Get Lost Mountaineering

Am Bathach & Ciste Dhubh from near Cluanie

Start/Finish

The Cluanie Inn is a well known landmark at the western end of Loch Cluanie on the A87 from Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh. Park in the first car park/lay by to the east of the Cluanie Inn which is below the south ridge of Am Bathach.

Distance/Time

12 km.      About 6 – 7 hours.

Peaks

Am Bathach, 798 m, NH 073 143.

Ciste Dhubh, 979 m, NH 062 166.      OS sheet 33.

Introduction

This is a very pleasant walk with a path all the way although it does have the odd boggy path. There are excellent views to A' Chralaig, Mullach Fraoch-choire, Sgurr nan Ceanthreamhnan, Beinn Fhada, Aonach Meadhoin and the South Glen Shiel ridge.

Route

(1) From the lay by, walk E along the A87 for about 300 m to reach an old iron gate from where a good path leads up the S ridge of Am Bathach. Follow the path up over shoulders and some minor tops; there is a small cairn on one shoulder. The next cairn is a medium one and this is the summit of Am Bathach, 798 m.

(2) Continue on the crest, descending NNW then NW. The path is not now so distinct so when in doubt, stay on the crest. Reach the wide Bealach a' Choinich which can be boggy but the path can still be followed although faint in places. The path goes straight up the S flank of Ciste Dhubh with the first part of the ascend being steep and boggy. It is less boggy if one goes to the right, E, then rejoin the path a little higher. The path then follows the S ridge: on the crest at first then on the left of the crest where the slopes are steep. In places, the crest narrows but there are no real difficulties although it may be unnerving in windy conditions. Eventually reach the medium cairn perched on the small top which is the summit of Ciste Dhubh, 979 m.

(3) The best route of descent is to retrace the ascent route even if that means re-ascending Am Bathach. One other option is to retrace to the Bealach a' Choinnich then take the path down theAn caorann Beag which is the glen on the W side of Am Bathach. This can be boggy but, eventually, a track will be reached which leads down to Cluanie. The other alternative is to descend the E ridge from the summit of Ciste Dhubh but the An Caorann Mor glen is very boggy until the good track is reached so stay above the glen for as long as possible until the track is just across the glen. Both these alternatives have been walked previously and the return over Am Bathach is still preferred.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 20^th October, 2015 and twice previously.

(b) Accommodation is limited at Shiel Bridge but there are two camp sites. One behind the garage, the other at Morvich on the old road around Loch Duich. The latter is run by the Caravan Club and has very good facilities including Wi-Fi.