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Na Gruagaichean and Binnein Mor
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Map
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Photos
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| An enjoyable circuit in classic ridge-walking country, the Mamores. The ridges are well-defined and pleasingly narrow in places. |
| Area: |
Central Highlands, Mamores
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Grade:
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Ungraded what does that mean? |
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Total Distance:
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14 km
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Total Ascent:
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1200 m
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Time:
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7 hours includes Binnein Mor |
| Maps: |
Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheet 41
Ordnance Survey Explorer 384
Harvey Superwalker Ben Nevis
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| Avalanche hazard: |
Relatively safe. |
| Avalanche Forecast area: |
Lochaber more |
| Tips: |
The Mamore Lodge road is steep and the drop-offs are scary. If road conditions are poor, park alongside Loch Leven and walk to the lodge. |
| Alternatives: |
The route is no harder in reverse.
To add excitement, you could continue NW from Na Gruagaichean and descend from the col beyond. A bit harder. |
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Start From North Ballachulish on the A82 take the B863 towards Kinlochleven. This takes you along the north side of Loch Leven. After about 16 km take a single track road on your left, sign-posted for the Mamore Lodge. Park in the car park at the Mamore Lodge. Make your presence known and be prepared to pay for parking (£3 at the time of writing). Grid Reference NN186629. |
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Approach Continue up the road and pick up a wide track heading in a generally easterly direction. After crossing a bridge you start to pass under the south ridge of Na Gruagaichean. This will be your descent route. A little further on the track forks. Take the left branch that slants up the flank of Sgurr Eilde Beag. The junction is roughly 3 km from the lodge. |
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Sgurr Eilde Beag The slanting path finally switches back and climbs steeply up the broad SSE ridge of Sgurr Eilde Beag. |
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Sgurr Eilde Beag to Binnein Mor Beyond the summit of Sgurr Eilde Beag, the ridge continues to ascend to point 1062 where the dramatic south ridge of Binnein Mor joins from the right (N). This narrow ridge takes you to the summit of the fine tent-shaped peak (1 hour round trip). |
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Na Gruagaichean Return to point 1062 and continue WSW on the main ridge, which narrows and drops to a col. The final ascent takes you to the summit of Na Gruagaichean |
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Descent From the summit of Na Gruagaichean, descend left (S) over a pleasantly well-defined ridge. When the ridge peters out, bear left (E) for 200m distance and pick your way down through steep grassy terrain until you rejoin the track back to the lodge. |
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