Bidein a' Chabair from Glen Dessarry

Car park by end of Loch Arkaig

In the Great Glen, Gairlochy and its locks on the Caledonian Canal sit a couple of miles west of the Commando Memorial above Spean Bridge.

From Gairlochy the narrow B8005 heads up to Loch Lochy's southern tip then turns westwards. From here on a very narrow and unclassified road a 12 mile drive travels through the mossy Mile Dorcha then hugs the northern shores of Loch Arkaig to its western end.

The road ends by a gate across the access to an estate track, just before which is a large parking area with designated bays for around 15 vehicles.

If the car-park is full, there are various verge side parking areas before reaching the car-park, but care should be taken not to block passing places.

River Dessarry

Leaving the car-park behind, head around the gate at the end of the road and begin cycling westwards along a smooth estate track. After just under 1km of cycling, the track comes to a junction by a few right-of-way signs - turn left and aim downhill towards the buildings at Strathan.

Before coming to Strathan, take the right fork at a branch in the track to cross a bridge over the River Dessarry, then head into forestry. A short distance into the forest, another junction is met, turn right and cycle uphill on a track towards Glen Dessarry.

Following the fine track for around 4km leads to the end of the forestry above lonely A' Chuil Bothy. The track then turns northwards, loses a little height and heads back into more forestry.

Bridge at end of track

Bridge at end of track

Looking up Meall na Sroine from the edge of the forest

Now on foot, cross the bridge to the river's northern bank. As the bridge is somewhat dilapidated and may be dangerous to cross, it may be wiser to follow the rough muddy tracks that the estate's all-terrain vehicles have made following the river's south bank to ford the river a short distance upstream.

Onto the river's northern bank, the track immediately becomes rather soggy and mucky as it splits upon re-entering foresty. Take left fork and follow the track aside the Allt a' Ghiubhais on its northern bank through dense woodland. Progress on the damp path will require some ducking and bending under low-hanging branches !

A wooden stile and the remains of an old deer fence are met by the edge of forestry. Looking across the Allt a' Ghiubhais and uphill towards Meall na Sroine, a green rake of grass can be seen making a direct line up the lumpy slope rutted with rocky buttresses. Following this rake leads onto undulating ground and onwards over a wide grass-covered crest to Meall na Sroine's highest point .

Continuing onwards over Druim Coire nan Laogh pitted with lochans, navigation may be testing - ignore any old iron fence posts encountered as they don't seem to go anywhere !

Bidein a' Chabair from Meall na Sroine

Bidein a' Chabair from Meall na Sroine

The direct route up to Bidein a' Chabair's summit

Standing on the grass covered ground immediately below and east of Bidein a' Chabair's rocky summit, the route up looks intimidating.

For a direct ascent, firstly head to the left of the crest of the ridge and under some rocks. Look for a faint path rising on the grassy ground your right. Following this path, head up it as turns back on itself to join the crest of the ridge at a small grass-covered platform. Now sticking to the ridge, gain a little more height while enjoying some easy scrambling on rock with good holds. The foot of an awkward 'bad step' with exposure off to the right is met - this needs attacked head on, beyond which the difficulties ease and a fairly straightforward hike continues to Bidein a' Chabair's summit.

If the exposure of the 'bad step' does not appeal, then from the base of the rocky knoll, instead head to the right of the crest, turning under Bidein a' Chabair's summit rocks. Following a series of grass-covered ledges and lose a little height while aiming westwards for around 200m or so, then turn southwards and begin to climb uphill. The route becomes more obvious with height and the summit crest is reached around 150m west of the cairn, from where it's a straightforward walk on grass.

Sgurr na Ciche from Bidein a' Chabair's summit cairn

Sgurr na Ciche from Bidein a' Chabair's summit cairn

The ridge to Sgurr na h-Aide with Beinn Bhuidhe beyond

The most straightforward return is to simply about-turn and re-trace your steps back to the bridge in the forest for a pleasant cycle back to the road-end.

Sgurr na h-Aide and Bidein a' Chabair from Carn Mor

Sgurr na h-Aide and Bidein a' Chabair from Carn Mor