Beinn na Cro is probably the least visited of the Red Hills, but it gives a short and straightforward shorter hillwalk with no scree and wonderful views. An excellent walk for an afternoon after a cloudy or wet morning.
A short but sustained ascent up a rough hill path.
Bus from Broadford.
Bridge at the head of Loch Slapin.
Park by the start of the track through the Strath Mòr , just east of the bridge at the head of Loch Slapin. There is room to park on the grass without blocking the track itself. The track is signposted 'Luib 3.4 miles' (it doesn't mention that that route is a swamp). Walk a few metres along the track, passing through a gate. Don't go through the gate into the enclosed area on your right, instead turning right to leave the track and head up an indistinct and boggy path that clibms the hillside to the left of the fence.
When a small burn comes down and goes under the fence, don't cross the burn (or fence) but bear left up the ill-defined ridge, keeping left of the burn. The going becomes stonier and less boggy as height is gained. There are great views back over Loch Slapin, and Bla Bheinn and its neighbours look magnificent over to your left; Belig looks particularly fearsome from here.
There are great views looking back over Loch Slapin too. Continue up the ill-defined ridge which steepens slightly higher up; it's further to the summit that it appears. The burn on your right peters out and the ridge begins to narrow as the summit is approached. The final section is along a delightfully level grassy ridge, with a particularly steep drop down to Strath Mòr on the left.
The cairn at the summit may only be 572m, but the view is magnificent on a clear day. Sgùrr nan Gillean has joined Blaven and its neighbours to the west, whilst a great sweep of coast past Ben Tianavaig and the Storr leads the eye north. The islands of Raasay and Scalpay and both well seen, as is Applecross and a sweep of mainline coast round to the Skye bridge. Unless intent on a much longer walk continuing northwards, the best return is back by the route of ascent.
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