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main route summary
The two munros in Assynt are connected by a scree and boulder strewn ridge, which is narrow enough in places to allow for a bit of easy scrambling. Both summits have expansive, but different views. From Conival, the view is over Inverpolly with Suilven and Canisp and to the sea beyond. From Ben More Assynt the view is primarily east over vast moorlands with occasional peaks. Breabag, the corbett just south of these munros, is not a particularly fine hill, being long, flattish and whale-backed in shape and covered in stone and boulders. Interesting however, are the Bone Caves at this hill's foot which are well worth a visit.


main route outline

Getting there
The easiest route into these peaks starts from Inchnadamph. Although in the far north, this collection of a few houses, a hotel and field centre, is connected to the south via fine roads. If coming in from the Lairg direction however, the roads are considerably narrower. At Inchnadamph, just south of the bridge over the River Traligill there is a car-park by the entrance to the Inchnadamph Hotel.

Conival
Leave the car-park, head onto the main road, cross the bridge, then head up the track past Inchnadamph field centre. Keep on the track for 1km, past the house of Glenbain to a large old hut, 500m further on on your right. The track heads straight on, but don't follow it, turn onto a faint path on the south side of the wall and follow this over grass to meet up with the burn coming down Gleann Dubh. Notice there is a footbridge off right - this leads to caves and worth a visit. The path keeps to the north side of the burn for another 2km, then pulling slightly away from the burn, turns north-east to cross wet grass and start to climb. The ground becomes more wet and peaty further up. Keep following the burn on its west side. The path crosses the burn higher up, and some easy scrambling is required to get over a line of rock. One more patch of grass, then it's onto the northern arm of Conival. A path zig-zags up the screes to higher up where occasional blocks of quartzite are crossed and the large summit cairn is reached. Wonderful views are to be had, particularly west over to Suilven.

Ben More Assynt
From Conival's summit, head easy and scramble down a rocky section. The path follows the bouldery crest and up some scree to Ben More Assynt, though no difficulties are encountered on the way. Ben More Assynt has two summit cairns, one on a bouldery plateau, and one on a narrow section of rock - I suspect the latter is the higher. Like Conival, the views are expansive, though very different, looking primarily eastwards.

Return
The easiest route back to Inchnadamph is to return to Conival and head back down the route taken up. Have a look at the caves and hidden burns on the way out.

alternatives

From Glen Cassley
See a completely different side to these peaks ! The OS Landranger 16 map will also be needed for this route.

9km east of Oykel Bridge, by the Achness Hotel, there is a narrow road heading north-west up Glen Cassley. Drive up this road to it's end near Duchally Lodge. Cross the River Cassley via the suspension footbridge and follow the footpath on the west side of the river for 3km to a track. Turn left on a track for 200m, then leave the main track and head west on another track, pass the pipe and continue for another 3km. Another track is crossed, then shortly after it is onto pathless grassy ground. Aim north-west to the northern side of Coire Reidh. Grassy and heathery ground gives way to stoney ground further up which in turn is replaced by the bouldery summit.

Reach Conival as described in the main route. Return by the reverse of the route in.

Total distance : 21km, total ascent : 1250m


Conival, Ben More Assynt and Breabag
If doing this route to bag the munros and the corbett Breabag, a bike is useful for the 4km return along the A837. The route finishes by the road at NC252179, where there is a car-park for several cars and a sign points the way to the Bone Caves.

Head up over Conival the Ben More Assynt as described in the main route. From Ben More Assynt's summit, head south on a path to a bealach. The crest narrows to a ridge and an awkward step blocks the way. To get over this requires nothing more than a bit of care and a path is then followed to the cairn on the south top. Aim south from this top to the next bealach, from where you could take a very steep scree route aiming directly down to Dubh-Loch Mor. I have found it easier and more enjoyable to continue to Carn nan Conbhairean, then head west and north-west to the lochan. From the lochan, head around its western shore to the bealach between Conival and Breabag Tarsuinn, where some large well spaced out fence posts are met. Follow these posts and start climbing up Breabag. This is a long hill, boulder after boulder, eventually the first cairn is met. Breabag's plateau is mainly made of quartzite stones, but the last pull up to the bouldery summit has a pleasant grassy section. The views west are lovely.

From the Breabag's summit, head north-west with the views to Suilven ahead. The ground is steep in parts, but no difficulties are encountered. Reach the Allt nan Uamh and follow it down. On the way are the Bone Caves, which are well worth a detour. Follow the track on the north side of the burn to the fish farm and back to the A837.

Total distance : 22km (plus 4km on bike), total ascent : 1850m



If doing Breabag on its own, the easiest route is to start at the car-park by the sign for the Bone Caves. Head up past the farm and caves to the summit as described above and return by the same way.