Affric Kintail Way 4: Alltbeithe to Morvich

Summary

The final stage of the Affric-Kintail Way is the most mountainous and has a real feeling of remoteness. It leads past the lonely Camban Bothy before crossing the watershed and following the dramatic mountain path above the Allt Ghrannda and its falls. It then continues down impressive Gleann Lichd to reach journey's end at Morvich - a stone's throw from the west coast at Loch Duich.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Remote and rugged but with good hill paths, wet in places.

Public Transport

No road access of any kind to Alltbeithe. Morvich is on the Glasgow - Skye and Inverness - Skye Citylink bus route.

Start

Alltbeithe (Glen Affric YHA) - no road access. Open in Google Maps.

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 Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 16.25km / 10 miles
Time (summer conditions): 4.5 - 5 hours
Ascent: 272m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH079201

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

From the hostel, follow the path that heads SW at first and then follows the banks of the River Affric upstream. A footbridge leads over the Allt Beithe Garbh; keep upriver beyond. The footbridge over the next burn - the Allt Gleann Gniomhaidh - has been moved to a more convenient position and no longer requires such a long detour.

Stage 2

The path - really a grassy track, wet at times - now leaves the river but continues up the Fionngleann, climbing gently. Eventually it reaches a very lonely stone building. This is Camban, a 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. Around Camban there are the ruins of several other cottages; there must once have been a fair settlement here. Beyond the bothy the track soon becomes a path.

Stage 3

The main watershed of Scotland is reached between the headwaters of the Allt Grannda and the Allt Cam-ban, marked by a small cairn. After a couple of undulating kilometres around the north side of grassy bowl the descent begins.

Stage 4

The next section is really dramatic as the path 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. Below this section the path swings right, traversing and descending the rocky slopes high above the river. The terrain is very rough but the path is excellent, brilliantly constructed to make the going as easy as possible. The path then crosses a bridge supported on giant wooden beams across the gorge of the Allt Grannda.

Stage 5

After an intervening hillock it crosses the suspension bridge over the Allt Lapain. Ignore a branch to the left and continue down to Glen Licht House. This is a (locked) club hut for the Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club and is available for individuals and groups to stay by advance prior booking.

Stage 6

From here the route follows a track for 6km down Gleann Lichd. This is a wild, dramatic glen; treeless but with grand mountains all around. The steep mountain on the right is Beinn Fhada, whilst on the left are the Five Sisters of Kintail - as you proceed down the glen you get views of the steep valleys leading up between the peaks. The river in the valley bottom is the Croe, which can look inviting for a paddle on a fine summer's day, whilst being a powerful torrent when in spate. Eventually the track meets a tarred lane; turn left here to reach the National Trust for Scotland Morvich countryside centre - the end of the trail - and the Morvich Caravan Club site. The River Croe flows out into Loch Duich - a west coast sea loch - just beyond.

Route Profile

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