Breabag and the Caves of Assynt

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Summary

Breabag may lack the dramatic outline of the other peaks in Assynt and Coigach, but it certainly provides plenty of interest. This route climbs up past the Bone Caves to make a fairly rapid ascent, but then heads north along a very rough ridge of quartzite before descending past more limestone caves to Inchnadamph. Returning to the Bone Caves car park is a 4km road walk.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Rough and rugged terrain, with moorland, heather, some bog, and quartzite boulders and slabs. 4km of roadwalking at end unless transport is arranged.

Public Transport

Bus to Bone Caves car park for start, Inchnadamph for finish.

Start

Bone Caves car park, A835. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 20km / 12.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 7 - 9 hours
Ascent: 778m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NC253178

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Breabag

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

From the car park go through the gate and follow the path past the building and along the side of the Allt nan Uamh. Soon the path passes a pretty waterfall and then climbs gradually as it follows the river upstream. As the valley narrows the path passes a very large spring on the left where an underground watercourse flows out from near the base of a crag. Such large streams appearing from nowhere are characteristic of limestone country; there is another by the bed of the stream a short distance further on. Above this, the river bed is completely dry in normal conditions. Soon the Bone Caves become visible on the steep cliff on the far side of the now dry river. A junction is reached with a path which forks right to lead up to the caves, which are well worth the detour to visit. Otherwise, continue up the path by the stream bed.

Stage 2

When the glen forks 600m further on the pitched path from the caves comes back down from the right. Ignore it and continue up the dry bed of the Allt nan Uamh, which soon becomes narrow with high, rocky sides. Eventually the route upstream is blocked by an impassable rock-step with several further cave entrances. From here a trace of a path climbs very steeply up and out the right side of the glen; it is exposed at one point and requires care.

Stage 3

Now head east up the heathery moorland; there are a few grassy patches that provide easier going. Grand views slowly open up, with Canisp behind, but it is the ridge of Conival and Ben More Assynt that perhaps wins the most admiring glances, rising with great curtains of rock and scree away to the north. Higher up, aim southeast; in clear conditions it is easy enough to pick a straightforward route up the grass and patches of scree.

Stage 4

The summit area of Breabag is a very confusing place in poor visibility, with expanses of short cropped grass dotted with various miniature scree-covered knobbles and ridges. The highest point - on one of these ridges - is marked by a shelter cairn. The views are very fine, with the unmistakable ridge of Suilven now coming into view to the left of Canisp.

Stage 5

The easiest return is to retrace your steps, but our route heads northwards to make a longer traverse to Inchnadamph. Head down to the bealach - mostly on gradual grassy slopes - and then begin the short ascent up the far side. The eastern side of the whole Breabag ridge is bounded by crags and corries, belying the usual appearance from the west. The next section of ridge from here to the bealach with Conival is covered with quartzite scree and slabs, which can be slippery when wet. At one point a dyke of weaker rock cuts right across the line of the ridge, giving superb views to the east.

Stage 6

Continue the rough going to reach Breabag Tarsuinn, where the ridge must be followed briefly to the east until an easy descent can be made into the bealach at the foot of Conival. Once in the bealach, turn left along a section of path to head through this narrow, impressive pass - often used as part of the Cape Wrath Trail. Ignore the path when it forks right and instead descend along the line of the Allt a'Bhealaich burn as it heads northwest, crossing from one side to the other as necessary.

Stage 7

After around 600m the burn drops through a second ravine - avoid this section by instead descending the moors alongside it on the north side. Once down onto the level moorland head WNW to rejoin the burn, which disappears into its bed. Continue along the north side of its dry valley, eventually joining a clear path. This improves as it descends northwest into Gleann Dubh. At one point a path branches right to visit the entrances to the Traligill Caves - which are well worth seeing.

Stage 8

Continuing down the main path, a footbridge is eventually reached and crossed. On the far side the route soon becomes a grassy track, leading past a barn and then the isolated holiday cottage at Glenbain. From here continue down the track - taking an obvious short cut down a zig-zag at one point - to eventually reach Inchnadamph hostel and then the main A837 road. There is a hotel and car park a short distance to the left, but unless transport has been arranged, a return to the start is a 4km walk beside the main road.

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