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Beinn Bhan & Sgurr a' Chaorachain from Bealach na Ba on Applecross Pass

Beinn Bhan & Sgurr a' Chaorachain from Bealach na Ba on Applecross Pass

Start/Finish

Car park on Bealach na Ba which is the top of the Applecross Pass from Kishorn to Applecross Bay. This can be approached from either side but the shortest and quickest way is from the Kishorn side but the road is much steeper on this side with several hairpin bends and impassable under winter conditions or you drive around the coast from near Shieldaig on the much longer route. Both routes are single track roads with passing places and are becoming much busier as a result of the so called North Coast 500 which has been launched without any thought as to whether the roads and infra-structure can cope and they can't. There are now too many drivers, most of whom don't know how the passing place system works and won't pull over to allow following traffic to overtake. Incidents are already happening and will soon spiral out of control as a result of what is basically a money making scheme for hotels and other businesses.

Distance/Time

15 km.    About 7 – 8 hours.

Peaks

Beinn Bhan, 896 m, NG 804 450.

Sgurr a' Chaorachain, 792 m, NG 796 417.     OS sheet 24: Raasay, Applecross & Loch Torridon.

Introduction

These mountains look very formidable indeed when viewed from the east as they present a line of almost unbroken cliffs. Sgurr a' Chaorachain is almost completely surrounded by cliffs with only one thin walking route to its summit. The shortest route to include both Corbetts in a single round starts at the Bealach na Ba car park at a height of about 600 m. This does not mean an easy round though as there is some quite rough ground with only hints of a path in places. It is a much, much harder route in thick weather. There are good views from Beinn Bhan to the Torridon mountains although they are some distance away. From Sgurr a' Chaorachain there is a good view to the Skye Cuillin and Dun Caan on Raasay although this view can often be hazy. Do not under estimate this route because of its high start.

Route

(1) From the Bealach na Ba car park, you need to get to the lochan N of the obvious radio mast at about NG 786 430. This can be done by following the obvious track for a short distance then contouring across pathless ground. From the lochan, head N over undulating ground with little hint of a path. After about a km turn NE on a gently rising traverse path which then descends to the Bealach nan Arr. A faint path starts to ascend Beinn Bhan and soon drifts left, to avoid much of the stony ground, before drifting right later on. There is the occasional cairn. If in doubt, keep to the right of the ridge where the edge leads towards the summit. There is a minor top before the summit from which one drops down E then ascends up to a long broad plateau where a trig point inside a shelter cairn marks the summit of Beinn Bhan, 896 m.

(2) Retrace down the ridge to the Bealach nan Arr then to the lochan under the radio mast. Ascend to the mast then start along the ridge towards the summit of Sgurr a' Chaorachain which, unfortunately, is the last top of several! Descend S from the mast using the edge on the left, E, as a guide. Ascend the next top where the ridge turns E and a path is more obvious. Continue with some short but steep ascents and descents until, finally, one reaches the climb to the final top where a medium cairn marks the summit of Sgurr a' Chaorachain, 792 m. Note that most of the intervening tops gave cairns on them which may be confusing in thick weather.

(3) Retrace along the crest but the radio mast top can be traversed on its left, W, side saving some climbing. Join the track form the mast and follow it to the Bealach na Ba car park.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 18th July, 2017, and about 15 years earlier but in reverse.

(b) The SYHA at Torridon is very well placed and a lovely place to stay. It is a modern purpose built building which is very well managed. It's only fault is that it is extremely popular so, if planning to stay there, book well in advance!

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