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 November 4:

Dun Deardail and Sgorr Chalum, Glen Nevis

A walk to the well known site of an iron age vitrified fort, followed by a climb to a splendid but rarely visited viewpoint over Glen Nevis.

Park at Glen Nevis Visitor Centre NN122729. Head S on the main road for about 400m and turn W on to the WHW. Follow it up between the fields on to a forest track. Still on the WHW head S on the forest track, taking the right fork. The track rises gradually for about 1.5km, then zig-zags up steeply.

At the high point where the WHW continues downhill, turn left and follow the path up to Dùn Deardail. From here head SE down over rough ground to a broad col at NN128698. Climb the N ridge of Sgorr Chalum to its summit at 556m. Continue S on the high ground for about 400m then descend into Coire Riabhach, following a SE course. Cross the Allt a’Choire Riabhach, then its tributary, to reach a stile at NN132681. Climb over and follow the path beyond down to the forestry track. Turn SE and follow the track down to a large hairpin bend. Locate a footpath which follows the Allt a’ Choire Dheirg down to Achriabhach. Transport required, 6Km from start.

Grade: M; distance: 9km; height to climb: 599m; map(s): LR41, EX392. Meet at Fort William WM at 9.20am, for start of walk at 9.30am. Leader: Fiona Wild 07879 495165.

Thursday November 8: Meall Lighiche, Glen Coe

An interesting hidden Corbett which makes a fine winter walk with good views of the surrounding Munros.

Start at Achnacon from the CP on the A82, just E of the bridge over the Allt na Muidhe, NN120563. Re-cross the bridge, (beware of fast-moving traffic), and follow the track S into Glen Leac na Muidhe. Cross the river soon after the track ends at a gate and climb S up the shoulder of Creag Bhan, 719m. Soon after, the ground narrows to a ridge curving W and rising to the summit of Meall Lighiche, 772m. Retrace steps E for 600m, then turn SE and descend to Bealach Easan. Some fence-posts may assist navigation in poor visibility. Turn NE and descend in to Gleann Leac na Muidhe and cross the main burn, following it N. Pick up the path and follow it to the gate at the head of the farm track. Follow the track back to the start.

Grade: M+; distance: 12km; height to climb: 730m; map(s): LR41, EX384. Meet at Glencoe village car park at 9.30am, for start of walk: 9.45am. Leader: Andrew Gilbert 07808 924722.

NEVIS HILLWALKING CLUB

Full walk details at www.nevis hillwalking.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 November 3: Meall Glas, Glen Lochay

The ascent route is described in Noel William’s book Scrambles in Lochaber, route 3.

Park at the end of the public road in Glen Lochay and follow the track W as far as Batavaime. Cross the river Lochay (bridge marked on map) and ascend the N ridge of Meall Glas to its summit. Head E on the summit ridge over the 908m point and NE to Beinn Cheathaich, 937m. An easy descent can be made from here down the N ridge to pick up a track back to Lubchurran and the river Lochay. To continue to Sgiath Chuil, descend E down to a bealach then up the steep grassy slopes to Meall a’ Churain and along the ridge S to the summit of Sgiath Chuil. Descend the N ridge until past the steep crags then cross the burn and pick up the track to Lubchurran. (15km, 850m ascent / 18km, 1200m ascent)

Suggested by Toril Frantzen, Robert Paterson and Chris Tracey; coordinated by Gerry Gilbert.