Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor

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A challenging expedition to climb two of the remotest Munros. The fine, pointed summit of Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich would be more celebrated were it not hidden deep in the wilds of Monar, whilst neighbouring Lurg Mhor is even more inaccessible. The walk can be broken up by an overnight stay in the bothy or wild camping.

Terrain

A long but good approach track leads to Bendronaig Lodge - this has been widened and smoothed for hydro works and could be done by mountain bike, though the first ascent is long and steep. Beyond there is a stalkers path to Loch Calavie and along the ridge between the peaks, but the rest of the route is very rough and pathless. A serious expedition, far from help, requiring experience of wild country.

Public Transport

Attadale train station (request stop Inverness-Kyle line) short walk along A890 from start.

Start

Parking just off the A890 at turning for Attadale Gardens. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 38km / 23.5 miles
Time: 16 hours / 2 days
Ascent: 1530m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG924387

Summits Climbed

Munro: Lurg Mhor
Munro: Bidein a Choire Sheasgaich

Maps, App and GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Start from the walker's car park on the right after turning into Attadale Estate from the A890 south of Strathcarron. There is a map showing the route. Walk along the entrance driveway, bearing left towards the entrance to the Gardens. Pass some cottages on the right and when the Gardens entrance is reached turn right along the road up the Glen, away from Attadale House. The lane follows the pleasant strath, when it forks take the lower, right hand side signed for cottages and walkers. Eventually pass through a gate near the estate holiday cottages; after this the track becomes rougher. Continue along it, ignoring two turnings to the right, to reach a bridge over the River Attadale. Go right across this and follow the track as it begins to climb through birch woodland. It soon joins a new bulldozed hydro track heading uphill - hopefully the scars from this will heal with time.

Stage 2

There are great views back over Lochcarron backed by the peaks of Applecross. After the climb up the valley of the Abhainn Odhar, the track flattens out somewhat as it crosses undulating moors, with forestry plantations over to the right. Ignore two tracks off on the right, the second of which has a footpath signpost (for Killilan in Kintail). The track winds around, passing the small Loch an Droigan, before climbing steeply in zig-zags after passing the outflow of Loch na Caillich.

Stage 3

The gradient then eases once more and Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor finally come into view at last - though still distant - and eventually the track heads gently downhill into a new, empty landscape. After descending down the empty Srath Feith a'Mhadaidh for over a kilometre, the original track climbs slightly and then drops again towards the wide Uisage Dhubh or Black Water River, curving to the south to reach an attractive cast-iron bridge where the river flows through a small ravine. Cross the bridge and continue on the track which turns left on the far side (you can avoid some of the hydro track by keeping on the old track closer to the river).

Stage 4

A kilometre and a half further on a pair of lonely buildings is reached at Bendronaig Lodge. The first of these is a lodge used by stalkers, but just beyond is the second building. This is maintained by the Attadale Estate as an open bothy for the use of walkers. Whether staying here, camping nearby or just popping in, please repay the estate's generosity by carrying out all your rubbish and keeping the place tidy; flush the toilet by filling the cistern using the bucket in the stream outside.

Stage 5

Beyond the bothy, a bulldozed track continues east. This soon reaches a junction and a rickety footbridge over the Allt Coire na Sorna (the hydro track avoids this). Take the branching track that climbs up the glen on the north side of the Allt Coire na Sorna. It climbs up into Coire na Sorna before crossing a low bealach and descending slightly to the lonely shores of Loch Calavie, beloved of fishermen.

Stage 6

Follow the track for a short distance along the northern shore, to where the Allt Coire Calavie flows into the loch. Here, turn left and climb up beside the stream. The going is usually a little wet; after a long, fairly sustained climb the gradient eases; aim a little to the right to reach the bealach between Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor. Turn right to tackle Lurg Mhor first.

Photo: MagicDin

Stage 7

A surprisingly good path makes for an easy ascent, with two steepish sections before the cairn is reached, and good views behind of the Bidein. The summit cairn of Lurg Mhor, 986 metres, is prized as undoubtedly amongst the remotest of all Munros, and is situated close to the edge of its steep northern crags. East of the summit the ridge descends and dramatically narrows to make a scramble across exposed slippery slabs necessary for any walkers wishing to make a detour to the eastern top of Meall Mor (not included in the distance and times for this route); instead, return to the bealach.

Photo: MagicDin

Stage 8

This time follow the path westwards as it winds up towards the Bidein. This ascent steepens towards the end, curving right to reach the narrow, graceful summit ridge of Bidein a'Choire Sheagaich. Nicknamed 'Cheesecake' by some hill-goers who are unsure of Gaelic pronunciation, this peak, although lower at 945 metres, is much finer than Lurg Mhor, it's airy summit being a just reward for the effort of reaching it. Descend southwest back along the summit ridge, and then steeply down (pathless) to a small lochan just below. From here, follow the undulating, rocky ridge out to the minor final bump of Sail Riabhach, and continue to its termination to the west.

Photo: MagicDin

Stage 9

From here, a route can be picked out down the primarily heathery slopes to the path in Coire na Sorna. Turn right down this path to return to Bendronaig Lodge - and the start of the long, long track back to Attadale.

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Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor

Terrain

Public Transport

Start

Users' reports

Walk Statistics

Summits Climbed

Maps, App and GPS