DAY 63
MONDAY 30TH, APRIL, 2012
LOCH AN OBAIN TO KYLESKU – 14 MILES 7 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH, BILL, JOHN AND GARRY
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 922 MILES
Our accommodation for the week was the Rose Guest House in Lochinver which was a central point for the proposed weeks walking. After breakfast we drove back to Loch an Obain dropping off the car at Kylesku on the way. It was beautiful sunshine again as we set off on the access road to Duartbeg. On reaching Loch a Mhuilinn the road had become a track which we left and made our way towards the sea before returning to the track south of Loch Duartbeg. On reaching an inlet where the track joined a metalled road we crossed the river and made our way up the steep hillside. On reaching the cairn on the top we enjoyed the spectacular views over the Eddrachillis Bay then followed the hillside round above the sea at Bagh Chalbha before making a difficult decent down through rocky crags to cross another river into Duartmore Forest. Walking out of the forest to the main road we met Bill, (who had taken a different route), for a lunch break. Setting off again we followed the road back through the forest passed a fishing lodge. The road ended here and we found our own way through the forest passed Loch an Ruighein to the lovely Loch Shark. From here we walked close to the sea passed Duartmore Bay then turned inland to the high point at Carn Ban. Moving back towards the sea we continued along the hillside before picking up the path from Galascaig to the viewpoint on the A894. From here we walked on the road passed Kylestrome over the amazing Kylesku bridge to the finish of the days walk at the Kylesku Hotel where we enjoyed a most welcome and refreshing pint.
Summary; A testing walk and in parts and not for the unfit or faint hearted. Had to blaze our own trail for most of it.
Highs; The weather and the views made it all worthwhile. The pint in the friendly Kylesku Hotel was oh so good.
Lows; None, roll on tomorrow.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
- Ready to set off in sunshine
- Looking down on Loch an Obain
- On the minor road towards Duartbeg
- Loch Duartbeg
- Lots of lovely wild primroses were growing all over this area
- On the path to Bagh Chalbha
- Bill at Bagh Chalbha
- Taking a breather on the stiff climb up the north west corner of Cnoc Chalbha
- Garry enjoying the view from the top
- Looking down at the fish farm in Bagh Chalbha with the island Calba Mor in the background
- Looking down on Duartmore forest from the southside of Cnoc Chalbha
- Keith making his way along the hillside above the river at Duartmore forest
- Crossing the river into the forest
- Derek, Garry and Morris on the stepping stones over Loch Duartmore
- Making our way through Duartmore Forest
- Lunch stop in Duartmore Forest
- A photo call as we make our on a forest road
- A lovely big Log cabin in Duartmore Forest
- Looking ahead to Loch Shark
- Loch Shark
- Looking across Duartmore Bay to Quinag in the background
- Making our way along the hillside near Carn Ban
- Looking across from the hillside to the island Eilean a Ghamhna with Quinag in the background
- Morris taking a breather near Galascraig
- Another view across to Quinag
- Photo call at the Kylesku view point
- Keith heading for Ktlesku bridge
- The plaque at Kylesku bridge
- The amazing Kylesku bridge
- Crossing the amazing Kyleskue bridge
- Derek and Bill on Kylesku bridge with Quinag in the background
- Lovely reflections in the water from Kylesku bridge
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE