Druim Fada from Fassfern

Car-park by Fassfern, Druim Fada above

The A830 travels from Fort William along the northern shore of Loch Eil to Glenfinnan and onwards to Mallaig.

Around halfway along Loch Eil, a section of the old road detours a short distance northwards up Gleann Suileag, passing the row of houses that make up Fassfern.

The road crosses a bridge over the An t-Suileag, where by some old shielings, there is a large parking area with a tourist information board. There is a height barrier across the access to the car-park, restricting vehicles to under 2.1m.

From here, the western slopes of Druim Fada can be seen rising above the forestry, giving a clear impression of the ground to be gained before the broad ridge is reached.

Crossing the final track, view over Loch Eil to Stob Coire a' Chearcaill

From the car-park, return to the bridge over the An t-Suileag. Once over, turn left and take the track marked by a right-of-way sign towards Glen Loy.

The track travels beside the east bank of the An t-Suileag through attractive woodland. Around 1km from the roadside, a junction is reached where a bridge crosses the burn to the left - keep to the main track. Shortly afterwards, in a clearing, a wooden post with a blue marker indicates the start of a grassy track climbing uphill through the forestry.

Following this grassy track gains around 50m of height before meeting a more substantial forestry road . Turn left and, before reaching a bridge over a burn, look for an unmarked path heading uphill on the right. This path is now little used and somewhat overgrown, but provides a direct line uphill. Underfoot it can be damp and rough in places.

The path emerges from the forest . Here it is left, and the ascent continues directly uphill through grass beside the forest edge. Crossing another track, the line meets a deer fence, which is followed uphill to a locked gate (wooden slats at the side aid access over). Beyond, the open hillside is gained.

A straightforward hike now follows up the gentle but undulating slopes of grass and heather, gaining around 200m of height to reach the crest of Druim Fada at its western end . Views are fine on the ascent, but open out spectacularly once the ridge is reached, with Gulvain particularly prominent.

The walk along the crest is a delight, weaving between small lochans to reach a cairn and trig point at a minor summit marked 716m on maps. Around 800m further on, the West Top is reached, its small cairn perched above a steep drop into Coire an Fhuidhir below.

The main summit, Stob a' Ghrianain, lies ahead, still nearly 3km away, with Ben Nevis and the Mamores dominating the view. More lochans are passed along the wide, undulating crest, with a faint path appearing and fading along the way.

Stob a' Ghrianain from Druim Fada's West Top

Stob a' Ghrianain from Druim Fada's West Top

Small pile of stones marking Stob a' Ghrianain's summit, looking back along Druim Fada

The return is made by retracing the outward route along the ridge, with grand views towards Ardgour, Gulvain and the Rough Bounds of Knoydart.

On my visit, strengthening winds across the exposed crest prompted a descent towards the forestry for shelter, aiming for a break in the trees (grid ref NN048804) . This involved again negotiating deer fencing and rough ground. Once in the forest, a smooth forestry track is reached (with a short steep section surfaced in tarmac !). This meets another, more level track which leads back to the top of the rough path used earlier, allowing the outward route to be retraced to Fassfern. The quiet of the forest provided a marked contrast to the blustery ridge above.

Back in the forest, descending the track with Aodann Chleireig ahead

Back in the forest, descending the track with Aodann Chleireig ahead

The Druim Fada Chase is a hill-running race now run as part of Lochaber Athletic Club's Winter League series (see Lochaber Athletic website).

The race route (see dashed line on map) starts from a point around 1 mile west of the Loch Eil Outward Bound Centre. From the start, the route follows estate tracks through the forests on the lower slopes of Druim Fada, travelling eastwards beneath the hill. The course then descends through the forestry before finishing at Annat, on the western edge of Corpach.

Running towards the finish of the Druim Fada Chase

420m/12km

Running towards the finish of the Druim Fada Chase