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

Saturday March 2:

Old Fort to Caledonian Canal, Fort William

An urban walk that follows the Great Glen Way from the town to the Caledonian Canal. Many points of interest and some wide-open views.

Start from the Old Fort opposite Morrison’s Supermarket at NN104743. There are long-stay CPs available in the vicinity. Head NE to the roundabout, then past Lochaber College. Continue NE alongside the River Lochy estuary and cross the bridge over the River Nevis at NN108746.

Turn immediately left on to a footpath and follow it NE between the river estuary and the housing estate to the footbridge adjacent to the railway bridge over the River Lochy. Pass under these bridges and visit the Old Inverlochy Castle just beyond. Return to the bridges and cross the river, turn left on to the B8006 and follow it to Caol.

The first left turn leads to the shore. Follow the shore NW to the sea-locks at the entrance of the Caledonian Canal. Head E along canal tow-path on its N side to the locks of Neptune’s Staircase. Continue NE along the canal tow-path on its N side to reach a junction with a path at NN121776. Follow the path down to the entrance to the Mount Alexander Aqueduct. The left tunnel carries the Allt Mor under the canal, the right tunnel is a footway for pedestrians. On emerging from the tunnel, locate a track a few metres downstream and follow it W up to the towpath on the S side of the canal. Continue W back to Neptune’s Staircase.

Cross this on a lock gate to reach the CP beside The Moorings Hotel. Transport required 10mins from start.

Distance: 9km; height to climb: 50m; map(s): LR41, EX392. Meet at Old Fort opposite Morrisons at 10.30am. Leader: Helen Critchley 01397 712346 or 07789 253701.

Thursday March 7: Tomdoun to Kingie by Druim na h-Achlaise, Glen Garry

An old road, built by Thomas Telford in 1821 connected Glen Garry with the Cluanie Inn. It was the old road to Skye. The section crossing the River Loyne on a stone arched bridge was flooded in 1957 when the Loyne Dam was completed. The bridge has been seen at low water levels.

Start at the telephone kiosk on the public minor road just W of the Tomdoun Hotel at NH154010.

Limited parking is available in the vicinity. Head NE along the Telford road for 3.5 Km to the shore of Loch Loyne. Head back for 150m then W up through a conifer planatation on a track to its boundary fence. Cross the fence and climb the E ridge of Druim na h-Achlaise to its summit, 540m. Head W across the plateau past some lochans, taking care to avoid marshy ground, and descend a little to locate a footpath at Mam na Seilg. Descend S to the public minor road and follow it SW for 1Km to Kingie. Take the track SE, past the power station and cross the River Garry on the Salmon Catch. Follow the footpath E in the conifer plantation and alongside the S bank of Loch Poulary for 2Km. Fork left onto a track and follow it across a bridge over the River Garry, turning N to reach the public minor road at Poulary, NH132014. Transport required 2Km from start.

Distance: 15km; height to climb: 400m; map(s): LR34, EX414. Meet at Fort William WM for start of walk at 10am. Leader: Andrew Gilbert 07808 924722.

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.

Sunday March 3:

Ben More, Stob Binnein, Crianlarich

These two classic hills dominate the area. This route is slightly longer, but less steep than the more popular one from Benmore Farm, and makes a splendid winter expedition.

Start at a small CP on the A85 just

W of the bridge over the Allt Coire Chaorach at NN454275. Take the path behind the CP and then the forest track heading SW. Turn left at the T-junction and follow the track SE to a large turning area. At WP NN456260, take the path on the right, waymarked, which leads up to emerge from the trees at WP NN457254. A faint path continues to a stile in the deer fence at WP NN458251. Follow the fence back NW to gain the NE ridge of Ben More. Continue up this ridge (rocky in places) to the summit, 1,174m. Descend S to Bealacheadar-dha Bheinn, 862m, and continue S up the long ridge to the summit of Stob Binnein, 1,165m. Return to the Bealach, then W down into Benmore Glen and pick up the track to Benmore Farm.

Transport required, five mins from start. 14km, 1297m ascent. Suggested by Gerry Gilbert; co-ordinated by Ken Stevenson