Highland | Coigach | Half day walk | ★★★
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[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!
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[West side of Cùl Beag, seen from the roadside near the Stac Pollaidh car park (24/7/18)] |
📌 Walk: Cul Beag bagged
★★★
Start / finish at layby on A835 4 mi southwest of Elphin, G.R.: NC 184079 ///light.sharpness.mild
▶ 10 km / 6 mi | ▲ 730 m | ⌚ Half a day |
⬤ Tough
Features: △ Cùl Beag (769 m)
Terrain: Fairly good track for first km, 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.
Route & map
Layby - outflow of Lochan Fada - cross fence corner at Druim Donn - Meall Dearg - Cùl Beag - return by outward route
Route credit: Walkhighlands
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On our visit
Wildlife: Lizards, frogs and toads on descent; leaping fish in Lochan Fada.
Weather: Mostly sunny for ascent, then clouding over. Feeling humid with temperature in low 20s by the finish.
Chronological photo guide
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[Cùl Beag (left) & Cùl Mòr from the start] |
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[Summit beyond Lochan Fada] |
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[This path at Druim Donn soon fades away, leaving a tiring slog to the base of the hill] |
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[Following rock bands over Creag Dhubh provides the easiest route of ascent] |
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[Cairns don't guarantee a path!] |
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[Faint path on Creag Dhubh (centre left), more easily seen on descent] |
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[Frog on Meall Dearg] |
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[Cùl Mòr from the foot of Meall Dearg] |
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[Cùl Beag from Meall Dearg] |
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[Loch an Doire Dhuibh & Cùl Mòr from Meall Dearg] |
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[Meall Dearg & Cùl Beag both have fantastic views north into Assynt] |
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[Lochan Uaine with Cùl Beag beyond] |
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[View south from the bealach to Ben More Coigach] |
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[Meall Dearg from Cùl Beag] |
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[Summit cairn & Stac Pollaidh] |
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[Suilven (far left) & Cùl Mòr (centre) from the summit] |
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[Looking east from the summit] |
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[West side of Cùl Beag, seen from the roadside near the Stac Pollaidh car park (24/7/18)] |
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