Walk Details
Starting from the Ballachulish Hotel, this is a challenging hill walk that you need to allow a day to do. Be warned – across this walk you will climb over 1300m, some of it quite steep with the need to possibly do some scrambling.
This is a circular walk that we’re doing in a counterclockwise direction – you are welcome to walk clockwise if you wish though!
From the hotel we head south and into Glenachulish forest and work our way through the trees, climbing steadily upwards.
The walk summits two Munros – the first is Sgòrr Dhònuill. The first section of the climb to the summit is a grassy slope but after a brief gentle section it does become increasingly rocky. The final ascent looks intimidating – but actually only involves a very simple scramble (though be careful as the path is exposed at one point. Enjoy the view from the summit – before it’s time to retrace your steps back down to the grassy slope and we then head onwards to our second Munro.
Sgòrr Dhearg is the highest of Beinn a’Bheithir’s summits at 1024m. When you reach the summit there a few remains left of the Ordnance Survey trip point that was once here. What there are though are fabulous views in all directions – including the great trough of Glen Coe, framed by the curving ridge which is where we’re headed next as we begin our descent.
Watch your step on this descent along the ridge and down into the valley where we enjoy a stroll along the flat for the first time in this walk! We follow the path, that turns into a track back into the village of Ballachulish. Here we take a left turn and then join the A82, following the banks of Loch Leven towards South Ballachulish. Just before the suspension bridge, take the steps down on your left hand side and you’ll find yourself back at the Ballachulish Hotel where their restaurant, Fish, serves up some absolutely delicious dishes to replenish you after your walk (they also offer a takeaway service!).
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