Bla Bheinn. Day 2 0f 3. November 2016

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.


Distance 11.5km (7 miles)

Total ascent 1126m

Time 7 hours

Start/Finish Camasunary bothy (NG517183)

Terrain rough ground; some very basic scrambling on rock that is grippy even when wet (but most can be avoided); loose rock; one exposed ‘bad step’; navigation challenging in poor weather

NG517183 You can see your entire ascent from Camasunary bothy – it’s spectacular, a long rib of rock leading directly to the lower south summit. From the bothy, take the path to the bridge but don’t cross it. Instead, follow the 4x4 track uphill. After crossing a burn, it zags north and at the tip of this zag a small path leads through the heather towards Bla Bheinn’s south-west ridge. The path is narrow but discernible and in clear weather your objective is impossible to miss. Traverse towards the ridge, staying at roughly 100m and crossing another burn to reach it. This path continues into Glen Sligachan but another, barely more than a deer track, leads up the broad start of the ridge. Here, turn your attention to the hill and its rocky terraces.

NG521193 The route from this point to the south summit is straightforward in navigation at least. Simply thread your way up the ridge, walking where possible and taking advantage of satisfying scrambling where it’s offered. A faint rough path tracks most of the way up and the rock is fantastically grippy with nothing too technical to stand in your way. The way is notched by gullies with precipitous drops that don’t present danger, unless you stray too close, but do give a pleasant thrill of exposure. The last section is up some loose rock, which may require hands, but you’ll soon find yourself on the southern peak surrounded by gobsmacking views. 

NG528215 Scramble Pause to take in the views from this smaller summit: the glittering blue sea and its islands, the toothy Cuillin ridge and miles of mountains stretching into the distance. To reach the true summit you have to traverse the notch between, which requires a short but exposed scramble downwards. It’s not too technical, but take your time if heights make you swoon. The true summit is a short and straightforward walk north-east from here. 

NG529217 The views from the true summit are even more enjoyable and some excellent posing with the trig pillar suggests itself. To descend, take the main track south-east, following a line of cairns. This is a popular route and has a clearer path. As you drop, it will trend northwards before curving to the south-east again, following a logical rib of rock. Some of this can be quite loose and you may like to use your hands at points. You lose height quickly and soon find yourself in the green slice of Coire Uaigneich.

NG536212 Rather than following the path north-east, abandon it to scramble further down towards the burn and up the other side – a short but steep grassy bank. You’ll emerge beside Loch Fionnachoire and on a side of the hill with a completely different atmosphere to that which you’ve just left. Pass around the lochan’s south side in a rising traverse, forging a path between outcrops of rock and trending west of south to avoid steeper cliffs more directly to the west and south. You’ll emerge onto the broad, grassy flanksof Slat Bheinn.

NG535205 From here the going is easy, if a little rough and totally pathless. Head south on a gentle descent, weaving between tiny lochans and erring west of the ridge. Towards the end, turn more decisively south-west to drop to a 229m spot height. The wide Am Mam track, if clearly in view, makes an easy target; but in poor visibility you may want to take a bearing. Once you hit the track the going is very easy indeed: a short jaunt to the track you started on. If conditions are good, a dip in the sea is highly recommended.