Coire Làir & Easan Dorcha circuit, Achnashellach

Summary

A varied circuit on clear and well made paths with good mountain views. Beautiful scots pine wood and waterfalls along Easan Dorcha make this a perfect lunch spot. The final section of the walk has fine views down Lochcarron and across the sea.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

A varied circular walk on excellent stalker's paths and forestry track. The route crosses two passes but the ascent is steady rather than steep.

Getting there

Start

Achnashellach Station.

Public Transport

Train or bus to Achnashellach.

Start Grid Ref

NH004483

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 15km / 9.25 miles
Time: 5 - 7 hours
Ascent: 560m (Profile)

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Explorer 429 - Glen Carron

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Walk Description

User reports (8)

Stage 1

If driving, park at the layby on the A890 opposite the telephone box and the private road to Achnashellach station. From here walk up the road to the station, turning right after the outbuildings. Cross the railway line with care and proceed up the track a short way until you reach a crossroads. Here turn left slightly back on yourself and continue on a forestry track, passing through a gate and into thinning trees. Ahead there is a good view of the prow of Fuar Tholl; at 907 metres it just misses out on Munro status.

Stage 2

After a short distance take a signed path that turns off sharply to the left - if you miss the path and continue on the track into thicker trees do turn back as the way ahead is blocked by a fence higher up. The path heads towards the River Làir, passing through a gate, and through a mixture of gorse, broom, birch and single pine trees. The path begins to climb revealing increasingly impressive views. Follow the stony path as it winds uphill, ignoring a smaller path to the left. The ground becomes much barer as the path climbs above the last single pines and crosses rockier ground. Beinn Liath Mhòr appears ahead, and then the impressive cliffs of Sgòrr Ruadh coming into view further to the left.

Stage 3

After the gradient eases off, a path junction is reached. Marked with a cairn the route to the left leads to the bealach between Fuar Tholl and Sgòrr Ruadh. Ignore this turning and instead continue straight on with Beinn Liath Mhor looming ahead. Soon a second, larger cairn is reached on the right. The left fork here heads for the upper reaches of Coire Làir - our route keeps right, uphill.

Stage 4

At another fork ignore the left path (the route to Beinn Liath Mhor) and keep right. Eventually the path begins a very slow descent through a much more open landscape. The path is clear as it cuts through the heather and crosses a couple of streams. Eventually it runs parallel to attractive native woodland of pines and birches on the other side of the burn.

Stage 5

Eventually the path leads wooden bridge allows you to cross another stream below an impressive waterfall (the Easan Dorcha itself) just before you reach the tiny bothy. The teahouse - as the bothy is known - is maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting. Visited in 2006 by Michelle Pfieffer and Robert de Niro when they were filming Stardust at nearby Coulin, the humble hut is popular with walkers, cyclists and fishermen - though perhaps better suited for a cuppa and some shelter rather than an overnight stay. From here a track leads down to the stone bridge over the River Coulin about 2 kilometres further on.

Stage 6

Just before reaching the bridge, there are great views of Beinn Eighe over to the left. Turn right and cross the bridge and follow the landrover track as it begins its steady ascent to Coulin Pass. On a clear day the view back is fabulous with majestic Beinn Eighe in the background and some impressive Caledonian pines as foreground. Follow the landrover track, ignoring a smaller track down to the river. At the top of the pass continue on the track and pass through the gate into forestry.

Stage 7

The forestry track traverses the hillside, gently dropping to Achnashellach. Much of the former forestry has been felled and there are now good views across the valley and later down Loch Carron. Ignore the signed pony track (a path) to Craig and continue on the main track. A forestry track comes in from the left, continue straight on, crossing a bridge and passing two telecommunications masts. Eventually the track reaches the cross roads at the start of the walk. Go straight across and down to the railway station where the outward route is retraced to the layby on the A890. In the summer months teas are often available at the house just north of the railway crossing.

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