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Gulvain (987m, Munro 161)

Braigh nan Uamhachan (765m, Corbett)

1250m (4100ft)
19km (12m)
running : 2:50hr, walking : 6hr

Near Kinlocheil (NM959793)

OS landranger 40 and 41
main route summary
Gulvain is a fine mountain, standing on its own above Loch Eil to the south and Loch Arkaig to the north. Access from the south is made easy by a track aiming in up Glen Fionnlighe. Access from the north is not particularly straightforward - you could cycle in along the track up Glen Mallie from the eastern end of Loch Arkaig, or kayak across Loch Arkaig from east of Murlaggan. Gulvain has two tops, separated by a bealach at c860m and views from both tops are excellent in all directions.


main route outline

Getting there
From Fort William, follow signs for Mallaig and drive along to the western end of Loch Eil. Opposite the junction with the A861, there is a row of houses, to the east of which, beyond the bridge over the Fionn Lighe, there is space for 3 or 4 cars - but be careful not to block the access to the farmer's field. Alternative parking is available on the A861 on either side of the railway bridge.

Gulvain
By the signpost, head through the barrier and cycle up the track. The track initially climbs steeply, then flattens and drops to a bridge over the Fionn Lighe, turns north and passes a house attached to a ruin and barn at Wauchan. Through a gate, the track comes to a junction - keep right towards the river. The track now becomes rougher, but persist cycling. Out and around the forest over a burn, cycle for another 1km more to where the track reaches the corner at the northern end of a walled field - leave bikes here. Aim down a good section of path to the Allt a'Choire Reidh and cross it using the wooden bridge. Just after this, a fairly new path heads north - ignore this and look for a fainter path crossing wet ground and aiming north-east. The path starts to zig-zag as it climbs up Gulvain's southern shoulder and becomes drier as height is gained. Just follow this path to the minor bump at 855m, drop slightly to some little lochans (not marked on the OS map) and haul yourself to the trig point on the south-top. From the trig point, find the worn path heading north-east and drop on mainly grassy ground to the flat bealach. North of this, the crest narrows to a ridge before the last pull up to Gulvain's summit with its large cairn.

Return
Return by the same route. Don't be tempted to drop south from the bealach to the Fionn Lighe, as it's tiring progress through tussocky grass covering undulating ground.




Zoomable OS 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps are here


alternative

Add in Braigh nan Uamhachan
Braig nan Uamhachan is a corbett to the west of Gulvain.

Follow the main route to the northern corner of the walled field 500m before the bridge over the Allt a'Choire Reidh and leave your bike. Head north-west following the field's wall. The ground becomes quite heathery, but is drier than you'd expect. Once onto the crest there is a wall to follow for much of the way to the summit with its small cairn. The views are quite disappointing, which is down to this hill's lack of height compared to its immediate neighbours.

Leave Braigh nan Uamhachan's summit and head north for 500m, before turning east to drop to Gualann nan Osna. Progress is suprisingly straightforward. Beyond this, trudge up to Gulvain's crest between the two tops. Continue to the main summit and return as detailed in the main route.

Ascent : 1650m, distance : 23km
gulvain