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
Sunday September 9 Altnafeadh to Blackwater Dam, Glen Coe
A high cross-country walk to the longest dam in the Highlands and a century-old hydro scheme.
Grand views all round. Finish at the Ice Factor indoor ice and rock-climbing centre.
Start from the lay-by on the A82 at Altnafeadh, NN220563, where limited parking is available. Follow the WHW N up the Devil’s Staircase to the bealach and a large cairn at NN215576. Follow a path heading NE up to the summit of Beinn Bheag (616m). Continue NE, passing to the right of the crags, and descend to a watershed at NN 229591. Now go N to the flat summit of Meall Bad a’Bheithe (428m). Descend NE to the track and follow it E to the graveyard and the Blackwater Dam.
There are two routes available from here to Kinlochleven.
Route one: If the water of the reservoir is not overtopping the dam, it is possible to walk across it. Alternatively, one may cross below the dam. From the N end of the dam head W on the footpath, forking left where it crosses the pipeline and bifurcates after ½Km. Continue W on the path on the N side of the River Leven for about 6Km to a junction at NN1936619.
Turn left down to cross a bridge over the river, then continue W to the Ice Factor. In very wet weather, it may not be possible to cross the Allt Coire na Duibhe at NN226606. The second route does not cross the Dam.
Route two: Return along the track past the graveyard and continue W for 6Km to rejoin the WHW at the penstocks, NN201604. Descend on the track to the Ice Factor at Kinlochleven. Transport required. Buses at 1540 and 1740 to Glencoe, where a car should be left in the village CP to take driver(s) back to the start.
Grade: M; distance: 16kms; height to climb: 500m. Meet at Longsdale car park, Oban, at 8.45am of Glencoe village car park at 9.45am for start of walk at 10am. Leader: John Nicol 01852 300360.
Thursday September 13 Beinn na Caillich and Mam na Gualainn, Kinlochleven
The route starts with an impressive view of these hills rising steeply from the waters of Loch Leven, then a fine E to W traverse with grandstand views of the Glen Coe hills, the Mamores and across Loch Linnhe. Start from the Grey Mare’s Tail CP in Kinlochleven, NN187622. Head NW to join the main road, then fork right on to the WHW. Follow the path W up through pleasant woodland to reach a track at 250m alt. Continue W for about 1Km then leave the WHW, turning down SW on a path to cross the Allt Nathrach at a footbridge. Follow the path steeply uphill. It levels out at about 500m alt before steepening again up to the summit of Beinn na Caillich, 764m. Continue W on the path, which loses a little height before rising again to the summit of Mam na Gualainn, 796m. Descend W on easy slopes to a col, then turn S on the footpath down to the B863 E of Callert Ho. Transport required.
Grade: M+; distance: 10kms; height to climb: 900m. Meet at North Ballachulish school at 9.10am or Glencoe village car park at 9.15am for start of walk 9.30am. Leader: Ian Moir 07973 836498.
NEVIS HILLWALKING CLUB
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 September 8
Sgurr nan Coireachan, Garbh Chioch Mhor, Sgurr na Ciche, Loch Arkaig
From Strathan, head up the road past the remains of the Barracks. Follow the path, on the north side of Glen Dessary, above the forest. Cross the Allt Coire nan Uth and leave the path to go north up the steep ridge to Sgurr nan Coireachan.
To continue the traverse, go steeply WSW to the Bealach Coire nan Gall. Follow the drystane dyke west along a succession of outcrops over Garbh Chioch Bheag to the summit of Garbh Chioch Mhor. Keep following the dyke west then NNW to the col below Sgurr na Ciche. Zig-zag through the crags and boulders up to the summit of Sgurr na Ciche. To descend, return to the col, go SW towards Coire na Ciche, and traverse SE to the path in the Bealach an Lagain, and onwards to Strathan.
Distance: 24kms; height to climb: 1750ms. Suggested and coordinated by Chris Tracey.