Kylerhea hill circuit - Beinn na Caillich, Sgurr na Coinnich, Ben Aslak
SLEAT AND SOUTHERN SKYE, ARMADALE TO KYLEAKIN
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1. Park at the Kylerhea Otter Haven car park on the left as you come down the hill towards Kylerhea. There is a lovely picnic area overlooking the water and the Skye Ferry from Glenelg. From the car park turn away from the water and head straight up the heathery flank of Beinn Bhuidhe. The ground is steep and boggy to begin with but eases off considerably once past the small crags on your right. Eventually the small cairn of Beinn Bhuidhe is reached.
2. From here you can see the two peaks of Sgurr na Coinnich straight ahead and Beinn na Caillich to the right. Head uphill and then traverse right to the Bealach nam Mulachag between the two peaks. At this often windy spot, begin the climb to the top of Beinn na Caillich. To avoid the steep ground directly above the col start over to the right (east) and follow a rake of scree and heather back left until flatter ground is reached nearer the top. In places there are faint paths to follow. A cairn marks the top which has superb 360 degree views including to Plockton and the mainland peaks.
3. Descend back to the bealach by the same route and head up the slope ahead to the summit of Sgurr na Coinnich keeping slightly to the right to find easier ground. This summit has equally impressive views and is marked by a trig point. Taking a few steps south west, if the weather is clear, you should be able to see the road at Bealach Udal that you will be heading for next. Continue south west to a small lochan and then head down directly to the bealach down the undulating slope taking care to avoid the numerous small crags. The last section is over tiring terrain but keep aiming for the telecommunications mast visible just beyond the bealach of the Kylerhea road.
4. On meeting the road, you can choose to descend directly to the car park to shorten the walk. If continuing, walk up the short road to the telecommunications mast and past the mast itself onto the moorland. Take a direct route up the slopes of Beinn Bheag heading for the top of the deep gash that carries the start of the Kylerhea river. From here head in a south easterly direction to the summit of Ben Aslak. Fantastic views of the island, including Isle Ornsay in the east, the small isles in the distance and Knoydart to the south.
5. Turning east, the ground undulates and passes a pretty lochan before beginning the descent down the broad ridge towards the sea at Kylerhea. The route down is straightforward with great views. After about a kilometre, the beach and islands of Sandaig, where Gavin Maxwell lived and wrote Ring of Bright Water, are visible to your right on the mainland.
6. As you descend the slope you should be able to see the shore you are heading for straight ahead with a small iron-roofed building and sheep pens to the left. As the ground becomes steeper the walking gets harder as the ground is boggy and covered in deep grass tussocks and bog myrtle that does its best to trip you up. Keep heading towards the coast to the right of the building. Eventually as the ground flattens you should meet a path coming from the building and then on to Kylerhea. Either turn left and follow this path or continue to the shoreline and follow that back to Kylerhea.
7. The last section along the coast is very pleasant with good wildlife watching opportunities. Cross the Kylerhea river either at its mouth if the water is very low or a little higher up where shallow sections can be crossed fairly easily unless the river is in spate. Cross the croft land to the left of the fence to the track and turn right passing the houses of Kylerhea and a river before turning left onto the main road. About 50 metres further turn right onto the road leading back up to the Otter Haven car park.
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