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Creag Ghuanach from Kinlochleven

Creag Ghuanach from Kinlochleven

Start/Finish

Grey Mares Waterfall car park, Kinlochleven. From bridge over River Leven, go N then take first right (signed Grey Mares Waterfall). At the end of this street there is a white church. Go right and the car park is almost immediately on the left. It seems no longer possible to drive to and park at Mamore Lodge.

Distance/Time

33 km.      About 10 – 11 hours

Peaks

Beinn nan Each, 531 m, NN 279 689.

Creag Ghuanach, 618 m, NN 299 690.     OS Sheet 41.

Introduction

This is not the usual approach to the Graham of Creag Ghuanach. It is usually climbed from the south end of Loch Treig starting at Corrour station which is a much shorter route. The Mamore Lodge track goes to Luibeilt after which ther is little in the way of paths. The return path along the north bank of the Abhainn Rath can be quite boggy as can the area around Luibeilt. The Abhainn Rath has to be crossed at Luibeilt and this is only possible in a sustained dry spell. There are fine view down Loch Leven. From Luibeilt onwards, there are fine views of Ben Nevis, Aonach Beag, Choinnichs, Grey Corries, Innses and Easains. Navigation from Luibeilt to Beinn nan Each and on to Creag Ghuanach will be challenging in mist. Save this walk for a clear day as the views are excellent.

Route

(1) Walk up the obvious signed footpath at the side of the car park. At the end of the path, go left signed for Grey Mares waterfall. Soon after. Leave this good path on a zig zag and go right on a fairly obvious path. Follow this for a few hundred metres until a left fork crosses an often dry and stony stream with a clear path climbing on the other side. Follow path uphill through the wood (path diverges in places) to emerge to the N of Meall an Doire Dharaich. The path levels off then descends slightly to reach a cairn by the main track from Mamores Lodge to Loch Eilde Mor. Follow the track E to Luibeilt past Loch Eilde Mor then Loch Eilde Beag. Cross the Abhainn Rath and walk to the bothy on the N side. From here, pick a way NE up grassy slopes to eventually reach a tiny cairn which marks the summit of Beinn nan Each, 531 m.

(2) Descend the NE ridge for a few hundred metres to outflank the crags then pick a way SE down grassy slopes and ascend the minor top on the way to Creag Ghuanach. Continue, roughly E, and ascend grassy rough slopes to reach a small cairn which marks the summit of Creag Ghuanach, 618 m. There is a small lochan on its E side.

(3) Descend the fairly well defined SSE ridge for about 400 m before making a slanting descent towards the waterfalls on the Abhainn Rath which are marked on the map at about NN 284 682. Pick up the path on the N side of the Abhainn Rath and follow up past the waterfalls. Where possible, stay close to the river as that is where the best path is. There are some paths which drift away from the river but lead into boggy areas. Eventually reach the crossing point at Luibeilt. Cross over and follow the outward route back to Kinlochleven. On a bright day, you will have the sun in your face all the way back from Luibeilt.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 17th October, 2014.

(b) An alternative route from the start to the Mamores Lodge track is to turn right after walking down the side of the car park. Continue up until a T junction is reached with a stream ahead. Turn right and follow this path up. Highe rup, it is a bit faint and goes through some ferns but in clear weather, the route should be fairly obvious. There will be a steep, tree lined gully on your left. Keep going until a path is met which easily crosses a rocky side gully before cutting back to join the main path up. This route is less stony than the main one but slightly longer.

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