Get Lost Mountaineering

Leana Mhor (W of Glen Roy), Beinn Iariunn & Coire nan Eun

from Glen Roy

Start/Finish

Glen Roy at about NN 300 880, just after the obvious bridge, where there is some off road parking opposite the two buildings.

Distance/Time

9 km.      About 6 hours

Peaks

Leana Mhor, 685 m, NN 284 878.

Beinn Iaruinn, 800 m, NN 296 900.      OS sheet 34.

Introduction

This walk gives good views of the Loch Lochy Munros and the mountains south of Glen Spean including Grey Corries and Aonach Mor. Most of the route is pathless on reasonably good terrain. Navigation will need care in mist. Glen Roy is well known for its “parallel roads” which are essentially “tide marks” left on the hills by retreating glaciers during the last ice age. These are shown on the 1989 OS 34 sheet as “tracks” but this is an over statement and they are often crossed unnoticed and should not be relied upon as paths or tracks.

Route

(1) Walk back along the road and cross the bridge. Ascend slightly to reach a fence going roughly SW. Follow the fence round to gain the ridge ascending SW. Ascend the ridge, on intermittent paths of grass and short heather, to reach the shoulder at NN 289 875 on which there is a small cairn. Descend slightly WNW then ascend NW then N to the summit plateau where there is a small cairn which is the summit of Leana Mhor, 685 m.

(2) Descend N on mainly grassy slopes to a bealach. A fence comes in from the W and runs down to a gate in the bealach which is narrow and boggy close to the fence. Follow the fence out of the bealach to its first corner then leave the fence and continue ascending NE up generally easy grassy slopes. When the angle eases, continue NE to reach the rim of Coire nan Eun then follow the rim N to reach the medium cairn which is the summit of Beinn Iaruinn, 800 m.

(3) Descend E, following the corrie rim and descend ill-defined ridges to where the burn in Coire nan Eun meets the road. The going is steep in places and almost entirely on short heather which can be unpleasant at times. Lower down, grassy patches appear with a path lower still which leads to the road. Walk back along the road to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 28^th May, 2011.

(b) It might be less unpleasant to retrace back from Beinn Iaruinn to the gate in the bealach then follow the burn down to the start.