Creag Mhòr and Beinn Heasgarnich

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These two Munros give one of the more challenging outings for baggers in this part of the Highlands, requiring experience as it crosses some potentially difficult pathless terrain. Creag Mhòr is steep and craggy on the ascent with much character; Beinn Heasgarnich is a fine viewpoint but has a tricky descent with vast areas of peat bog.

Terrain

Tough hillwalking, steep going, rough and often without paths; excellent navigation skills are needed. The descent from Beinn Heasgarnich heads across peat-hagged and featureless terrain.

Public Transport

No public transport to the start.

Start

New car park 1km short of road end in Glen Lochay. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Deer Stalking information

South-east of ridge: Glenlochay Estate. Stalking between early July and 20 Oct. No stalking on Sundays. A sign with stalking information is displayed in the car park and at the entrance to the estate. If further information is needed please phone 01887 840412 or 07766 816033, or e-mail: manager@pitcastle.com (8am to 6pm MonSat; if unanswered please leave a message).

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a car park in Glen Lochay some distance short of Kenknock - it is no longer possible to park at the end of the public road. Head on foot to this point where there is a cross-roads of routes; turn right up the private tarmac road that heads through a gate and leads up to the pass over to Glen Lyon. Follow this road up a series of zigzags - with good views down Glen Lochay - until NN461369 where a good Hydro track leaves it to the left.

Stage 2

This soon crosses a small bridge and then over a pipeline running down the hillside. It then contours the slopes heading west up Glen Lochay towards the hills. The mountain that steals the show up the glen is Ben Challum, looking a fine peak from this unfamilar side. Continue along this track, passing through several gates and crossing the bridges over the Allt Badour and later the Allt Batavaim. After the latter it descends a little and reaches a junction where a track comes up from the floor of the glen. Keep right here, continuing along the hydro track until it heads through a gate in a deer fence.

Stage 3

Once through the gate leave the track and turn right, following the fenceline uphill; continue by the fence when it turns right. Continue to reach a gate in the upper deer fence. Now on open ground, the craggy slopes of Sròn nan Eun rise above. Climb diagonally north to pass the first broken crags, then aim WNW up grassy slopes below the higher upper crags. Soon a wide grassy brake in the cliffs enables you to ascend steeply northwards until above the steep ground. Now continue up easier slopes - soon accompanied by a faint path - onto the ridge of Sròn nan Eun. Now the upper cone of Creag Mhòr comes into view at last, still some distance away.

Stage 4

Continue along the ridge, crossing two small depressions. The path becomes better defined and the ground steeps on the final ascent of the rockier upper slopes. Eventually the large summit cairn is at 1048m is reached - a satisfying viewpoint with mountains in all directions.

Stage 5

There are impassable crags blocking the direct route to the bealach dividing Creag Mhòr from Beinn Heasgarnich, so instead it is necessary to descend the easier ground to the west and then northwest along the initial section of ridge leading towards Meall Tionaill before heading back ENE to the bealach once easier slopes are reached. Cross the peat bog here before beginning the ascent up the steep grassy slopes to Sròn Tairbh.

Stage 6

Continue up along the ridge to the top of Stob an Fhir-Bhoga. From here a very broad grassy ridge leads across the wide ridge towards Beinn Heasgarnich itself. There are stunning views looking back to Creag Mhòr and Beinn Challum.

Stage 7

Eventually the cairn marking the summit of Beinn Heasgarnich is reached. This is superb viewpoint, but the bad news is that the descent is tricky and tedious, with broken crags and vast areas of peat bog to negotiate. Aim east down broken slopes, passing just north of a small lochan, heading down into Coire Ban Mòr .

Stage 8

There are many steep burns carving ravines down this slope, and its best to get to the south side of them. After the flatter middle ground there's a steeper descent again to gain the level of the Moine Achlarich - a massive peat bog. Make sure you get to the south side of the Allt Tarsuinn before it becomes impassably deep.

Stage 9

Aim for the summit of the private Glen Lochay - Glen Lyon road - the solid tarmac will be reached with much relief! Turn right to follow the road which leads back down into Glen Lochay and to the start of the walk.

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