Càrn Ban via Strath Vaich

Summary

Càrn Ban is one of the most remote Corbetts, though the approach can be greatly eased by use of a mountain bike. For those completing the whole distance on foot, there are a few spots suitable for wild-camping in Gleann Beag. Stalkers' paths aid the ascent and descent whilst the summits are grassy and spacious with stunning views.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Landrover tracks for approach, with stalkers path up and down hill. Pathless grassy walking on the summits. Some boggy ground.

Getting there

Start

Start of hydro road off A835 immediately east of Black Bridge.

Public Transport

The Inverness - Ullapool bus service passes the start of the walk.

Start Grid Ref

NH373708

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 43km / 26.75 miles
Time: 12 - 13 hours
Ascent: 1092m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Càrn Ban

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Walk Description

User reports (7)

Stage 1

There is parking at the start of the tarmac hydro road that branches off the A835 just east of Black Bridge. Do not drive further along the road as it is private. Begin the walk by instead heading along the road on foot, soon passing through a gate after the initial cottages. Continue along the tarmac for over 3km, until immediately before it crosses a bridge over the Abhainn Srath a' Bhathaich, just beyond a weir.

Stage 2

Turn right through a gate onto a rougher track here, running along the bottom edge of a plantation with good views to the left through scattered birches and across the river. Cross a metal bridge and continue to a junction below a small dam. Bear left here, staying on the main track. The track eventually descends slightly and runs above the eastern side of Loch Vaich - a reservoir - with an open outlook into the wild but rolling hills ahead. Continue along the track, passing above two derelict cottages at Lubachlaggan.

Stage 3

Continuing north the track eventually leaves the reservoir behind and climbs to a bealach. Ignore a track off to the right and begin the descent. At a junction, ignore another track off to the right (which leads to Deanich Lodge, Gleann Mòr and Alladale). The track curves round the north flank of Meall a'Chaorainn and descends to cross a bridge over the Abhainn a'Ghlinne Bhig.

Stage 4

Continue on the main track up Gleann Beag until a tiny cairn and wooden post at NH338838. Although the first few metres are indistinct, a right turn here soon leads onto a clearer stalkers' path that climbs across the slopes towards the Allt Loch Sruban More. The path forks before the burn is reached; take the right branch to continue climbing on the east side of the burn. Eventually the gradient eases and a small cairn marks the high point of the old stalkers' path (from here it loops west towards the loch and back down the otherside of the burn to return to the fork). Leave the path here and head northwards up the slopes to the southern top of Càrn Ban. The going is surprisingly good underfoot.

Stage 5

Superb views now open up, with Seana Bhraigh looking particularly magnificent to the northwest whilst the Fannichs appear between Beinn Dearg and Am Faochagach to the southwest. The walking is easy on short-cropped grass as the route continues over a minor bump and then a bealach to the middle top at 838m.

Stage 6

After another gentle grassy bealach the slopes rise to the final summit at 842m - marked by a cairn. The outlook northwest towards the isolated peaks of Assynt contrasts strongly with the ranges all around. For the return, retrace your steps almost to the southern top before diverting southeast to pick up the top of another stalkers path to the east of the Alltan Leacach. The path is good at first but becomes waterlogged where it traverses east above the steeper slopes.

Stage 7

Eventually the path becomes drier as it descends a series of sharp zig-zags to reach a track to a dam at the foot of the Allt Bheargais. Follow this track down to reach the track in the glen used on the outward route.

Stage 8

Retrace your steps (or tyre tracks) back over the bridge and along the long, long kilometres back via Loch Vaich to return to the start.

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