Easains from Corriechoille

The start of this route is from Corriechoille, which is at the the end of a narrow road which starts from the railway station in Spean Bridge and heads eastwards. By the bins at Corriechoille, there is a sign discouraging parking on the verge.

However, there appears to be no objection to turning right and driving the 2km right down the track to the edge of the forest on the rugged track, but be prepared for your car's suspension to take a pounding ! Best to park where there is a junction in the tracks.

Leaving your car behind, walk south and up the estate track to a gate into forestry. Through the gate, up the track a bit and you'll pass a bench and the 'Wee Minister' - a wooden sculpture with a collection box for Lochaber Mountain Rescue.

Continue on the track through the forest. After hiking for just over 1km, the track comes to a gate and out of the forest. A little climb is followed by a dip down to a bridge over the Allt Leachdach.

Follow the track for another 200m or so, then look for a small cairn on the left . This marks the start of a faint path aiming east uphill. Alas the path doesn't last, but terrain underfoot is of grass and is easy-going.

Climb around 150m while travelling eastwards and reach the flat and most likely soggy ground north of Cruach Innse. Gradually turn southwards and hike up Cruach Innse's northern shoulder.

Higher up faint traces of paths can be picked up, and once on Cruach Innse's flat summit plateau, a pleasant stroll leads to the small cairn on the top .

Leaving Cruach Innse's summit behind, aim initially south-east along the wide and flat summit plateau for around 500m or so. A small cairn is met, beyond which the ground falls away steeply south-east.

To avoid the steep ground beyond the cairn, turn south-west and descend grass-covered ground. As heather is encountered a faint path begins to appear which is traced southwards as it picks a route between rocks down to Bealach na Cruaiche .

The faint path becomes very vague as it crosses Bealach na Cruaiche then becomes more obvious as it begins to climb up Sgurr Innse's north-western shoulder.

The path travels between some boulderfields, turns briefly south before climbing some steep rocky ground to reach the base of a cliff. Turn sharp left here, scramble up some loose terrain to reach easier grass and heather-covered ground from where the path can be followed to the summit of Sgurr Innse . A small pile of stones sitting on rock marks the highest point.

The descent down the other side of Sgurr Innse is also rough and a bit of try-and-see might be needed to find the best route.

From Sgurr Innse's summit, I aimed down the south-western shoulder following a path, dropped a bit, then turned south-east to avoid rocky steep ground on the crest. Contouring westwards, I returned to the crest which I more-or-less stuck to for the rest of the descent.

Down to Bealach an Sgurr , the ground is soggy and undulating, but a faint path can be picked up and followed up onto the northern shoulder of Stob Coire Easain.

The path becomes more obvious as it gains height and wanders through scree. When the path begins to twist and turn, that's an indication you're nearly on the summit of Stob Coire Easain .

The route to Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin begins by descending a path through screes and blocks eastwards. As height is lost, the terrain underfoot becomes more pleasant and the bealach between the Munro summits is reached.

The climb up the eastern side of the bealach is similar, climbing some grass to reach boulderfield higher up. The wide bouldery expanse of Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin's summit plateau is reached where an untidy cairn rests marking the top .

Retace your steps down to the bealach between Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin and Stob Coire Easain .

Decision time ! A path heading northwards can be followed down into Coire Easain Beag, from where rough heathery-clad ground is bounded over to contour arouund the northern shoulder of Stob Coire Easain. The undulating ground of Bealach an Sgurr is again reached.

Alternatively, head back up Stob Coire Easain and retrace your route back downhill to Bealach an Sgurr . I'd prefer this option, particularly if weather is fine giving a chance to savour views again.

From Bealach an Sgurr , head south-west picking up some ATV tracks to make a beeline for Leacach Bothy .

Pick up the estate track by the bothy and follow it northwards for 4km back to Corriechoille.