Get Lost Mountaineering

Sabhal Beag, Sabhal Mor & Meall Horn from S end of Loch Stack

Start/Finish

Large rough parking area at south end of Loch Stack at beginning of track to Lone. This is on the A838 about 31 miles north of Lairg or about 6 miles south of Laxford Bridge

Distance/Time

23 km.     About 8 – 9 hours.

Peaks

Sabhal Beag, 732 m, NC 373 429.

Meall Horn, 777 m, NC 352 449.    OS map 9: Cape Wrath

Introduction

This is a tough walk but, on a clear day, there are excellent views to Ben Hee, Arkle, Ben Stack and Foinaven. The ascent of Sabhal Beag and the continuation over Sabhal Mor and Meall Horn are largely pathless.

Route

(1) Walk up the track to the barn then old cottage at Lone. When the track splits, go straight on then follow the track all the way up Srath Luib na Selich for about 7 km to reach the Bealach na Feithe which is obvious but not particularly well defined. Leave the track and head N up steep grassy slopes which are a bit of a slog until the angle eases and gentler slopes lead to the featureless plateau where a low wide cairn, almost like a circular seat, marks the summit of Sabhal Beag, 732 m. The ground may look higher further N but it isn't!

(2) Head NNW across the plateau then down an ill-defined ridge, which is very stony and almost a boulder field in places, to reach the flattish col where there are huge boiler plate slabs. Ascend, roughly W, up steep similar slopes but without any difficulty to reach the crest of Sabhal Mor. Depending where the crest is joined will decide whether the highest point is crossed or not. Follow the crest N then NW up easy slopes. Pass a low shelter cairn before reaching a similar cairn to Sabhal Beag but much taller. This is the summit of Meall Horn, 777 m.

(3) Descend roughly SW, down mainly grassy slopes. Before reaching the col before Creachan Thormaid, drift right, W, and descend towards the Allt Horn track. Lower down, there are peat hags so avoid these on the right to reach the Allt Horn. Cross over and ascend about 40 m to reach the Allt Horn track. Follow this down the glen to Lone then back to the car park.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 26^th April, 2018, and about 12 years earlier by a very attractive route through Glen Golly then around to the W side of Meall Horn then over Sabhal Mor and Sabhal Beag.