Beinn Dearg - the Four Munros circuit

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Beinn Dearg is the highest summit on this fine round of four Munros. The second peak, remote Cona Mheall, is on the opposite side of impressively rocky and wild Coire Ghranda whilst Meall nan Ceapraichean and Eididh nan Clach Geala extend the route to give a grand traverse with spectacular views across towards Assynt.

Terrain

Forest track and then a fine stalkers' path for the approach (and return) - but higher up there are pathless sections and much rocky, rough terrain to cross.

Public Transport

Regular bus service between Ullapool and Inverness.

Start

Car park south of Inver Lael bridge on A835 just north of telephone box on east side of road. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a car park just north of the telephone box and house on the east side of the A835 just south of Inverlael Bridge. Start by going back out the car park entrance and then turning sharp right onto a track. This swings left near the house to head towards Inverlael Forest. Soon you enter the plantation. Ignore a track to the left and then one to the right, keeping on the track ahead which has a few waymarker posts. After 2km it dips to cross a bridge over the river. Further on a track forks off left for Seana Bhràigh, one of the remotest Munros; our route continues up the main track through the forestry.

Stage 2

After another kilometre a large turning area is reached, and the route continues on a path. This almost immediately exits the forestry at a gate and the walk now improves greatly as the route follows an old stalkers path up Gleann na Sguaib. Height is gained gradually on the excellent path which keeps well to the left above the burn, with grand views to Beinn Dearg ahead. After another couple of kilometres the path forks; the left path heads up towards Eididh nan Clach Geala and is used on the return, but our route keeps to the main glen path ahead.

Stage 3

There are impressive cliffs across the glen as Coire Mathair Lathail is reached and the stream is crossed on the ascent up to Lochan Lathail, a truly beautiful spot. Beyond the lochan the path - which extends far beyond what is shown on OS maps, despite a couple of indistinct stretches - climbs once more in a series of zig-zags to reach the barren, stony Bealach an Lochain Uaine. There is another series of small lochans here, and the bealach is the junction of several routes.

Stage 4

Our route ascends Beinn Dearg first. To do so, head southeast across the wide bealach to meet a massive stone wall. Turn right alongside this, soon climbing steeply beside the wall and up over some bouldery ground. There are great views back over the bealach. The ascent is strenuous but the slope eventually eases; when you reach a corner where the wall turns right pass through a gap and aim slightly west of south to reach the huge summit cairn.

Stage 5

At 1084 metres this is the highest Munro north of the A835. The views are superb and very extensive with countless mountains in view; An Teallach is well seen to the northwest, whilst Loch Broom stretches away towards Assynt and Coigach. The photo shows the distant Torridon peaks seen over Loch a' Bhroain. Return to the wall and retrace your steps back down the steep slopes.

Stage 6

The second Munro to climb is Cona' Mheall. At the end of the wall, pass to the right of a small lochan and then follow a rough path that traverses the southern slopes of a hillock before descending to the east to reach a lower bealach. From here there are magnificent views south into Coire Ghranda with its fine loch. Beyond this bealach the ascent of Cona Mheall is on an uninviting open slope of grass and scree, with a final awkward summit boulder-field. For many years this was said to have been one of the only Munros with no summit cairn, but there is a small cairn at the 980 metre top today; but no man-made constructions can detract from the wild views across the Coire to the cliffs of Beinn Dearg. Retrace your steps back down to the first bealach and then back to Lochan Uaine.

Stage 7

This time, ascend the ridge which heads northwest from Lochan Uaine itself, ignoring a stalkers path that heads north. Keep the steep drop on your left and continue up the slope that leads easily to the third Munro of the day, Meall nan Ceapraichean. Continue over the minor bump of Ceann Garbh. The descent from here can be tricky if the best route isn't taken - head east towards a dip before cutting down. There is stony ground and boulders, and several bands of crags; eventually a path can be picked up that descends along the top of one of these lines of crags that slopes down to the next bealach.

Stage 8

The climb up to Eididh nan Clach Geala is on easier on mostly grassy slopes. There are two cairns - the first is the highest, but the second cairn a short distance beyond is the finest viewpoint. If you are lucky with the weather and light conditions, this fourth and lowest Munro at 928 metres is a great place to enjoy the spectacular view northwest to the mountains of Coigach and Assynt, with Stac Pollaidh prominent.

Stage 9

Continue the walk by descending the west ridge for almost a kilometre before dropping steeply southwards to join up with a stalkers path coming down from Loch a Chnapaich, with great views back to Beinn Dearg and Meall nan Ceapraichean. Follow this stalkers path downhill until it rejoins the outward route in Gleann na Sguaib, then turn right to return to the start by the route of ascent.

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