Walk: Cul Beag bagged

Highland | Coigach | Half day walk | ★★★

[Cùl Beag from Meall Dearg]

This mighty Coigach summit displays its best side to the west: a majestic, grey rock dome rising above Loch Lurgainn. Unfortunately an ascent from this side would be brutally steep: instead, head up from the east where the contours relent. Even this route is a surprisingly tough outing, with lots of pathless ground and long vegetation to contend with even before the start of the main climb - and later on, a false summit thrown into the mix. But the Cùl Beag bog slog renders rich rewards: superb summit views looking north into Assynt and south over Coigach. Is it worth the effort? That might depend on how dry the recent weather's been!

[Meall Dearg & Cùl beag both have fantastic views north into Assynt]

📌 Walk: Cul Beag bagged ★★★
▶ 10 km / 6 miles | ▲ 730 metres
Summits: Cùl Beag (769 metres)
Start / finish: Layby on A835 4 miles southwest of Elphin, G.R.: NC 184079 ///light.sharpness.mild

Route: Layby - outflow of Lochan Fada - cross fence corner at Druim Donn - Meall Dearg - Cùl Beag - return by outward route
Terrain: Fairly good track for first kilometre, then rough path which fizzles out before fence corner. Mostly pathless beyond: tough going with long grass and bog at first, becoming easier (but steeper) higher up. Traces of paths are easier to spot and follow on descent.
Wildlife today: Lizards, frogs and toads on descent; leaping fish in Lochan Fada.
Weather today: Mostly sunny for ascent, then clouding over. Feeling humid with temperature in low 20s by the finish.

[West side of Cùl Beag, seen from the roadside near the Stac Pollaidh car park (24/7/18)]

Route map

Route credit: Walkhighlands

More photos

[Cùl Beag (left) & Cùl Mòr from the start]

[Summit beyond Lochan Fada]

[This path at Druim Donn soon fades away, leaving a tiring slog to the base of the hill]

[Following rock bands over Creag Dhubh provides the easiest route of ascent]

[Cairns don't guarantee a path!]

[Faint path on Creag Dhubh (centre left), more easily seen on descent]

[Frog on Meall Dearg]

[Cùl Mòr from the foot of Meall Dearg]

[Loch an Doire Dhuibh & Cùl Mòr from Meall Dearg]

[Lochan Uaine with Cùl beag beyond]

[View south from the bealach to Ben More Coigach]

[Meall Dearg from Cùl Beag]

[Summit cairn & Stac Pollaidh]

[Suilven (far left) & Cùl Mòr (centre) from the summit] 

[Looking east from the summit]