Beinn Dearg Hills
The Beinn Dearg Hills near Ullapool are a wonderful mixture of wild walking and dramatic scenery. Each summit is quite different and the impressive Coire Granda is a phenomenal sight. You can enjoy backpacking through these beautiful hills, but we will explore them over 3 days.
Beinn Dearg, Cona’Mheall, Meall nan Ceapraichean & Eididh nan Clach Geala
A classic day out starting at the walkers car park at Inverlael. The route heads out allong forest tracks to begin with as it leads into the beautiful Gleann na Squaib. Here it turns into a stalkers path that snakes it’s way up the glen with stunning views ahead. After fording a couple of streams the upper glen really is breathtaking. Follwing the streamline we climb up passing some wonderful glaciated scenery to reach the Bealach an Lochain Uaine. This a wonderful location and we will pass through it several times.
Firstly we head up the steep bouldery ground beside the famine or destitution wall of Beinn Dearg. It is quite the structure and turns sharply before the summit to head along the northwest ridge. The highest point of the Beinn Dearg hills gives fantastic views of the Fannichs, Fisherfield and An Teallach immediately to the south. It’s sometimes hard to leave!
We return to Bealach an Lochain Uaine and head out through rough ground to climb Cona’Mheall. This is a deceptive summit with broad boulderfields on the climb to a lovely cliff edge to the summit. Then it’s back to the bealach and out onto Meall nan Ceapraichean. A relatively short climb over boggy then bouldery slopes. The views of Beinn Dearg from this summit are simply wonderful.
Our route heads over the bouldery summit of Ceann Garbh before taking a rough descent to the next bealach. From here it’s steady climb mainly on grass to reach the final summit of the day. Eididh nan Clach Geala has some incredible views north towards the peaks Assynt. It’s a great place to enjoy a rest to take in the views. The descent is down the west ridge before dropping steeply onto a branch of the stalkers path along Gleann na Squaib. Once on the path the going is easier and the long walk back finishes off a classic mountain day.
Distance: 26km Ascent: 1600m Time: 8-11hrs
Seana Bhraigh
We will meet up at Oykell bridge for this walk and take a couple of vehicles up to a different car park. If we bring bikes then we can make this walk significantly easier too. It’s good estate tracks all the way into Corriemulzie and along the river. The views of Seana Bhraigh are spectacular with the pointed summit of An Sgurr round to the Munro summit looking sharp above Luchd Choire. We ford a couple of streams along the way, but when the track fords the main river we take less substantial one. It heads uphill and then becomes faint weaving line as we climb up the boggy lower slopes.
As we gain height we pick up the north ridge of Sean Bhraigh and get spectacular views into Luchd Choire. The gullied hillside of An Sgurr and Creag an Duine really draw the eye. These are optional extras time permitting. It’s a steep and rocky ridge up the the airy summit shelter and beautiful views in every direction. When we are ready we retrace our ascent route and head back out to the cars. The Oykel Bridge Hotel makes a great stop for a meal or a drink once we’re back.
Distance: 25km Ascent: 800m Time: 7-10hrs
Am Faochagach
Our final walk of the trip will require a wade accross the Abhainn a’Gharbhrain so sandals will be necessary! Its a boggy walk from the car park by the weather station at Loch Glascarnoch. Once over it we head over some rough and boggy groudn to pick up a walkers path that heads up the hill. It brings us out on a gentle ridge with intermittent vehicle tracks. The walking is easy and we stay on the high ground all the way to the summit for some good views of the Beinn Dearg Hills. Retracing our route back down and over the river to complete much easier hill day.
Distance: 14km Ascent: 700m Time: 4-6hrs
£225
Group size is limited to a maximum of 6 people. To book your place on this walk please read my booking information and complete a booking form using the button below.