Fairy Pools and Coire na Creiche

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The first part of this walk - to the first Fairy Pools - has become extremely popular in recent years. It follows a beautiful crystal clear burn with many beautiful pools and waterfalls, but has been rather heavily promoted in the media; the paid car park is busy in high season. It's best to either arrive early, or consider a quieter alternative at the busiest times. The full walk gets away from the crowds to make a memorable circuit around this Cuillin corrie.

Terrain

Undulating hill paths with no difficulties. There are deep bogs just off path - particular between the path and the pools - so take care (works are currently planned to improve this, due to be completed Mar 2023).

Public Transport

Bus from Portree (seasonal check Stagecoach website).

Start

Fairy Pools car park (charge) on right hand side of road into Glen Brittle. Sign on right as road descends. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

From the car park (charge) cross the road and follow the wide footpath down towards the burn, the Allt Coir a' Mhadaidh. Ignore an early fork to the left, and further on cross the footbridge over a feeder burn. Continue along the path crossing another footbridge.

Stage 2

There are numerous aqua-blue pools, known as the Fairy Pools, great for cooling off on a hot day. Keep a close look out at the river - there is an underwater arch at one point; this really is an enchanting spot. Continue on the well made path as it runs along to the left of the burn. Whilst the path is mostly firm, there are some deep bogs between it and the pools at times.

Stage 3

The imposing pinnacle of Sgùrr an Fheadain rises directly ahead. The gash running down it is Waterpipe Gully, first attempted as a rock climb by the early Victorians but only successfully completed after many attempts by Kelsall and Hallit in 1895. It is graded very severe.

Stage 4

The path becomes stonier and a little boggy. Eventually a large cairn is reached - you can take a slight shortcut path that turns left here, or continue a little by the burn until below a slope of scree. Keep left of the scree and you should soon find an initially indistinct path that heading back across the stony slope slightly uphill- this path is directly opposite a cairn on the far bank, and has another cairn at the top of the scree. It soon becomes clearer and traverses the lower slopes of Bruach na Frithe towards Bealach a' Mhaim.

Stage 5

From this path there is a good view back to Coire na Creiche; the name means the Corrie of the Spoils and is a reference to this being the site of the last battle between the MacDonalds and the Macleods. After curving to the right and rising gently the path reaches the Bealach a' Mhaim. From here you can take the path to the right down to the Sligachan Hotel if you do not have to return to your car. The walk to Sligachan takes about the same time as the return to the Glen Brittle car park and the drive round to Sligachan and therefore offers the chance for some members of the party to take this attractive route.

Stage 6

To return to Glen Brittle turn left and follow the path alongside forestry back to the start of the walk. On a clear day there are good views of Macleod's Tables over to the right and also down Glen Brittle itself. There's a burn to cross - easy unless in great spate - just before the outwaard route is rejoined.

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