Ben Hope

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The most northerly of the Munros, Ben Hope rises as a fine isolated peak and is a magnificent viewpoint. The ascent is short but steep and gives a grand introduction to the vast wilderness of the extreme North.

Terrain

There is a path for most of the route, steep, wet and rocky at first.

Public Transport

None.

Start

Car park in Strathmore. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a car park on the minor road up Strathmore around three kilometres south of the head of Loch Hope. The path begins by a large sign ('Way Up Ben Hope'); it heads directly uphill, climbing rocky ground in places beside the southeast bank of the tumbling Allt a'Mhuiseil (note the path on the OS map is shown on the other side).

Stage 2

As the stream heads north the ascent eases off briefly before leaving the main stream and heading east steeply uphill once more. The path weaves a route to avoid any crags - but there are great views up Strathmore as recompense for the effort.

Stage 3

The path emerges on a grassy shelf that soon slopes up to gain the very broad southern ridge of Ben Hope. This slopes gently at first before a steepening is reached. The path makes a wide zig-zag to the right to ascend this section, before aiming back towards the escarpment once more.

Stage 4

Back close to the steep western escarpment, the path continues more clearly as an eroded route up the grassy slopes, soon ascending a steeper section to reach a false summit.

Stage 5

After another respite the route steepens once more to reach the small summit plateau. The summit trig point - and a windshelter cairn - stands amid a mass of boulders a short distance across this, and is a truly wonderful viewpoint.

Stage 6

The plateau ends abruptly, with the extremely steep and airy north ridge plummeting beyond with great walls of crags on each flank. At 927 metres there is no higher point nearer than Ben Klibreck far to the southeast, and the view is one of a vast desolate wilderness dotted with lochans and isolated peaks, whilst the sea beyond stretches away towards the Arctic.

Stage 7

The return is usually made the same way. It can be extended by continuing along the escarpment of Leitir Mheuiseil to the south and then descending beyond the fine waterfall above Alltnacaillich. If this route is followed the road leads back in a couple of kilometres to the start.

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