A mountain adventure in Wester Ross with Alan!
We left bright and early at 6am, and drove over to Poolsewe, where we parked the car (it has a good "pay by donation" car park). There are only three buses per week on this route (beautiful, all along the coast), and by amazing good luck, there was one (the #700) leaving on the exact day/time (08.08) we needed! The bus ride alone is worth the trip!
We hopped off at Dundonnell about 9am, and from there, Alan had planned a spectacular route (and even ordered perfect weather) back over the Fisherfield Traverse to Poolsewe.
The first few miles we climbed up the track to our first hill pass, following the Gleann Chaorachain river, and then skirting round the bottom of An Teallach, until we were high enough up, so that the Fisherfield plateau opened out all around. It was my first time to see this, and my, it was breathtaking!
We left bright and early at 6am, and drove over to Poolsewe, where we parked the car (it has a good "pay by donation" car park). There are only three buses per week on this route (beautiful, all along the coast), and by amazing good luck, there was one (the #700) leaving on the exact day/time (08.08) we needed! The bus ride alone is worth the trip!
We hopped off at Dundonnell about 9am, and from there, Alan had planned a spectacular route (and even ordered perfect weather) back over the Fisherfield Traverse to Poolsewe.
The first few miles we climbed up the track to our first hill pass, following the Gleann Chaorachain river, and then skirting round the bottom of An Teallach, until we were high enough up, so that the Fisherfield plateau opened out all around. It was my first time to see this, and my, it was breathtaking!
From the top, we descended down to the bothy at Shenavall, where we had a checkpoint.
Then, a river crossing (not too deep!) of the Abhainn Srath na Sealga, a good bog section over the valley bottom, followed by crossing the river again, to Larachantivore. A little section along the river, and then up a second hill pass, passing Beinn Dearg Mor.
A lunch stop by Lochan Fèith Mhić-illean - a lochan with a beach!
Then we did a detour, to bag a munroe (usually considered to be the most remote munroe) - A' Mhaighdean. A rocky climb up, past the dark jewelled waters of Fuar Loch Mòr....
....what views!
Down the mountain and back to our track, for a quick checkpoint, and then down (hurray!) to Fionn Loch and over the causeway.
The track is excellent on this part. Fionn Loch does seem to go on a bit, but then, anything does after a lot of mountain miles on your legs!
Before we got to Poolsewe, we did a 4 mie detour to "Bad Bog", to get a shot for the May entry of the 2026 edition of my Bog Calendar. I thought it's name was a bit harsh - didn’t look bad for a bog!
From there it was back down lovely track along the River Ewe, to the car at Poolsewe.
33 miles and about 6200 feet ascent - a spectacular, fabulous, and peaceful day!
A cool down hike/ jog from near Eileanach Lodge, along forest tracks to Loch Glass, then up and around the northern tops of Ben Wyvis. Much cooler than the day before, but still great views!
Thank you Alan for planning some great routes!
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