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Beinn nan Aighenan from Victoria Bridge

Beinn nan Aighenan from Victoria Bridge

Start/Finish

Victoria Bridge car park (just before the actual bridge) which lies at the end of the A8005 minor road to Forest Lodge and Victoria Bridge. This road leaves the A82, Crianlarich to Fort William road at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.

Distance/Time

14 km bike + 15 km walk      About 10 - 11 hours.

Peaks

Beinn nan Aighenan, 960 m, NN 148 405. OS sheet 50.

Introduction

Many attempt Beinn nan Aighenan from Glen Etive, often as part of a round including Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhor. This walk, however, is a longer and tougher route from the east. It is no better than the Glen Etive approach but does offer different views of the surrounding mountains including Stob Gabhar, Meall nan Eun, Stob Coir'an Albannaich, Glas Bheinn Mhor, Ben Starav, Beinn nan Lus, Meall Garbh, Beinn Eunaich, Beinn a' Chochuill, Ben Cruachan, Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh, Beinn Suidhe, Ben Lui, Beinn Udlaidh, Beinn Bhreac-Liath, Beinn Odhar, Beinn Dorain, Beinn an Dothaidh and more! Save this route for a good day. There are potentially difficult river crossings. The bridge S of Clashgour no longer exists. Getting a bike across the river is easy in a dry spell but can be impossible in a wet spell. There is a bridge further upstream but it means getting the bike about 1 km up a path, not a track, with high stiles. Another river crossing further on has small boulders as stepping stones but it would be difficult crossing them carrying a bike in a wet spell. The track from Victoria Bridge goes past Loch Dochard but, in places, it is just two parallel tyre ruts. In dry weather it can be cycled for most of its length. Bikes are best left somewhere on the flattish ground after Loch Dochard as the track deteriorates but does improve later. The track leads to a ford across the upper River Kinglass which is easily crossed in a dry spell. In a wet spell, the bridge is a few hundred metres downstream across a small rocky gorge. There is no obvious path up Beinn nan Aighenan from Glen Kinglass nor is there much of a path on the crest but once on the crest, the going is generally good on short grass and slabs. Take plenty of water on a hot day as not much will be found on the route.

Route

(1) Cycle out of the car park and continue up the road, crossing Victoria Bridge. Just before Forest Lodge, a sign indicates a right of way to Loch Etive using a track on the left. Cycle along this track, initially following the river, before it swings away, passes through Clashgour before turning back to the river where the old bridge has been removed. Walk across with the bike then continue on the track to soon reach a second river with small boulders as stepping stones. The track continues after this river, passing Loch Dochard, before levelling off on the NW flank of Beinn Suidhe. When the track becomes too rough, leave the bike and continue on foot. Soon the path/track descends into upper Glen Kinglass, crossing the river by a gravel ford. If the river is high, walk downstream for about 300 m and cross the bridge. There is no obvious route up on to the E ridge of Beinn nan Aighenan. Some will want to tackle it direct (not checked out), others may look for easier ground from further along the track but remember the further along the track you go the more height you lose. If choosing this option, ascend somewhere between the bridge and the next major gully on the left, Allt Cloiche Finne. Pick a way carefully up the moderately steep grassy and slabby slopes until the crest is reached which can be seen curving round and up to Beinn nan Aighenan. Follow the undulating ridge, with a path here and there and with some loss of height over a significant top before a final long and steep climb to the flat top where a medium cairn marks the summit of Beinn nan Aighenan, 960 m, NN 148 405

(2) Retrace the outward route.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 22nd July, 2013.

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