Sgurr Mhic Bharraich from Shiel Bridge

Cows by Glen Shiel Campsite

The A87 travels from Invergarry in the Great Glen, north west onto Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye. Having descended through Glen Shiel, the road arrives at Shiel Bridge, the first building being the coffee shop of 'Chocolates of Glenshiel'.

To the left of the coffee shop, a rather pot-holed road heads past a house towards Glenshiel Campsite. Just before the entrance to the campsite is a large parking area with some recycling bins.

I've previously parked in this car-park, however on my last visit this car-park was marked for use by customers of the coffee-shop and campsite only.

Bridge over the Allt Undalain

From the parking area by Glenshiel Campsite, head westwards along the road to a gate, then turn immediately left up a path around the edge of the campsite. By the upper end edge of the campsite, there is another gate from where a rough track crosses land possibly with livestock. The track then meanders uphill into a birch wood and a hidden 'lost valley'.

A little bridge over the Allt Undalain is reached, where the water below has created a small gorge and carved out interesting holes and sculptures in the rock. Cross the bridge and follow the rough and sometimes damp track as it traces the west bank of the Allt Undalain upstream. The track begins to veer south-west and around 1.5km on from the bridge, a cairn is met indicating a junction - keep to the right on a constructed path.

Gradually the path turns towards a more westerly direction and begins to climb uphill. At around the 250m contour, a post is met marking another junction - the faint path on the left (not marked on OS Landranger) heads southwards - keep to the well defined path to the right which climbs more directly uphill.

After the path twists and turns several times, the gradient easies and Loch Coire nan Crogachan is reached. This is a tranquil spot with lovely views of the surrounding hills reflected on the water.

The path, now much fainter, crosses north-west over the bealach and descends towards Glen More and Glenelg, so leave it by the loch and strike northwards on a steep grass covered hillside.

Nearing Sgurr Mhic Bharraich's summit overlooking Loch Coire nan Crogachan

Nearing Sgurr Mhic Bharraich's summit overlooking Loch Coire nan Crogachan

Knoydart and Beinn Sgritheall from Sgurr Mhic Bharraich's summit

A return can be made by re-tracing your steps back down the route taken up.

Alternatively for a shorter and more direct return, head eastwards over Sgurr Mhic Bharraich's wide grassy crest, initially following a faint trod, to then begin loosing height down towards the Allt Undalain. Although there is no path to follow, the terrain is never too steep or tricky, just a pleasant trudge over a grass covered hillside with some heather to bound through lower down.

Direct descent of Sgurr Mhic Bharraich with Five Sisters of Kintail ahead

Direct descent of Sgurr Mhic Bharraich with Five Sisters of Kintail ahead