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 October 21: Am Bathach and Ciste Dhubh, Loch Cluanie These hills have fine airy ridges that together make an unforgettable expedition in magnificent surroundings. The W face of Ciste Dhubh is remarkably steep.

Start from the A87 1.5km E of the Cluanie Inn at NH087120, where ample roadside parking is available. Head E to a gate just before the bridge over the Allt a’ Chaorainn Mhoir. Follow the stalkers path beside the forested area, now clear-felled, up the SE ridge of Am Bathach. The path becomes indistinct, but stay on the ridge to the summit at 798m. Descend the NW ridge to the Bealach a’ Choinich. Climb N steeply up the grassy slope to reach a rocky outcrop, and follow the ridge up to An Cnapach, 877m. The narrow ridge continues N for another 800m, rising to the summit of Ciste Dhubh, 979m. Return by the outward route to Bealach a’ Choinich. Head ENE and follow the Allt Coire Fhearchair down in to An Caorann Mor to reach the path and a good track S to the A87 just E of the bridge.

Grade: S; distance: 14km; height to climb: 1101m; map(s): LR33, EX414. Meet at For William WM at 8.20am, for start of walk at 9.30am. Leader: Stephen Mardon 07522 956789. Thursday October 25: Meall na Cruaidhe, Kinlochleven A walk into the wild land on the fringes of the vast Rannoch Moor and a grand view of the century-old hydro scheme still producing green energy.

Start in Kinlochleven at the Grey Mare’s Tail car park, NN187622. Follow the path that leads to the waterfall for approximately 200m. At a junction, (NN188623), take a right fork and climb the good path heading northeast across the slopes of Meall an Doire Dharaich to reach the track at NN208634 which leads to Loch Eilde Mor. Follow the track east for 0.5km then right fork on to a good path leading to a small dam at the pipeline intake. Over the dam, turn left on to a fair path south of Loch Eilde Mor. The path climbs gradually E, diverging from the loch and after about 3.5km, arrives on the spur of Meall na Cruaidhe, 1.75km SSW of the lonely Corbettt summit of Glas Bheinn, 222m higher up. Unless Corbett-bagging, descend SW on rough undulating ground to reach the pipeline where it crosses the Allt Coire na Duibhe. Follow the pipeline as it contours around the hillside – it’s easier to walk on the pipe, rather than the path on its left side. At NN210613, descend W on a path that zig-zags down to join the Ciaran Path leading back to Kinlochleven.

Grade: M; distance: 15km; height to climb: 570m; map(s): LR42, EX384. Meet at: Glencoe village car park at 9.15am, North Ballachuilish PS at 9.10am for start of walk: 9.30am. Leader: Graham Innes 01631 562290 or 07767 714503.

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 October 20: Stob Dearg/Taynuilt Peak, Ben Cruachan Start from the car park in Inverawe Country Park, 800m NE of the mokery, at NN028319. Head NE on the track until it emerges from the forest at the shore of Loch Etive. Leave the track, head SE across rough ground, cross a fence and climb a steep, uneven slope to the summit of Meall Copagach, 660m.

Turning S, continue climbing to the summit of Meall nan Each, 906m. Turn SE and descend about 100m to a col with several small lochans. Continue SE and climb the slope to the summit of Stob Dearg, the W Top of Cruachan known as the Taynuilt Peak. Descend SE another 100m to a col and climb the ridge to the summit of Ben Cruachan. Head S down the ridge to the Bealach an Lochain at the head of Coire Dearg. Climb S to the summit of Meall Cuanail, 918m. Leave heading SE, soon curving S following the fence line down to its intersection with a track at NN070260. Head E on the track down to the dam. Descend the staircase to reach the track below the dam and follow it across the bridge over the Allt Cruachan. Locate the start of the path that leads S on the E side of this river and follow it over a stile and down through woodland to the railway. Pass under the railway at Falls of Cruachan Station to reach the A85 main road.

(14km, 1500m ascent) Suggested by Gavin Theobald; coordinated by John Burton.