Getting there
These hills lie in the vast area of Reay Forest, with the access from the south from near Loch Stack.
A private road just north of the hamlet of Achfary leaves the A838 at the southern end of Loch Stack and there is ample parking at the junction or by the bridge over the inflow to Loch Stack.
Meall Horn
Head over the bridge on the private road, then north up to the house at Airdachuilinn.
The road is tarred to this house, thereafter a track leads to the sheds at Lone
.
Cross the bridge here, shortly beyond which the track comes to a junction - take the left fork and continue over a couple more bridges to a forest guarded by two remarkable rocks either side of the track.
Follow the track above the Allt Horn for roughly 3km to c400m
, then leave the track and aim eastwards over peat hags and grass.
The ascent steepens and the crest between Creagan Meall Horn and Meall Horn is gained.
Turn right (south-east) and reach Meall Horn's summit with a small cairn and fine views.
Foinaven
About-turn and follow the crest to Creagan Meall Horn.
Next aim west-north-west and you should be able to pick a route down to Bealach Horn - the going is steep and loose, but not overly difficult.
Cross the track
then travel northwards for 2km, looking for a grassy route amongst the slabs and boulders.
Contour around Creag Dionard (not marked on the OS 1:50000) on its western side above the crags, then gain the minor summit (marked 808m)
- do not be tempted to by-pass this summit by its northern side !
We're now on Foinaven's ridge - there's some easy scrambling to enjoy on the way, but take care, particularly in wet conditions as the quartzite boulders care be very slippy.
Drop to Cadha na Beucaich
, where there is a small shelter, then up to the point marked 869m.
The spur heading north-east from this summit is most impressive and a scrambling route can be taken along it to drop down to Srath Dionard.
Continue along the ridge over one more rise to the summit crest with two small cairns 150m apart, of which the western marks the top.
Arkle
Retrace your steps to the shelter on Cadha na Beucaich
, then drop south-west on an excellent scree-run that will bring a smile to your face.
Gradually heather replaces the scree as you turn southwards to aim for the eastern end of Loch na Tuadh.
Cross the burn flowing into the loch (care required in spate)
, then keeping the crags ahead on your right, climb up heather clad slopes.
Arkle's eastern shoulder comes into view, scree everywhere. Look to the left (south) side of this shoulder
and a relatively easy route can be picked out, following stunted heather for the most part and avoiding the rocky outcrops.
Height gain is steep, but therefore quick and Arkle's broad summit crest is reached.
Have a break on the small cairn that sits on the summit and take in the vast views.
Return
Arkle's stunning crest curves around the scree filled coire of Am Bathaich.
Immediately after leaving the summit, the ridge narrows and an amazing causeway of quartzite
is crossed with some care required.
The ridge broadens and a faint path is followed down to a col, then up to Arkle's southern summit.
A broad plateau is followed south-east, then drop down to follow grassy ground aside a small burn.
A path can be picked up lower down to meet up with the track above the Allt Horn
, which is then retraced back to the A838.
