Scotland's Best Walks: Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach

Opposite Gairich, the road westwards along the north side of Loch Cuaich passes beneath three fine mountains; Spidean Mialach, Gleouraich and Sgùrr a’ Mhaoraich. Proximity to the road and good stalkers’ paths make their ascents among the less strenuous in the Western Highlands. Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich have two distinct aspects. Their north sides are defined by dark rocky corries with steep spurs, whilst on the south sides above Loch Cuaich, long grassy slopes and broad ridges, lead to rounded stony summits.

Note that the OS has changed Loch Quoich to Cuaich, although they retain the name Glen Quoich.

Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach are climbed together and give a delightful expedition with a splendid undulating high-level ridge and good views. They are separated from Sgùrr a’ Mhaoraich to the west by the deep trough of Glen Quoich.

Leave the A87 to the north of Invergarry and take the single-track road signed to Tomdoun and Kinlochourn, which runs along Loch Garry for some 12 miles (19km) to reach the dam at the east end of Loch Cuaich. Continue for a further 3 miles (5km) to a small parking area on the south side of the road at NH029030. This is just beyond the bridge over the Allt Coire Peitireach and the westerly of two small hydroelectric substations. A metal pole on the north side of the road marks the start of a stalkers’ path.

Follow the path through the bushes and up the west side of the Allt Coire Peitireach before climbing up left to zigzag onto Sròn a Chuilinn. The stalkers’ path continues up the ridge ahead, the Druim Seileach, to traverse just below its highpoint at 840m, then swings round over a saddle to end a little higher at a low, stone butt or hide. This is one of the most impressive of all stalkers’ paths, particularly its upper traverse where there is a surprising feeling of exposure as one looks down the steep slope that falls to the loch in Glen Quoich.

From the end of the stalkers’ path, ascend directly on a steep hill path to reach the north ridge, then turn south-east up the crest to the summit of Gleouraich (4.75km; 830m; 2h). To the north all seven Munro summits are visible along the great wall formed by the South Glen Shiel Ridge.

Head south-east then east down the ridge to a col (947m) and climb Creag Coire na Fiar Bhealaich (1006m), a Top. Follow a path which zigzags down onto then along the ridge to reach the col forming the lowest point between the peaks, the Fiar Bhealach (c740m).

The ascent to Spidean Mialach is straightforward and follows the splendid, scalloped cliff-edge of three successive corries, passing over the slight rise of the north-west top (977m) and the dip beyond to reach the summit. The cairn is perched on the edge of the headwall overlooking Coire an Spidein to the north, with Creag a’ Mhàim beyond at the start of the South Glen Shiel Ridge (8.75km; 1170m; 3h 35min).

Descend a path south-west down easy slopes, to a shallow col about 350m north-west of Loch Fearna, then descend almost due west into the head of the corrie, to cross over the Allt a’ Mhèil and gain the start of the stalkers’ path marked on the OS 1:50k map. Continue traversing south-west to pass below Meall nan Càrn on the southern slopes of Gleouraich, then descend to a final bash though bushes and the road. Follow the road for 400m back to the start (13.5km; 1170m; 5h 20min).