Fionn Bheinn, Achnasheen

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Fionn Bheinn is the forgotten hill of the area, its wide grassy (and wet) slopes contributing to its neglect. This isn't a hill to leave for a claggy day however, as the summit is a superb viewpoint.

Terrain

A good deal of boggy terrain including pathless sections.

Public Transport

Bus or train to Achnasheen.

Start

Achnasheen car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 12km / 7.5 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 807m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH164586

Summits Climbed

Munro: Fionn Bheinn

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the car park in the centre of Achnasheen, which has toilets. This area has been landscaped in recent years and is attractive with a small village pond. Head west up the lane back to the main A832 road, turning left and cross road. Almost immediately, by red telephone box, take old road over the stone bridge, and turn right through kissing gate (footpath sign) and follow track to water treatment hut. Pass behind the hut, through a kissing gate (footpath sign) and follow the burn, keeping to the left of the fence.

Stage 2

At one point the route detours around a fenced area, and eventually it is necessary to go through a gate on the right to continue up by the Allt Achadh na Sine burn on the now open hill. Ascend the grassy hillside beside the stream for almost two kilometres, where the slope eases. Meall a' Chaorainn - a Graham - appears to be within easy reach but the intervening ground is a huge peat bog. Eventually leave the stream to avoid going too far into the bog, heading across wet groundtowards the shoulder ahead, Creagan na Laogh.

Stage 3

Higher up on the shoulder the ground underfoot begins to dry off at last, and superb views open up looking back towards the peaks of Torridon, with Liathach, Beinn Eighe and Slioch all prominent. From the flat top of Creagan na Laogh with its tiny cairn, continue northwards across a shallow descent to climb once more, reaching the main ridge of Fionn Bheinn.

Stage 4

Turn left along the ridge, which descends slightly before it begins the climb to the summit. The ridge is bounded on the north by the grassy crags of Toll Mor, the most dramatic feature of Fionn Bheinn and unsuspected in views from the road. The ridge curves slightly right to reach the summit trig point. Fionn Bheinn is 934 metres high.

Stage 5

There is a great view north to the Fannichs across Loch Fannich (the range to which Fionn Bheinn belongs, geologically), but the best prospect is that of the Torridon mountains from this unfamiliar angle. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the hill is its mention in the prophecies of the Brahan Seer. Unlike many of his prophecies, this is one which has not yet come to pass, nor is it clear what it means. He said - 'The day will come when a raven, attired in plaid and bonnet, will drink his fill of human blood on Fionn Bheinn, three times a day, for three successive days'.

Stage 6

The quickest return route is to retrace your steps. There is a worthwhile variation however. Return along the ridge, continuing east at the point where you first reached it, and soon descending to reach a well-built stone wall. Turn right along the near side of the wall to follow its course ESE and then SE down the hillside. Eventually an old grassy path is reached which runs at right-angles to the wall. Turn right down this.

Stage 7

The old path - a little overgrown with grasses but still distinct and marked on 1:25k maps - is built up in places and gives the best going across the boggy slopes. Eventually it passes through a gate in a deer fence, and then a second gate when it reaches the top of the Achnasheen plantation. Go through this and follow the path - very wet in places - down through the conifers. It soon emerges into a felled area - continue down across grassy pastures to the gate and the A832 road. Traffic on the road is very fast, and instead of walking on the verge it is possible instead to continue along the grassy pastures just above it, to the right of the fence. Once the edge of Achnasheen is reached cross to the other side of the road and follow the branch off to the left that leads down to the pond and railway station at the start.

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