THIS WEEK’S WALKS

LOCHABER AND LORN RAMBLERS

The walk leader is to be contacted beforehand for meet-up and start times. Car sharing usually possible and people can try before they buy. Further information at www. lochaberandlorn-ramblers.org. uk. Lochaber and Lorn Ramblers Group can be contacted by email on info@lochaberandlorn-ramblers.org.uk.

Thursday February 22 Sgor Eilde Beag circuit, Kinlochleven

A walk into high and wild country but entirely on paths with no steep upward gradients.

Grandstand views of Mamores and Glen Coe hills.

Park at the Grey Mare’s Tail car the park NN187622. Follow the path that leads to the Waterfall for approximately 200m. At a junction, NN187623, keep right and shortly after fork left across a burn. Climb the path heading NE through trees on a ridge. Emerging from the trees, follow the path across the slopes of An Cumhann to reach the Loch Eilde Mor track at NN208634.

Cross the track leading to Loch Eilde Mor and continue NE up the path towards Coire an Lochain. The path turns N and levels out as it passes W of the large lochan. At the junction at NN221656, turn W on a path that climbs up gradually into the corrie and zig-zags up its headwall to the col 300m W of Sgor Eilde Beag. Head E to reach its summit, 956m. Descend gently SSE for 300m until the ground steepens. Locate a narrow path which zig-zags down the steep nose and turns NE to rejoin the outward path at NN222649. Follow this S then SW back to the Loch Eilde Mor track.

Turn W on to the track and follow it for 1.2Km to a gate giving access to the path at NN198633.

Follow the path W down to a junction, turning left, S, crossing two burns then descending to another junction below a power line. Turn left and follow the path down past the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall.

At the foot of the hill, the path crosses a burn by a bridge where a short diversion downstream may be made to view the falls from below. Return to the bridge and follow the path back to the CP.

Grade: M+; Distance: 13km; Height to climb: 950m; Map(s): LR41, EX392. Meet at Glencoe village car park at 8.40am for start of walk at 9am. Leader: Andrew Gilbert 07808 924722.

Sunday February 25 Achriabhach to Steall Ruin, Glen Nevis

A walk through a scenic gorge to a delightful meadow, alpine in character. High mountains all round and spectacular rivers and waterfalls.

Start from the Lower Falls CP, NN144683. Head N to view the falls from the road bridge. Pass through the gate on the S side of the River Nevis and follow the path E for 1.5Km to the footbridge at NN158684. Cross the river and take the public road up to its end at the Upper Falls CP. Head E on the footpath through the wooded gorge high above the Water of Nevis.

The path crosses a burn on some noticeably red rock. 130m further on at NN172693, a rather narrower path forks left and leads up the steep, wooded slope to emerge at a grassy platform below the crags on the southwest flank of Meall Cumhann, altitude 288m. This affords a fine view of the meadow and the spectacular Steall Falls.

The path continues SE and winds down to rejoin the main path beside the Water of Nevis where it enters the gorge. Follow this to the Wire Bridge but stay on the north side of the river and continue to Steall Ruins, following the path along its bank. To return, follow the main path back to the Upper Falls CP. Either retrace steps to the start or follow the public road back to the Lower Falls CP.

Grade: L; Distance: 10km; Height to climb: 233m; Map(s): LR41, EX392. Meet at Fort William Woollen Mill at 10.30am. Start of walk at 10.45am. Leader: Gerry Gilbert 07765 830203.

NEVIS HILLWALKING CLUB Please see full walk details at www.nevishillwalking.club. If anyone would like to go out on the walk please contact club secretary Suzanne Theobald on 01397 701783 or email enquiries@nevishillwalking.club.

Saturday February 24 Stob Coir’ an Albannaich, Meall nan Eun

Cross the River Etive, then take the track north to the bridge over the Allt Ceitlein. Head SE on to the NW ridge of Beinn Chaoraich following the ridge round to the summit of Stob Coir’ an Albannaich. From the summit, descend E for less than ½ km, and turn NNW steeply down, then ENE over Meall Tarsuinn to Meall nan Eun. Descend NW to the north side of the Allt Ceitlein and back to the start.

Distance: 17km; Height climb: 1,400m. Suggested co-ordinated by Fiona Wild. to and