Glen Affric - Scotland's Hills

My plan was a circular walk from the Dog Falls in Glen Affric, accessed from the A831 at Cannich, to take in a few Graham Tops on the north side of the Glen. I left my vehicle in the car park at Dog Falls, which was empty, paying the £2 parking fee. I briefly visited the Dog Falls before walking west along the single track road through Glen Affric to the bridge over the Allt Blar na Gamhna.

River Affric looking east from Dog Falls

I looked for the path marked on my map that ran up the side of this stream but couldn’t find the start. I therefore walked through the trees crossing some rough vegetation to locate an old vehicle track which led to a water intake.

This track continued a bit further then I came to an area where the trees had been felled with no sign of the path. After crossing more rough ground I came across a forest track not shown on my map and utilised it for a bit but it was heading to the south of Meallan na Ceardaich while I required to be on its east side. I therefore left the track and worked my way through the trees and un-trodden vegetation onto the open hillside. After crossing more rough ground I reached an old vehicle track, probably a section of the path marked on the map, which eventually disappeared in the heather. From there I climbed the Sub Dodd, Meallan na Ceardaich North Top, accidentally missing out its South Top.

I thereafter headed round Coire Beithe where the vegetation made for some rough going before reaching the Graham Top, Meall Mor, and here took a break.

Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin and Beinn a' Mheadhoin — Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin and Beinn a’ Mheadhoin

Hump, Doire Tana. Glen Affric Munros beyond

Hump, Carn Loch na Gobhlaig from Meall Mor

Afterwards I headed to the edge of a deer fence which was followed towards the col with Feith a’ Ghiubhais crossing a new deer fence twice. From there I ascended the Hump and Graham Top, Carn Loch na Gobhlaig.

Feitha' Ghiubhais, Creag na h-Iolare, Lochs Mullardoch and Sealbhanach — Feith a’ Ghiubhais, Creag na h-Iolare, Lochs Mullardoch and Sealbhanach

Loch na Gobhlaig, Creag a' Chorre Dhuibh and Beinn a' Chairein — Loch na Gobhlaig, Creag a’ Chorre Dhuibh and Beinn a’ Chairein

The pathless route continued as I descended north-east passed the un-named lochan north of Loch na Gobhlaig before climbing the Graham Tops, Creag a’ Chorre Dhuibh then Creag a’ Chorre Dhuibh East Top where I stopped for another break.

River Cannich and the Glen Cannich Hills

Glen Cannich Hills including Sgorr na Diollaid

Lochan na Cuidhe and Beinn a' Chairein — Lochan na Cuidhe and Beinn a’ Chairein

The descent was south-west then south before heading towards the An Cam-allt where the ground steepened significantly so I kept to the east before entering the forest. Here again the walking was awkward through fallen and cut timber as well as some long vegetation. Eventually I reached the forest track where I briefly headed east to join the Kintail and Glen Affric Way which was followed through the trees to the Dog Falls Car Park.

Time taken – 6.75 hours.
Distance – 15.25 kilometres.
Height climbed – 865 metres.