Fionnglean comes into view, there are green boggy vehicle tracks going off first right then then left; these all lead ultimately to the same place but it is better to keep to the footpath, keeping well above the river, as the other ways are even boggier. The route does not descend to the confluence of the rivers as shown on the 1:25 000 map but keeps to higher ground, finally following a fence down to the bridge over the river Affric. Cross the suspension bridge and continue to reach the hostel building ahead.

Stage 4

Turn left onto a track leading up the glen. Cross a bridge over the Allt Beithe Garbh but return to the track close by the main river beyond. At the Allt Gleann Gniomaidh the track crosses a ford but there is a footbridge reached by a detour to the right. Continue along the track to eventually reach a lonely building. This is Camban, a basic unlocked 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.

Stage 5

Beyond Camban a path continues, eventually crossing the main watershed of Scotland although this isn't obvious on the ground. Eventually the path reaches a dramatic section as it contours round the slopes high above a deep basin, whilst waterfalls tumble down into the depths, the main fall on the Allt Grannda being particularly impressive.

Stage 6

The terrain is very rough but the path is excellent, brilliantly constructed to make the route as easy as possible as it cuts across the steep slopes above the Grannda gorge. Once down into Gleann Lichd the Allt Ghrannda and then the Allt an Lapain are crossed on footbridges.

Stage 7

Gleann Lichd house is a (locked) club hut for the Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club hut. From here a track runs for 6km down Gleann Lichd. This is a wild, dramatic glen; treeless but with the beautiful river Croe meandering between the steep mountainsides. The north side of the Glen is bounded by Beinn Fhada, whilst on the left is a little known side of the Five Sisters of Kintail. Eventually the track emerges at a minor road in Morvich. There are B&Bs nearby and a hotel around 1.5km away.

Next stage: Morvich to Maol-bhuidhe

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