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 March 8
Oude Dam and Pass of Melfort Kilmelford
A forest walk to the head of Loch Melfort and back through the Pass of Melfort, passing two archaeological sites.
Start from the N side of the bridge that carries the A816 over the River Oude, NM855166, where parking is available. Take the forest track SW on the N side of loch. Visit the Cave at An Sidhean, NM840147, where evidence of flint tool making was discovered. Continue down to the Timeshare Complex at Melfort, NM838141, and on to the public road at the head of Loch Melfort. Cross the bridge over the River Oude and follow the road S along the shore. Turn left at the Hall and visit the Cairn at NM844127 where a cist was discovered.
Head N through a ride in Cuilfail Wood to a track and follow it to a junction, turning left before the main road.
Head NW, passing the end of Loch nan Druimnean and turn right at NM841139. Follow track N to the black gate beside main road. Turn left and follow track below main road, throught the Pass of Melfort and up to the Oude Dam. Ascend on a short path to the main road and follow it along the E side of loch back to the start.
Grade: L; Distance: 13km; Height to climb: 220m; Map(s): LR55, EX359. Meet at Longsdale car park, Oban at 10am for start of walk at 10.30am. Leader: Alison Guest 01852316266 or 07562 874991.
Sunday March 11
Ben Vorlich and Stuc a’ Chroin Lochearnhead
Two classic Munros at the edge of the highlands with distant views of the lowlands to the south.
Start on the lochside road near the entrance to Ardvorlich Estate at NN632232, where parking is available. Head S on the estate road and follow the directions past the buildings to reach the path that climbs steadily S in Glen Vorlich. Fork right at NN630218 and continue on the path to the summit of Ben Vorlich, 985m. Descend W and follow a line of fence posts down to Bealach an Dubh Choirein.
Beyond this col stands the rocky buttress of Stuc a’Chroin’s N Top. It is possible to scramble up the rock directly to its summit. The scramble can be avoided on a small path that leads S on the E side of the crags to NN619179.
From this point, climb steeply SW on grass and scree to reach the crest of the summit ridge at NN619178. The main summit of Stuc a’Chroin, 975m, lies 350m to the S. Return N and continue to the cairn at the summit of the N buttress, 951m. Turn W and descend along the rim of Coire Fuadarach to about 850m alt, then turn N down the slope into the corrie. Follow the path leading horizontally across the W face of Ben Vorlich, around the foot of its NW ridge and across Coire Buidhe to rejoin the ascent route eventually, at about NN629199. Follow the outward route back to the start.
Grade: S; Distance: 14km; Height to climb: 1160m; Map(s): LR51/57, EX365/368. Meet at Longsdale car park, Oban, at 8am or Glencoe village car park at 8.15am for start of walk at 9.30am. Leader: Toril Frantzen 07788 264007.
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 March 10 Binnein Mor,
Na Gruagaichean, Kinlochleven
Follow the path from the edge of the car park marked for Loch Eilde Mor.
The path climbs steeply through trees and crosses the moor until it eventually reaches a vehicle track. Turn left here very briefly before turning right again to continue in the original direction on another stalkers path. The path crosses a stream and climbs around the southern flank of Sgurr Eilde Beag. Continue on the stalkers path, passing beneath the steep east face and crossing the north flank of Sgurr Eilde Beag before heading up to the ridge in a wide zig-zag.
Turn right up the broad ridge to the minor summit at 1062m. From here you can see the ridge running out to Binnein Mor to the north. Follow this ridge northward to reach the summit of Binnein Mor. Return south to the 1062m minor summit. This time, follow the narrowing ridge southwest down to a bealach and then reascend to Na Gruagaichean. From here follow the easier south ridge then descend southwest down rough, pathless ground to return to the track. Turn right along this until a path cutting down on the left leads back down to the woods around the Grey Mare’s Tail, and Kinlochleven.
Distance: 14km; Height to climb: 1300m. Suggested and coordinated by John Burton.