wilderness ride route – for a later date

The planned route of my Wilderness Ride in essence is as follows:

Day One: from Glenfinnan Station over the 1600' Bealach a' Chaorainn and down to Glen Pean and Glen Dessarry, then across the Bealach an Lagain Dubh to the head of Loch Nevis at Sourlies; 18 miles and nearly 3000' of climbing.

Day Two: from Sourlies along the shoreline and to Carnoch then over the Màm Meadail and down to the Inverie River, not visiting Inverie but heading over the Màm Barrisdale and past Barisdale to follow the shore of Loch Hourn to Kinloch Hourn; 19 miles and 4500' of climbing.

Day Three: from Kinloch Hourn over the Bealach Coire Sgoiredail into Wester Glen Quioch, down that glen and up Easter Glen Quoich to join the old Road to the Isles above Loch Loyne and follow it to the Cluanie Inn; 18 miles and 2900' of climbing. A hotel night as reward!

Day Four: from the Cluanie Inn up An Caorann Mòr to pass the Alltbeithe hostel in Glen Affric, over the Bealach Coire Ghàideil and down to Loch Mullardoch, then westwards from there to Iron Lodge in Strath Duilleach and up onto the high plateau above Loch Monar at the Maol-bhuidhe bothy; 23 miles and just over 4000' of climbing.

Day Five: from the Maol-bhuidhe bothy to Loch Calavie and the Bealach Coire na Sorna, past Bendronaig Lodge and over the Bealach Alltan Ruairidh, crossing high country before dropping down to Strath Carran and following the single-track main road to Achnashellach, to cross the Coulin Pass and then follow another single-track main road down to Kinlochewe in Glen Docherty, camping on the north shore of Loch Maree; a long day at 33 miles and 3000' of climbing.

Day Six: from Kinlochewe along the old postman's track below Slioch to Letterewe, then over to Strathan Buidhe and down to cross the causeway between Fionn Loch and Dubh Loch, followed by a steep climb to the high plateau behind Ruadh Stac Mòr before dropping into Gleann na Muice Beag, passing the buildings at Larachantivore before crossing the Strath na Sealga to the Shenavall bothy; 20 miles and 3500' of climbing.

Day Seven: from Shenavall up the strath and then on to pass Loch an Nid and across the watershed to Loch a' Bhraoin, turning south to cross through the Fannich Forest down to Loch Fannich and then along the River Grudie to Lochluichart Station; 29 miles and nearly 3000' of climbing. The plan is to make it onto the 18:42 train back to Glasgow that evening.

More detail to follow soon.