Fine scrambling up Sgor Ban's narrow eastern shoulder and a scree descent in Sgorr Dhonuill's northern coires
Fraochaidh from Duror Ascent : 900m, distance : 12km
A fine route up a modest hill surrounded on northern and eastern sides by higher mountains
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.
Fraochaidh from Duror
Ascent : 900m, distance : 12km
On forestry tracks lower down and pathless grass covered terrain higher up, this is a fine route up a modest hill surrounded on northern and eastern sides by higher mountains. On clear days the views are stunning.
Duror lies on the A828, 8km south-west of Ballachuilish bridge. From the main road, drive east on a side-road past some houses. After 200m and beyond a sharp turn left, the road reaches the remains of an old railway line, which is now a track. Turn south down this track for 500m and park on the verge by a sharp turn and junction in the track.
A forestry track climbs gently eastwards into Glen Duror and this can be followed for around 2km to its end. Recent forestry operations hinder progress for the last 100m or so to reach a burn coming down from the south through the forest. Intially through dense forest, follow this burn uphill, beside which many red painted markings point the way (as used on the
Two Inns Hill Race). The route emerges from the forest crossing a fence, then heads over grass and heather to reach a knoll and two lochans. From there, an easy walk over pleasant but pathless terrain follows the crest of Fraochaidh's north-western shoulder to meet up with a line of fence-posts higher up and the trig point on the summit.
Return by the same route.
