Ben Klibreck is a huge, isolated massif rising high at the heart of the vast, empty moorlands that comprise the central part of Sutherland. This route avoids the worst of the bogs by making an enjoyable approach along the ridge, through there are still a couple of wet sections. The fabulous summit views are of a remarkably empty land.
Rough hill path, boggy and indistinct on some sections, with a steeper final ascent.
None.
Layby at NC532271.
Park about 2.5km north of the Crask Inn on the hard verge built for the winfarm. The walk begins on a boggy path / ATV track off the east side of the road, which heads a little south of east towards Cnoc Sgriodain across wet ground, soon passing through a gate. Above this the ascent begins to steepen, and higher on Cnoc Sgriodain the ground becomes much drier underfoot.
Continue climbing ENE to reach a large cairn; the path fades out once on the drier plateau area.
Continue along the ridge, passing another cairn and then descending to the next broad and peaty bealach, where the going becomes very boggy once more and the path reappears.
Peat hags make a less welcome appearance. The path continues up towards Creag an Lochain, but before reaching the summit it swings left to make a traverses across its western flanks. Note that this route is not likely to be suitable in winter when it would usually be better to follow the ridge.
Pass the bealach marked as point 688m on the Ordnance Survey map. Continue along the ridge of A'Chioch to reach the foot of the summit pyramid. Here the path turns east and heads up a rocky band before continuing up the grassy slopes above.
The final ascent is steep, with a couple of stony sections, but no real obstacles on the way up to Meall nan Con, the highest point of Ben Klibreck. At the top is both a summit cairn and the remains of two broken trig points. The views in all directions are of the vast empty spaces and moors of the far North - perfect desolation.
The best return is to retrace the outward route. For a little variation, you could visit the summit of Creag an Lochain overlooking Loch an Fhuarain.
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