Groban and Beinn Bheag

Start point heading to Loch a' Bhraoin

Around 12km south of Ullapool, the A832 branches off the main A835 at Braemore junction. This road climbs over moorland and drops to Dundonnell at the southern tip of Little Loch Broom and continues on toward Gairloch.

Around 6km west of Braemore Junction, the A832 sweeps past some forestry, turns north-west and climbs uphill. There is the head of an estate track by the forestry, just west of which is a parking area with room for around 10 vehicles. There is more parking further up the road.

Looking along Loch a' Bhraoin to Groban and Beinn Bheag

From the parking area, head back downhill towards the top of the estate track, beside which is a right-of-way sign pointing to Loch a' Bhraoin.

Follow this track past forestry until a split in the track is met, not marked on the OS maps. To the left is a bridge and the recently diverted route through forestry and onward to the Fannichs, straight on is to the ruins of an estate lodge with boat-house and to the right is the diverted right-of-way to Loch a' Bhraoin.

Take the right fork and head down to Loch a' Bhraoin's shoreline, then follow the estate track as it travels westwards above the northern banks of the loch.

After cycling for around 5km along the shoreline track, with the twin Fionas of Groban and Beinn Bheag in view ahead for much of the way, the house and shed at Lochivraon are reached. Beyond the buildings the track fades into a path, which continues for a further kilometre before turning below a shieling . Bikes are best left here.

Lochivraon

Lochivraon

Groban from the Abhainn Loch a' Bhraoin

From the bikes, the Abhainn Loch a’ Bhraoin is crossed and a steady line is taken over pleasant, grassy ground aiming south-west. The gradient gradually increases, though never excessively, and a small burn is crossed to reach a flat, grass-covered area before the final pull to the top.

On Groban's summit looking to A' Chailleach in the Fannichs

On Groban's summit looking to A' Chailleach in the Fannichs

Sun on Beinn Bheag with Fisherfield behind seen from Groban

From Groban’s summit, the route continues north-west. A few patches of boulderfield are crossed, but overall the descent to Bealach Gorm is straightforward and mostly grassy.

Crossing the damp col, crags directly above make a direct line impracticable, so a rising traverse slightly left (south) is taken up steep grassy slopes. These lead onto the flat summit plateau of Beinn Bheag .

Near Beinn Bheag's summit, weird section of wall

Near Beinn Bheag's summit, weird section of wall

From Beinn Bheag's slopes, looking over Loch an Nid to An Teallach

A line of old iron fence posts crosses part of Beinn Bheag’s summit plateau and is followed briefly eastwards. These posts link to the remains of a wall heading north, which points the route downhill.

Having lost about 50m of height, another flat area is reached, and from its western edge perhaps the best views of the whole route are enjoyed.

Heading north-east, a delightful grassy slope is descended, following a small burn for a short distance before dropping to the Allt a’ Bhealaich Ghuirm . Keeping beside this burn, the outward path above the Abhainn Loch a’ Bhraoin is regained and followed for around a kilometre back to the waiting bikes.

Descending north-eastwards from Beinn Bheag

Descending north-eastwards from Beinn Bheag