Ben More Assynt and Conival from Glen Cassley

End of public road in Glen Cassley

On the A837, 20km north-west of Bonar Bridge and 9km east of Oykel Bridge, there is a narrow road heading north-west up Glen Cassley. This is a very quiet glen, perhaps a bit isolated, but there are some interesting bits, including the Cassley Falls and a fair amount of Scots Pine woodland. Drive up this road, past the Achness Hotel, to its end near Duchally Lodge. There is parking for a couple of cars.

Bridge over River Cassley, Ben More assynt in distance

So you've decided to do the entire route on foot ! From the end of the public road, start by heading south down a path through grass and cross the River Cassley via a suspension footbridge .

Once over the other side of the River Cassley, head north-west on some faint ATV tracks over rough ground and bog. The remains of a rough track are picked up and followed for around 3km. The track can be pretty wet going, as it passes between forestry and the River Cassley. The track turns uphill to meet with the better hydro track and pipe .

Turn left (south-west) for 200m to come to a junction in the track .

Track alongside pipe above River Cassley

A longer, drier and ultimately quicker approach can be made by bike ! From the end of the public road, heads through the gate towards Duchally Lodge. A large hut is met, immediately behind which, turn left, drop slightly and cycle around Duchally Lodge and along a fine estate track.

A lovely cycle with a few ups and downs of around 4km leads through upper Glen Cassley to a bridge over the River Cassley, just downstream from a dam and small power station.

Cross the bridge, cycle a short steep twisty section uphill on a slightly rougher track to meet up with a hydro pipe. Follow the pipe and track southwards for around 1.5km to pass the top of the track used by for the initial approach on foot and come to a junction in the track .

Nearing Ben More Assynt's summit, looking north

Leave the main track at the turning circle and head over the pipe using a metal grating. Continue west on another, yet rougher track for around 3km.

The track comes to a large turning circle and if you've cycled, this is probably the best place to leave your bike. A well defined track heads right (north), but alas this isn't going in the direction of Ben More Assynt. Instead take a rougher and narrower track aiming north-west uphill ahead.

This track gradually becomes fainter and after around 500m completely disappears from where it is onto pathless, grass-covered and tussocky ground. Continue north-west, cross the Alltan Aonghais where appropriate to reach the northern side of Coire Rèidh. Grassy ground for a fair distance gradually gives way to stoney ground further up, which in turn is replaced by the bouldery ground on the final 1km and 200m of ascent to Ben More Assynt's summit .

There are two cairns on the summit crest of Ben More Assynt, with the northerly one sitting above an easy scramble indicating the highest point.

On Conival looking back to Ben More Assynt, Ben Klibreck beyond

From the summit of Ben More Assynt, aim due west, following the crest of the ridge connecting the two Munro summits. Although it's only around 1.5km between the summits of Ben More Assynt and Conival, most of the ridge is covered in scree and boulderfield. Apart from one section of slab which falls to the north (and which needs a little care but is avoidable by going under) and a bit of rock hopping for the final pull up onto Conival, there are no difficulties to be encountered on the way.

A large cairn sits on Conival's summit overlooking drops to the south-west and from where superb views over to Quinag and the Outer Hebrides can be savoured.

Returning down the track to Glen Cassley

The return is a case of about turning and retracing your steps. The view walking back along the crests bewteen the Munro is quite amazing with Ben More Assynt's southern ridge dominating the view ahead.

Upon reaching Ben More Assynt's summit, an option would be to head down the southern ridge, over the 'bad step' and up to the southern top, from where a descent could be made eastwards to return to the estate tracks - one of these days I'll get around to this !