Streap & Bràigh nan Uamhachan from Glen Dubh Lighe

Car-park by Fassfern

Heading westwards from Fort William along the A830, through Caol and Corpach towards Mallaig, the northern shore of Loch Eil is driven along.

Around 3km west of head of Loch Eil, the road sweeps around a bend and crosses the Dubh Lighe. Just beyond the bridge over this river, a couple of rough roads head into forestry, one westwards, the other northwards. The westward aiming road and just beyond a forestry sign, is the Craigag car-park with room for around 5 vehicles by an information board. On the other road, taking care not to block access, there is limited room to park a couple of vehicles by a large gate in a deer fence.

Track through woodlands of Glen Dubh Lighe

To begin the hike, take the northward road and pass through a gate. Winding through woodland, the road soon transitions into an estate track while climbing alongside the western bank of the Dubh Lighe with its waterfalls, gorges, and pools (on my last visit here some kids with Outward Bound were having fun canyoning !).

The track eventually enters a forestry area and, after about 2km, reaches a turning circle by a junction . From here, take the downhill track to the right.

Dubh Lighe bothy and Beinn an Tuim

Dubh Lighe bothy and Beinn an Tuim

Start of wall on Sròn Liath

Just before arriving at Gleann Dubh Lighe bothy, take the rough track on the right, which climbs and curves northwards, eventually reaching a height of 270m where it ends . From this point, follow a small burn upstream in a fire-break to the forest's edge.

At the forest's edge, a deer fence needs clambing over and open hillside is at last reached. The terrain now of thick grass and a bit damp is ascended to gain the wide, undulating crest of Na h-Uamhachan.

Following the crest northwards, a damp area with some dilapidated fence lines is passed, followed shortly thereafter meeting with a line of old iron fence posts rising from Gleann Fionnlighe. The posts merge into a well-constructed wall , which is followed over Sròn Liath and partway up Bràigh nan Uamhachan.

View south from Bràigh nan Uamhachan

View south from Bràigh nan Uamhachan

Top of wall on Bràigh nan Uamhachan, Streap Comhlaidh and Sgùrr Thuilm beyond

From the summit of Bràigh nan Uamhachan, return to the wall and begin to follow it downhill. On grass, the descent is a delight and not as steep as initial appearances suggest.

After losing around 100m in height, the wall comes to an end. From here, continue heading directly downhill, aiming for the southern shore of Lochan a' Chomhlain below. While descending, occasional old iron posts might be found along with a resilient rowan tree growing from an erratic boulder.

Upon reaching the shore of Lochan a' Chomhlain, aim upwards toward, then up, a wide grass-covered channel that breaks through the hillside ahead.

Onto the crest of the northern shoulder of Streap Comhlaidh , follow it south-westward. Soon, a line of old posts will appear, and shortly after the crest turns southwards and narrows sharply. Turning southwest, the crest widens again, a small bealach is crossed and the flat summit of Streap Comhlaidh is reached.

From here, head westwards, descending a faint but obvious path as it twists and turns to reach the bealach between Streap Comhlaidh and Streap. Beyond the bealach, the path climbs and reaches a rocky nose. The drop to the left of the nose is significant, but fortunately, the path skirts around to the right, following a gentle grass-covered ascent.

Streap from Streap Comhlaidh

Streap from Streap Comhlaidh

Streap Comhlaidh from Streap

From the summit of Streap, make an about-turn and retrace your steps back to the summit of Streap Comhlaidh .

From Streap Comhlaidh, begin descending in a generally southeast direction down a grass-covered slope. As the ground rises slightly over a minor summit, a faint path forms. Continue following the path southwards, losing around 300m in height as the path gradually fades.

At a height of around 550m, there are some rocky crags - these can be avoided by veering southwest briefly. Thereafter, the remaining descent to the glen floor is straightforward.

Bulldozed track through Glen Dubh Lighe

Bulldozed track through Glen Dubh Lighe