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
Saturday October 12, Ben Vane, Strathyre.
A82 S to Crianlarich which then becomes the A84 S to Callander.
At the Mhor 84 hotel just after Balquhidder Station, take the B road W to the village of Balquhidder, cross S over Loch Voil and park at Ballinluig NN538201 – take the forest track S through Glen Buckie to Ballimore, cross over the river Allt Fathan Glinne, then turn SW, and then directly S on a good stalker’s path to NN519149 and climb steeply E to the N ridge of Ben Vane at 821m. One could return by the same route or continue S to the summit of Stuc Dubh at 662 m and then due E to a spot at 713m, and then on to Ardnandave Hill at 715m, go round the crags and pick up the Rob Roy Way beside Loch Lubnaig and head N to Strathyre. Transport required
Grade: M+. Distance: 14km. Maps: LR57 and EX365. Meet at: Glencoe Car Park 8.30am. Start of Walk 10am. Leader: Ann Jones 07770 434114.
Thursday October 17, Banavie to Torcastle / Cow Hill, Fort William.
Two walks in day – am walk Banavie to Torcastle and back – pm Cow Hill from GlenNevis.
Am is a flat walk along the Caledonian Canal from Banavie, then underneath the canal to the ‘castle’ ruins by the river. Back along Banquo’s walk.
Pm: Start walk at Braveheart CP in Glen Nevis NN123729. Take forest track S to the Peat Track and then turn right up Peat Track to the circular route round Cow Hill. Take track on the right to mast at the top of Cow Hill. Return by upward route.
Grade: L. Distance: am 5 km, pm 6 km. Height: am, little; pm, 300m. Maps: LR 41, EX 392. Meet at: am – The Moorings Car Park NN113770 at 10am; pm – Ranger’s Car Park 1pm. Leader: Fiona Wild 07879 495165.
NEVIS HILLWALKING CLUB
Full walk details at www.nevishillwalking.club. If anyone would like to go on a walk, contact club secretary Suzanne Theobald on 01397 701783 or email enquiries@nevishillwalking.club
Sunday October 13, Beinn a’ Bheithir, Sgorr Bhan, Sgorr Dhearg, Sgorr Dhonuill, Ballachulish.
Beinn a’ Bheithir is a stand-alone mountain range in a commanding position over land and sea at the junction of two spectacular sea-lochs.
It consists of a long curving ridge enclosing five N-facing corries. This route traverses the entire massif.
Start from Ballachulish TIC, NN083584. Head S through the village, over the river Laroch, up past the primary school and through the farm gates. Continue on the track leading up into Gleann an Fhiodh.
Soon after passing a gate, find a small cairn and an indistinct path on the right and follow it up the northeast ridge of Sgorr Bhan. The ridge narrows and steepens further up, with some easy scrambling, to reach the summit of Sgorr Bhan 947m. Continue along the ridge to the main summit, Sgorr Dhearg 1024m. Descend SW to the col at NN048554, 757m. Continue W, climbing steeply up the ridge to the summit of the second Munro, Sgorr Dhonuill 1001m. Descend WSW along the rim of Coire Dearg, curving NW up to a Corbett Top, 824m. Continue over the undulating high ground, never far from the crest of the steep escarpment dropping into Gleann a’ Chaolais. From the unnamed Graham Top, 758m, head NNE over Creag Ghorm turning NNW down the steep slope to a small building and aerial at the head of a forest track, NN033590. Head E down the track to the Glenachulish CP. Transport required, seven mins from start.
*A shorter descent, but no less interesting: From the summit of Sgorr Dhonuill, return E down the ridge to the 900m contour where it is possible to divert N on to the ridge leading to the Dragon’s Tooth. Hold mainly to its crest, avoiding a difficult scramble by a path on the E side. Descend N down the nose to the top of a prominent steep grassy ramp at NN0450956400. This leads down to the right to reach the floor of the coire. Cross the river and up E a short way to a well worn path. Follow this N, down through the trees to forest tracks which lead down through the glen to the Glenachulish CP. Transport required, seven mins from start. 17km, 1441m ascent *12km, 1300m ascent Suggested and coordinated by Toril Frantzen.