Inner Hebrides
20km/12½ miles 8-9 hours
1 NR671928 From the road end continue north-east along the track until, after 1km, you'll come to a chain across it
(NR676943). Turn left, heading north-west across open country following all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tracks across the boggy ground. Descend a little and cross a couple of burns – the ATV tracks are indistinct at times, so keep map and compass handy.
2 NR668948 After crossing another, larger, burn, follow the ATV tracks north-west as the ground rises a little. Shortly, the track levels and comes to an open area; continue for 100m then bear left along an ATV track which soon climbs the shoulder of a low ridge to the west. The track leads above the northern end of Loch a’ Gheoidh and then drops to the northern tip of Loch Doire na h-Achlaise
(NR656961). Climb to contour around the flank of Clachaig Mheadhoin, then cross a spur to bear left and descend steeply through bracken. The gradient eases as the path bends right, levels out and heads north-west into Glen Garrisdale. The track is less distinct as it crosses a boggy area before turning left and descending to a metalled path, which makes for a gap in a drystone wall.
3 NR645966 Head north-west, across open ground, making for the gap in the wall. Two trees stand by a ford with stepping-stones across the Glengarrisdale River
(NR644968), 100m south-east of the white-walled and red-roofed bothy. If the river is in spate, follow the riverbank around to its outflow on the beach, 300m to the north-east. From the bothy, head north-east across open ground to the shore. Cross the outflow of the Glengarrisdale River at the beach then follow animal tracks through the bracken above the rocky shoreline. Cross a raised beach and follow tracks through rugged terrain beneath the glacial cliffs. Continue along the raised shore platform to the small bay at Bagh Feith a‘ Chaorainn. Cross the burn flowing out to the bay and climb onto the glacial cliffs to avoid a rocky stretch of shoreline. Rejoin the shore platform, continuing around to the sandy beach at Bagh Uamh nan Giall by the rocky promontory of Garbh Aird.
4 NR663986 The east side of the bay is flanked by cliffs and the rocky ridge climbing to the summit of Sgorr Mhor. Work your way around the bay and carry on along the shore platform into Bagh Uamh Mhor. Continue around the bay, crossing a couple of burns and over large pebbles to arrive at the foot of a shallow, grassy gully.
5 NR673997 Follow animal tracks up this gentle slope, which levels as it crosses the foot of Beinn nan Capull. After 50m the gully descends to the shore platform; go through the bracken and rocky terrain flanking Glentrosdale Bay and descend with care to reach the beach at the head of the bay. Cross the burn flowing out into the bay following deer paths upstream through Glen Trosdale. The path becomes more distinct as it continues up through the glen alongside the Glentrosdale River.
6 NR687994 After 1km the glen opens out – where it becomes Gleann nam Muc – so follow the course of the river as it bends south-east. The wooded flanks of Liath-dhoire Mhor and Liath-dhoire Bheag will be on your right. Keep to the left side of the river and you‘ll pick up an ATV track – follow this as it trends south. On reaching a wooded area, follow the left-hand branch of the burn – the right-hand branch is the Glentrosdale River descending through the wooded gully. Climb steadily, following the ATV track beside the burn. This goes on to bend southwest, before it contours southwards around the western flank of Cnoch Loch Losguinn. To the west rises the eastern flank of Cruach na Seilcheig across the bealach (pass) at the heads of Glen Trosdale and Gleann Dorch.
7 NR690978 The track continues past Loch Losguinn and along the flank of Beul Leathad before descending into Gleann Dorch, and then emerging at the Kinuachdrachd–Ardlussa track road alongside a wooden shed. Turn right along the track road and follow it south-west for 4km to return to the parking area at the start.