Scrambling up and scree running down
Ascent : 1275m, distance : 10km
A route taking in a fine scramble up Sgor Ban's narrow eastern shoulder and a scree descent in Sgorr Dhonuill's northern coires is a fine alternative to the easier main route. Starting from Ballachuilish and ending at Glenachulish 4km, return transport should ideally be arranged, although there is an excellent forestry track to follow to St John's Church, from where a cycle track can be walked along for 1km to return to Ballachuilish.
Start from Ballachuilish Primary School which is on the south side of the village where there is limited parking. Leave the school and follow a track south through sheep grazing fields. After around ½km leave the track and head over wet ground uphill south-west. The ground becomes heather covered further up, then the ridge narrows and some easy scrambling on a fine ridge ends at the top Sgorr Ban. Continue west over gravel and scree to Sgorr Dhearg.
On an obvious path twisting through boulders and scree, then over a grass covered shoulder, head down to the bealach between Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuill. Continue westwards steeply uphill following a path over grass to reach a bouldery flattening. The path follows Sgorr Dhonuill's narrow crest with sharp drops north into the coire, so take a bit of care as progress is made across the boulders. A little bit of easy scrambling near the summit and the cairn quickly appears. Walk a little to the west of the cairn to get the superb views to Morven and Mull.
From Sgorr Dhonuill, travel west downhill for 1km to a dip. Turn north and run down scree to pick up a path to the forest edge below. Through the forest the path meets up with the track in Gleann a'Chaolais which is then followed down to the parking area in Glenachulish.
