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Steven Fallon Scottish Mountain Routes
Steven Fallon Scottish Mountain Routes
 
  kingairloch circuit
corbetts Creach Bheinn (853m)
Fuar Bheinn (766m)

grahams   Beinn na Cille (652m)

ascent 1400m (4,600ft)
distance   14km (9m)
time running : 2:45hr, walking : 5:45hr*
 *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent



main route summary

Two fine Corbetts and a lower Graham form a fine rough circuit above the few houses and farm at Kingairloch in Morven. Creach Bheinn can easily be reached by a slog from the highest point on the Glen Tarbert road that leads to Strontian. However, to combine all 3 peaks and enjoy the hills to the fullest, the approach from Kingairloch to the south is recommended. There views from these hills and Creach Bheinn in particular are stunning in all directions, looking as far as Jura, Rum, Skye and beyond.



profile
location view map of location

start/finish Glengalmadale Bridge
(grid ref : NM863530)

maps/guides  Covered by 1 OS Landranger 1:50000 or 1 OS Explorer 1:25000 map :
OS Landranger 49 - click to buy from Amazon OS Explorer 383 - click to buy from Amazon Pocket Mountains - West Highlands - click to buy from Amazon Pocket Mountains - Classic Hill Runs and Races - click to buy from Amazon

GPX data download GPX file of this route

terrain
easy Steep, but nothing technical difficult
navigation
easy Confusing topography in mist testing
effort
stroll A fair day out ! long day
scenery
ok The views just get better the more height gained stunning
main route outline

Getting there
From the Corran, 10km south-west of Fort William a reliable ferry passes the Corran Narrows to Ardgour. Once on the Ardgour pininsula, head south-west on the A861 for 10km and a sign pointing south to Kingairloch on the B8043 will be seen. Take this road, which is narrow and drive for 12km to reach a bridge over Glengalmadale River. Cross the bridge and park tightly on the edge of a passing place by a forest - if this space is taken, there are other places nearby.

Beinn na Cille
From the passing place, trudge directly up the steep hillside following the edge of the forest - progress is easier just within the forest, rather than outwith it. Upon reaching the edge of the forest, aim west and gain more height on grass and through occasional bracken, avoiding a few rocky outcrops. Gradually turn north-north-west, the ascent begins to ease and Beinn na Cille's summit is reached without much drama. The views, particularly southwards, are amazing considering this little hill's modest height.

Fuar Bheinn
Continue north-north-west from Beinn na Cille's summit over grass covered ground and start to loose height. As the descent steepens, a few bouldery patches are crossed, then Bealach Coire Mhic Gugain is reached. Head northwards up a gently rising slope ahead and gain Meall Coire Mhic Gugain, from where some level ground is crossed and a pleasant grass covered hillside is climbed to reach Fuar Bheinn. Even better views this time, with a fine aspect onto Beinn Resipol.

Creach Bheinn
The OS 1:50000 maps suggests that there may be some steep rocky sections heading directly north from Fuar Bheinn, however the terrain is much more straightforward than expected, and the Cul Mham bealach is quickly reached. Creach Bheinn's summit is gained by an easy walk passing some tiny lochans on the way. A huge cairn and trig point rest on the domed summit, with stunning views in all directions.

Return
Head north-east from Creach Bheinn summit for 500m, then turn east annd drop to narrow Bealach Coire an Dubh-alltan. To savour one last superb view, continue up Maol Odhar, on which rests a cairn with some plane wreckage from a RAF Voodoo which crashed in 1964 (more details here). Turn due south and follow the line of the hillside down into Glen Galmadale. Cross the burns and trace a vague path over sodden ground for 2km to meet a track to follow back to Glengalmadale Bridge.



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