Easains from Corriechoille
Hillwalking route up Stob Coire Easain, Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin and neighbouring Corbetts
Often referred to as just the 'Easains', Stob Coire Easain and Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin are most likely to be tackled on their own from Fersit. However, heading in from Corriechoille not only shows another side to these Munros but also gives the option of also bagging a couple of rugged Corbetts, Cruach Innse and Sgurr Innse.
Route outline
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Corbetts | ||||
Ascent | 1900m (6230ft) | |||
Distance | 20km (12m) | |||
Time | 8:20hr | |||
Start/finish | Corriechoille Grid Ref : NH253794 | |||
Terrain |
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Effort |
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Scenery |
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Corriechollie is the access point most people use for the Grey Corries, but it's also a fine starting point to reach the rugged Corbett peaks of Sgurr Innse and Cruach Innse. Just to the south of these peaks are the twin Munro summits of Stob Coire Easain and Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin. Connecting both pairs of hills is Bealach an Sgurr at a height of just over 550m, giving the opportunity for a fine bagging hillwalk over 4 peaks with not too much re-ascent !
Away from the estate tracks, there are faint paths to follow over the varied terrain. The rough ground on the north and south sides of Sgurr Innse can present some challenges, particularly in mist and some people may find the boulderfield up Stob Coire Easain's northern shoulder tiresome.
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Route description
1. Getting to Corriechoille
The start of this route is from Corriechoille, which is at the the end of a narrow road which starts from the railway station in Spean Bridge and heads eastwards. By the bins at Corriechoille, there is a sign discouraging parking on the verge.
However, there appears to be no objection to turning right and driving the 2km right down the track to the edge of the forest on the rugged track, but be prepared for your car's suspension to take a pounding ! Best to park where there is a junction in the tracks.
2. Cruach Innse
Cruach Innse from the bridge over the Allt Leachdach
Leaving your car behind, walk south and up the estate track to a gate into forestry. Through the gate, up the track a bit and you'll pass a bench and the 'Wee Minister' - a wooden sculpture with a collection box for Lochaber Mountain Rescue.
Continue on the track through the forest. After hiking for just over 1km, the track comes to a gate and out of the forest. A little climb is followed by a dip down to a bridge over the Allt Leachdach.
Follow the track for another 200m or so, then look for a small cairn on the left . This marks the start of a faint path aiming east uphill. Alas the path doesn't last, but terrain underfoot is of grass and is easy-going.
Climb around 150m while travelling eastwards and reach the flat and most likely soggy ground north of Cruach Innse. Gradually turn southwards and hike up Cruach Innse's northern shoulder.
On summit of Cruach Innse looking to the Loch Lochy hills
On summit of Cruach Innse looking to the Loch Lochy hills
3. Sgurr Innse
Sgurr Innse from southern shoulder of Cruach Innse
Leaving Cruach Innse's summit behind, aim initially south-east along the wide and flat summit plateau for around 500m or so. A small cairn is met, beyond which the ground falls away steeply south-east.
To avoid the steep ground beyond the cairn, turn south-west and descend grass-covered ground. As heather is encountered a faint path begins to appear which is traced southwards as it picks a route between rocks down to Bealach na Cruaiche .
The faint path becomes very vague as it crosses Bealach na Cruaiche then becomes more obvious as it begins to climb up Sgurr Innse's north-western shoulder.
Looking back to Cruach Innse from summit of Sgurr Innse
Looking back to Cruach Innse from summit of Sgurr Innse
4. Stob Coire Easain
Rough terrain approaching Stob Coire Easain from the north
The descent down the other side of Sgurr Innse is also rough and a bit of try-and-see might be needed to find the best route.
From Sgurr Innse's summit, I aimed down the south-western shoulder following a path, dropped a bit, then turned south-east to avoid rocky steep ground on the crest. Contouring westwards, I returned to the crest which I more-or-less stuck to for the rest of the descent.
Down to Bealach an Sgurr , the ground is soggy and undulating, but a faint path can be picked up and followed up onto the northern shoulder of Stob Coire Easain.
The path becomes more obvious as it gains height and wanders through scree. When the path begins to twist and turn, that's an indication you're nearly on the summit of Stob Coire Easain .
5. Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin
Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin from Stob Coire Easain
The route to Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin begins by descending a path through screes and blocks eastwards. As height is lost, the terrain underfoot becomes more pleasant and the bealach between the Munro summits is reached.
The climb up the eastern side of the bealach is similar, climbing some grass to reach boulderfield higher up. The wide bouldery expanse of Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin's summit plateau is reached where an untidy cairn rests marking the top .
6. Return to Corriechoille
Descending northwards to Bealach an Sgurr
Retace your steps down to the bealach between Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin and Stob Coire Easain .
Decision time ! A path heading northwards can be followed down into Coire Easain Beag, from where rough heathery-clad ground is bounded over to contour arouund the northern shoulder of Stob Coire Easain. The undulating ground of Bealach an Sgurr is again reached.
Alternatively, head back up Stob Coire Easain and retrace your route back downhill to Bealach an Sgurr . I'd prefer this option, particularly if weather is fine giving a chance to savour views again.
From Bealach an Sgurr , head south-west picking up some ATV tracks to make a beeline for Leacach Bothy .
Pick up the estate track by the bothy and follow it northwards for 4km back to Corriechoille.
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Alternative and nearby routes »
Easains from Fersit | |
Often referred to as just the 'Easains' or 'This Yin and That Yin', Stob Coire Easain and Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin are the Munro peaks on high ground running north-east to south-west above the western shoreline of Loch Treig. The most obvious choice of route is from Fersit near the head of Loch Treig. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1200m (3940ft) Distance : 15km (9m) Time : 6hr |
Grey Corries from Corriechoille | |
The 'Grey Corries' is the name given to the superb range mountains to the east of Ben Nevis and the Lochaber 4000ers. The Grey Corries are probably seen at their finest from above Spean Bridge with the quartzite rock shimmering in sunshine and framed with the Commando Memorial in the foreground. Peaks : 4 Munros
Ascent : 1800m (5910ft) Distance : 25km (16m) Time : 9:15hr |
Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain | |
East of Loch Treig are the two Munros of Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain. Very different in character and linked together by a vast grass-covered plateau, the easiest approach is from Fersit to the north-west. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1250m (4100ft) Distance : 16km (10m) Time : 6hr |
Glen Roy Corbetts | |
Glacially carved Glen Roy is encircled by a collection of heather and grass covered lumps. This route runs over the western and northern Corbett hills in this range. Peaks : 3 Corbetts
Ascent : 1410m (4630ft) Distance : 23km (14m) Time : 8:5hr |