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 January 13:
Gearr Aonach and Coire Gabhail, Glen Coe A delightful, easy scramble up the nose of Gearr Aonach followed by a switchback ridge and descent through the ‘lost valley’ Coire Gabhail.
Park at the Glencoe Viewpoint car park at NN170568. Head off SE and follow the path down to cross the River Coe on a bridge just below the Meeting of Three Waters. The path rises to a point where it enters the gorge cut by the Allt Coire Gabhail. Take the right fork, which is indistinct at first due to erosion, and scramble up easily. Follow the path SW for about 150m to WP NN169559.
Leave the path and head W up a grassy slope towards the foot of the nose of Gèarr Aonach to reach the start of a path at WP NN168560. This zig-zags up the cliffs. At each turn of the path, there is a short but easy scramble, none of which is exposed. The path leads to the top of the spur overlooking Glen Coe. Head up SW to the summit of Gèarr Aonach, 692m, and continue to a small plateau at the foot of the NE ridge of Stob Coire nan Lochan at NN156551.
From here, a broad ramp leads down SW below the crags on the right, and above the crags on the left. The route crosses a stony couloir and continues a descending traverse until the crags on the left give way to a steep grassy hillside. Continue the traverse to reach a burn at about NN154544 and follow it down to the Coire Gabhail path below. Follow this out NE to join the outward route back to the A82.
Grade: M+; distance: 7km; height to climb: 674m; map(s): LR41, EX384. Meet at Glencoe village car park at 9.15am, for start of walk at 9.30am. Leader: Ian Moir 07973 836498. Thursday January 17:
Old Inverlochy Castle to Nevis Range, Fort William A walk from the town to the ski centre, and back by a different route.
Start from the CP just E of Inverlochy Castle at NN121754. Walk back to the A82 and cross opposite the entrance to the aluminium smelter. Cross the railway on the approach to the factory then fork left on a track to pass around the perimeter of the works on the N side. Follow the track E until it passes under the power lines, then take the right fork and climb up the hill to the surge chamber track. Follow this NE and cross the Allt a’ Mhuilinn. Head S for 150m, then turn NE again and follow the cycle tracks to the Aonach Mor SC.
Leave the CP at its NW corner, cross the burn on a bridge and follow the track W to Torlundy. Join the minor public road and continue over the railway and cross the A82 into the housing scheme. Follow the road SW to pass W of the Inverlochy Castle Hotel and continue on a track that rejoins the A82 at Inverlochy Castle Fm. Cross the main road to reach the cycle track and follow it W to the Lochy Bridge roundabout. Cross the roundabout and rejoin the cycle track alongside the River Lochy, which leads back the start.
Grade: L; distance: 14km; height to climb: 250m; map(s): LR41, EX392. Meet at Fort William WM at 9.45am, for start of walk at 10am. Leader: Denise Jones 07823 779713 or 01397 772768.
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 January 12:
Fraoch Bheinn, Sgurr Mhurlagain, Loch Arkaig Two Corbetts easily accessed from Strathan at the head of Loch Arkaig. Do one, or both if you are quick enough on a short winter’s day.
Start from the end of the public road at the head of Loch Arkaig, NM987916, where limited parking is available. Head W on the track into Glen Dessarry for 1km. At NM978916, just W of the Dearg Allt, turn N up a path and follow it up towards the S ridge of Fraoch Bheinn. Continue up to the summit, 858m. Turn E and descend steep rough ground to reach a broad col at NM994937, 458m. A path leads SW from the col down to the track in Glen Dessarry. For the 2nd Corbett, continue E up the flank of the SW ridge of Sgurr Mhurlagain to its crest. Turn NE and head up to the summit. Return to the col and descend SW on the path to the track in Glendessary. Head E back to the start.
1st Corbett 9km, 798m ascent; both Corbetts 14km, 1220 ascent. Suggested and coordinated by Jane Ollerenshaw.