Sgùrr a' Gharaidh and Glas Bheinn from Loch Carron

The A896 runs from the head of Loch Carron around Loch Torridon and on to Kinlochewe.

Above Lochcarron, the road climbs to a high point at around 150m, passing through a deer fence by a cattle grid where there is space for a few vehicles in narrow roadside parking - the route begins here.

There is further parking available in a decent layby around 400m east of the cattle grid.

On the north side of the road, by the deer fence, a track heads north. Passing a mast, it descends slightly to a gate in the fence, with an opening to the left (unlocked on my visit). Within forestry, the track trends eastwards before turning north to climb steadily to a junction around 1km from the start. Keeping to the main track, it turns westwards and continues, climbing gently beneath a craggy little hill to reach a ford on the Allt an Fhithich, around 3km from the start.

Just before the ford, the track is left and faint ATV tracks are followed northwards through a small birch plantation. These gradually fade, giving way to heathery, grassy and at times damp ground leading to another high deer fence . I couldn't find a gate or stile on my visit, so it had to be clambered over.

Beyond the fence, Sgùrr a' Gharaidh lies ahead, still over 2km distant across undulating terrain. Although uneven, the ground becomes easier with progress. Options lie to the left to detour over a couple of minor hills , each just under 600m. A more direct line to Sgùrr a' Gharaidh can be taken, passing a small lochan beneath it, where its rugged south-west face is reflected in calm conditions. As height is gained, views open westwards towards the Applecross hills.

Beyond the lochan, a line of old iron fence posts are passed, after which a climb over lumpy ground while weaving between minor rocky outcrops leads towards the summit, approaching it from the west.

Turning eastwards for the final pull, a short, steep climb up a grassy rake between crags leads to Sgùrr a' Gharaidh's summit crest, where a cairn standing on a rock slab marks the highest point. Views are extensive in all directions, with the Cuillin clearly visible beyond.

From Sgùrr a' Gharaidh's summit, the ground falls away into a lochan-studded landscape of knolls and shallow basins above north-facing crags. The tops of Glas Bheinn rise beyond. There is much choice in the line through this terrain and, although only around 2km away, the complexity makes progress feel longer. On the way, the grey rocky peaks of the Coulin are reflected in the pools.

The line of old iron posts is met again en route to Glas Bheinn's minor northern summit (706m) , where a small cairn stands above steep ground dropping northwards.

Turning south-east, a short descent to a lochan is followed by a brief climb to the main summit of Glas Bheinn , again marked by a small cairn. Around 400m to the south-west, a trig point stands on a slight rise, giving fine views over Loch Carron.

From the trig point, a descent can be made by picking a line south-west, weaving between knolls and rocky ground. The course of the Allt a' Chuirn is met, crossed at a convenient point, and followed downstream on its west bank.

The earlier deer fence is reached again close to where it crosses the river, beside a series of striking waterfalls . Some of these are particularly impressive, including one spilling over an overhang into a narrow gorge below.

After clambering over the fence, the burn is followed a little further before being left where it turns sharply south-eastwards, leaving a short hike back to the track by the woodland where it was left earlier, allowing an easy return to the start.