There were already several vehicles in the parking area at the west end of Loch Arkaig, accessed along a single track undulating road from the B8005 at Mile Dorcha, when we arrived there just before 9am. Some had probably been there overnight or even longer as there is a lot of wild country to explore from this point. Our plan was to climb the Corbett, Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh.
We set off along the estate track on the north side of the River Dessarry passed Strathan and to just before Glendessarry Lodge.
After the bridge over the Allt na Feithe we located the rough path on the west side of this stream and used it to gain some height before leaving the path and heading onto the south-east ridge of Druim a’ Chuirn.
It was a steady climb onto the 815 knoll then a short walk to the summit of this Corbett Top.
Traces of path ran west along the narrowing ridge before turning south-west and making the easy ascent of Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh where there were grand views out west including the Islands of Rum and Eigg.
We then walked initially south but before the south knoll descended steeply towards Coire Chicheanais then across some rough ground avoiding various areas of rock to reach the pathless south-east ridge. Prior to reaching the buildings replacing the old Glendessarry Lodge a couple of dilapidated fences were crossed before walking through the yard and onto the estate track which was followed back to the start.
- Time taken – 6.25 hours.
- Distance – 13.25 kilometres.
- Height climbed – 960 metres.