Get Lost Mountaineering

Ben Aslak from Bealach Udal

Start/Finish

Bealach Udal which is the pass on the minor road between the Kylerhea ferry and the A850 Kyleakin to Portree road which it meets about 3 miles east of Broadford. There are deep parking spaces either side of the pass. Please do not use the passing places or block the access gate to the aerial.

Distance/Time

5 km      About 2 hours.

Peaks

Ben Aslak, 610 m, NG 750 191.      OS sheet 33.

Introduction

This hill can offer a good short day when higher hills, especially the Black Cuillin are in cloud. On a clear day, views will include the Cuillin and peaks on the mainland especially those around Arnisdale such as beinn Sgritheall. On a wet day, navigation can be confusing in mist and the ground can seem like a gigantic saturated sponge! There is a path low down and a fainter one at the top but in between, you will do well to find a path. Two prominent large lochans help with navigation.

Route

(1) Walk up the track to the aerial then follow the faint path beyond which heads towards Beinn Bheag. This can be ascended or contoured around on its SE side. Either way, reach the broad col between Beinn Bheag and Ben Aslak where there is a scattering of small lochans which may disappear in a dry spell. From the bealach, ascend SE to soon reach a large lochan. It looks rocky and craggy above but all difficulties are easily avoided. Continue heading up SE, aiming for a grassy ramp between two prominent rocky tops. If the path has been lost, it may well be found again here. The path reaches the summit area between the true (W) summit and the large lochan. Follow the faint path as it curves around to roughly SW to reach a medium cairn on a low outcrop which marks the summit of Ben Aslak, 610 m. To visit the E top, go NE to the large lochan then go E to reach a similar sized cairn. On the way, you may come across a gently sloping slab with a tiny cairn on it. There is also a tiny cairn on the ground almost due W above the large lochan.

(2) Retrace to the top of the grassy ramp then retrace the outward route.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 10^th May, 2015.