Beinn a' Bha'ach Àrd

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Summary

A long and fairly strenuous horseshoe taking in the summit of Beinn Bha'ach Àrd (862m) a Corbett with good views over the Beauly and Moray Firths and into the Affric, Strathfarrar and Strathconon glens and their surrounding mountains. The walk can be shortened by returning from the summit the same way. NOTE: There are sometimes stags in the field crossed on the return route - take care in the Autumn or return by outward route.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Minor road and track initially, then rough and boggy terrain with only occasional ATV track for ascent and no path for descent; ridge gives conditions underfoot.

Public Transport

No public transport to the start of the walk.

Start

Car park at Inchmore just before the Glen Strathfarrar gate at Milton Cottage near Struy. 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: 16km / 10 miles
Time (summer conditions): 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 928m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH394405

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn a'Bha'ach Àrd

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (11)

Stage 1

Park at the car park in Inchmore just over a mile from the junction with the A831 at Struy Bridge. From the car park turn left and walk through the Glen Strathfarrar access gate next to Milton Cottage and continue along the road. One advantage of the access restrictions for Strathfarrar is that the road is usually quiet making it pleasant for walkers or cyclists. The road passes close to the wide River Farrar. After passing the holiday chalets at Culligran Cottage turn right towards Culligran Power Station. The whole of Strathfarrar has a network of hydro-electric stations established when Loch Monar was controversially dammed in the 1950s. Do not descend towards the tunnel entrance, but follow the road to the right and then uphill passing an adit (tunnel). Keep following the main track as it heads uphill through attractive birchwoods.

Stage 2

The track reaches a small dam and new building. A new hydro track continues from here, climbing up the moorland to the east of the Neaty Burn. It eventually leads to another small dam, but before reaching that a boggy ATV track forks off to the right. This aids going somewhat; when it forks take the left branch, crossing wet ground to come closer to the Allt Doire Bhuirg before curving NE up the moorland towards the small col between point 774m and the summit of Beinn a' Bha'ach Àrd. Looking back there are great views towards Sgùrr na Lapaich - one of the Mullardoch hills.

Stage 3

From the col continue up the final, straightforward slopes to reach the summit of Beinn a' Bha'ach Àrd. The trig point (862m) has been surrounded by a stone wall and makes an excellent vantage point. On a clear day the sea firths north of Inverness can be seen as well as the surrounding Affric Munros and to the north, the peaks of the Fannichs.

Stage 4

The quickest way back is to retrace steps, but if time permits it is worth continuing along the ridge to make a horseshoe, though this involves rough going. From the summit descent briefly north to a col and then continue over a stony slope before a smaller col and then the summit of Sgùrr a' Phollain at 855m. This is also a good viewpoint and the route ahead can also be made out following the broad ridge. The path was once a popular stalker's route but is no longer well maintained.

Stage 5

There is a rough descent eastwards - the path being indistinct in places. Cross a peaty bealach and then continue on a clearer path once more over the stonier slopes of Càrn na Gabhalach; the 713m summit is marked by a small cairn looking towards the Cromarty and Beauly Firths. From here the route heads south east over increasingly boggy ground and then south; the path is clear in places and indistinct in others, eventually leaving the ridge to head across the western slopes of Càrn an Sgoltaidh.

Stage 6

The path peters out for a time, but continue down boggy slopes to eventually reach and cross the outflow of Loch na Beiste; from here there is a good view back of much of the route. Follow the narrow path through the heather as it keeps to the left of a small knoll and crosses the burn again to pass through a gate in a deer fence.

Stage 7

After this point the path becomes a track and crosses an open area to another gate and then heads downhill towards Inchmore. There are often deer including stags in this area, take care during the rutting season in Autumn or return by the outward route from the summit. Follow the track as it passes through several gates to eventually reach the road almost directly opposite the car park and the start of the walk.

Route Profile

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