Mam na Gualainn from the Pap of Glencoe

Mam na Gualainn from Callert on Loch Leven

Hillwalking route up the Corbett Mam na Gualainn from Loch Leven

Through a delightful birch woodland, paths and tracks lead to grass covered gently rising slopes and onto Mam na Gualainn's grassy summit with expansive views to the Mamores and over Loch Leven to the Glencoe ridges.



Route outline


Corbetts

Mam na Gualainn

Ascent 800m (2620ft)
Distance 6km (4m)
Time 3:00hr
Start/finish Callert
Grid Ref : NN093603
Terrain
easy hard
Nav
easy hard
Effort
easy hard
Scenery
ok fab


The easiest and most direct route up Mam na Gualainn is from the roadside above the shores of Loch Leven, around 4km east of North Ballachuilish. From here there is a track to follow for a fair bit of the ascent up Mam na Gualainn's western shoulder, though it's a pretty wet mucky trudge. Higher up a delightful hike is enjoyed on grass covered gentle rising slopes to a summit with vast expansive views.



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Route description


1. Getting to Callert on Loch Leven

Right-of-way signs marking start point

Right-of-way signs marking start point

The B863 travels around Loch Leven from North Ballachulish to Kinlochleven and Glencoe Village. On the northern shore of the loch, around 4km east of North Ballachuilish and just beyond the entrance to Callert House, a right-of-way sign aside a gate points towards Fort William and Kinlochleven and into some birchwood. The route to Mam na Gualainn begins from here.

There is no parking available next to the sign, though there is a small layby with room for around 4 vehicles around 500m the east. A rough track heads uphill into woodland by this layby.


2. Mam na Gualainn

Path crossing fence-line on the grassy slopes of Mam na Gualainn

Path crossing fence-line on the grassy slopes of Mam na Gualainn

The route to Mam na Gualainn can begin either from the track that begins from the lay-by or from the path by the right-of-way sign.

Both of these options head through woodland and converge some 500m after leaving the roadside. A rough and in places rather soggy path is followed uphill.

Just above the 300m contour, a concrete post is reached - leave the path here and head north-east directly up the south-western shoulder of Mam na Gualainn bouding over heather as the ascent steepens. Gradually the gradient easies and heather is replaced by a more pleasant grass-covered slope.

Further on a path gradually forms, which is followed to reach an old iron gate in a rather tired fence-line .

Crossing the fence-line onto its southern side, the path continues to Mam na Gualainn's summit with its small untidy cairn and trig point.

Garbh Bheinn and view over the Black Mount from Mam na Gualainn

Garbh Bheinn and view over the Black Mount from Mam na Gualainn

For such a relatively easy hike, the views are vast from Mam na Gualainn's summit - The Mamores, the Black Mount to Schiehallion, the Aonach Eagach, Bidean nam Bian, Beinn a'Bheithir and over Loch Linnhe to Argour, Morven and Sunart.

Garbh Bheinn and view over the Black Mount from Mam na Gualainn

Garbh Bheinn and view over the Black Mount from Mam na Gualainn


3. Return to Callert

View from Mam na Gualainn's summit west over Morven

View from Mam na Gualainn's summit west over Morven

The most straightforward option is to return by the way up - it's a fabulous fast run down the grassy slopes !





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Alternative and nearby routes »


Mam na Gualainn from the West Highland Way

South of Fort William, a section of the West Highland Way can be followed through a quiet glen to the foot of Mam na Gualainn, from where a hike up heather clad slopes leads to the hill's grass-covered summit.

Peaks : 1 Corbett

Ascent : 755m (2480ft)
Distance : 11km (7m)
Time : 4hr

Western Mamores hiking route

At the western end of the Mamores mountain range, a horseshoe route with some rough terrain takes in the two Munro peaks of Mullach nan Coirean and Stob Ban.

Peaks : 2 Munros

Ascent : 1200m (3940ft)
Distance : 12km (7m)
Time : 5hr

Ring of Steall hiking route

The middle section of the Mamores mountain range is often referred to as 'The Ring o' Steall'. Some easy rock-scrambling is enjoyed while bagging 4 Munros including Sgurr a' Mhaim and An Gearanach.

Peaks : 4 Munros

Ascent : 1750m (5740ft)
Distance : 15km (9m)
Time : 6:45hr

Garbh Bheinn from Loch Leven

On soggy ATV tracks lower down, leading through heather to rough terrain and boulderfield higher up, this is a fine there-and-back route up Garbh Bheinn above Loch Leven.

Peaks : 1 Corbett

Ascent : 840m (2760ft)
Distance : 6km (4m)
Time : 3hr

Aonach Eagach traverse

A commiting rock-scrambling route crossing the famed Aonach Eagach running along the northern side of Glencoe. The traverse takes in the two Munro summits of Sgorr nam Fiannaidh and Meall Dearg, while tackling some exposed sections of rock-scrambling.

Peaks : 2 Munros

Ascent : 1200m (3940ft)
Distance : 8km (5m)
Time : 6hr









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