Hill: Carn na Nathrach
Date: Friday 20th March 2009
Company: Just me
Time: 5 hrs 35 mins
Dog friendly: No (6ft fence after 602m top)


I drove to Kinlochan (Sunart) on Thursday evening where I slept in the back of my car. The road from Strontian to Kinlochan is pretty steep (1:4) and makes for an interesting drive in the dark. There is room for parking circa 300m along the road from Kinlochan, towards Polloch.

Overnight accommodation at Kinlochan:


Signpost at start of walk (Kinlochan):


I started walking at 07:10. The track from Kinlochan to Glenhurich takes you through a nice wood, mainly Birch and Pine with the odd Willow and Holly tree thrown in.

River Hurich:


Carn na Nathrach:


The weather was fantastic from the outset albeit a bit hazy. I followed the track past Glenhurich and then crossed the bridge over the River Hurich and then the Allt an Dubh Choirein.

Approaching Glenhurich:


I followed the forest track keeping a keen lookout for the marker cairn which identifies the point where you leave the track and enter the forest. Spotted the cairn without difficulty and ascended steeply into the forest.

Marker cairn:


After 5 minutes of ascent I was clear of the trees and onto the start of the long, broad ridge of Carn an Nathrach.

Above the trees:


The ridge is long but straight-forward as far as the 602m top.

Looking back:


Looking towards summit:


At the 602m top, I stopped for a wee break and was surprised at how far there was still to go!

Looking back from 602m top.

Still a long way to go from the 602m top:


After the 602m top there is a 6ft fence to climb over. It would be difficult to get a heavy dog over this fence and it is tight to the ground at the bottom. The ridge from the 602m top to the summit has a lot of ups and downs. There is also a short scramble that can't be easily avoided not long after the fence. It is at most Grade 1 though so not difficult.

Short scramble:


View towards summit:


Looking back:


The final ascent to the summit cairn is also steep, however, there is a zig-zag path that takes you up and there is no need to take your hands out of pockets.

Final ascent:


From the summit, if it wasn't hazy, there would be superb views. Given the haze, I was still able to make out Sgurr Dhomnuill, Stob a’Bealach nan Sgriodain and Beinn Resipol.

Looking back from summit:


Stob a’Bealach nan Sgriodain:


Sgurr Dhomnuill:


I returned to the car via the same route, meeting two other parties on the way back. This is a superb hill, worth keeping for a good clear day.