MUNRO-PACKED HORSESHOE
1 NN167691 Head out of the car park and along the path that leads into the woodlands, with the Water of Nevis occasionally visible on your right. The path starts off quite easy and becomes rocky and slippery in places as small waterfalls cross it at various points. The path follows around the cliff face and onto a wooden bridge/platform above the steep gorge below, which then opens out into a lush valley flanked by the summits.
2 NN175688 Follow the path towards the now visible Steall Falls that cascade down the cliffs ahead. As you approach a split in the track, take the right hand fork towards Steal ‘Bridge’. Balance is key here, as you will need to tiptoe across the wire bridge to reach the far side. (An alternative is to wade the river but it is not possible when the river is in spate.) Follow around to the Steall Hut and pick up on the often boggy track that leads you past the base of Steall falls.
3 NN182683 Once through the bog, a track will be visible to the right that climbs up a very steep incline. Take care, the path is well eroded and slippery in places. The path becomes more defined as you ascend and then begin to zigzag up the hillside, giving your legs a slight reprieve. The ascent doesn’t let up as it then climbs the grassy shoulder of the first summit, An Gearanach.
4 NN187669 From the summit, continue on the rocky ridge that links up to An Garbhanach. This section is quite exposed and there aren’t any shortcuts. The easiest way to traverse is to keep to the left before then ascending to the top. There is more scree and a very steep and uneven path before ascending again to Stob Coire a’Chairn. The next section is much easier as you head towards Am Bodach. The climb to the summit is very steep, rocky and loose in places. There is some easy scrambling near the top.
5 NN176650
Continue west on some loose trails with protruding rocks. Take care on the first section as it is quite easy to lose your footing. The route then rises to Sgor an lubhair before diverting north to follow the Devil’s Ridge. This section is very exposed and narrow in places, but has a well-worn path that is easy to follow. There is one tricky section of down climbing where care is needed, the alternative being a rather airy route over a narrowing section of rock that will likely have you on all fours. The rest of the ridge is mostly grassy as it reaches Sgurr A’Mhaim, the final Munro of the route.
6 NN164667 The best route from here is to head north-west down a zigzagging field of scree and sharp rocks, before gradually transitioning into a grassy and muddy path that sharply descends to the valley below. The route down is long and winding, before eventually leading to the Glen Nevis road.
7 NN145683 As the path meets the road, continue to the east, keeping the river between yourself and the road as you head back up towards your start point. After about 1.5km you will come across a small footbridge that leads you back to the road. Follow the road back to your start point of the car park.