DAY 64
TUESDAY 1ST MAY, 2012,
KYLESKU TO GLENLERAIG – 14 MILES 8 HOURS
MORRIS, DEREK, KEITH, BILL, JOHN AND GARRY
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 936 MILES
Another good breakfast set us up for another days walking. Again the sun was shining as we set off, dropping the car at Glenleraig before travelling to the start point at Kylesku in the minibus. Walking from the Kylesku log cabins we crossed a deep gully and slowly made our way up the very steep, wooded hillside below Cnoc na Cairidh. This very challenging scramble, at times on all fours, was followed by another two less severe gullies before we emerged on the hillside and walked out onto the B869. The views all around were spectacular particularly the imposing Sail Ghorm and Sail Gharbh to our south. The steep wooded area between road and loch at this part was unwalkable so we continued uphill on the road to a point near Reintraid where we left the road and made our way back down to the loch edge and on to Kerrachar. There are beautiful gardens at Kerrachar (which have featured on TV and are on You Tube) but as no one was about we were unable to visit them. After a brief lunch stop we left the lovely Kerrachar Bay and walked round the point at Rubha Nam Fias to the even prettier Loch na Mola. Walking on the sea side of several lochans we picked up a path which led us along the sea edge to Ardvar where we could see the fish farm boat busy on Loch Ardbhair. From Ardvar we made our way along the sea edge rocks stopping to view the Broch at the south end before heading round the west side of the loch. Following the coast we walked passed Loch a Meallard before reaching the point at Rubha na Maoile. From here the inland views to the mountains were amazing. The final stretch along the hillside on the east side of Loch Nedd proved extremely difficult with copses of thorny trees, rutted ground , deep heather and rocky outcrops making footing difficult and tiring. We were very happy to eventually drop down through woodland onto the road at Glenleraig. Again our legs were covered with many scrapes and scratched evidence of a difficult walk. A stop was made for a much needed refreshment at Kylesku Hotel before our return to Lochinver
Summary; Another testing day with very few bits of path and a difficult finish.
Highs; The weather, the views, the very picturesque Loch na Mola.
Lows; Stingy sore bleeding legs.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- Looking up Loch a Chairn Bhain from near Kylesku Lodges
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- Looking ahead to the hillside we have to climb with Quinag in the background
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- The testing climb up the hillside above the loch
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- Looking back from near Cnoc na Cairidh over Kylesku lodges to the bridge
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- Keith, John, Derek and Garry taking a breather with the magnificent Quinag in the background
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- Another photo stop with Kylesku bridge in the background
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- Another view back to the Kylesku bridge
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- Walking for a short stretch on the B869 road towards Rientraid
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- Looking out to the fish farm off Eilean a Gamhna
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- A zoom shot back to Kylesku bridge from near Rientraid
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- Enjoying a refreshing drink of water in the woods near Kerrachar
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- Enjoying a lunch stop in the sun at Kerrachar
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- Looking back across to Duartmore Forest from near Rubha Nam Fias
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- Garry looking ahead to Loch na Mola
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- The lovely causeway between Loch na Mola and Lochan na Dubh Leitir
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- The sea loch Loch na Mola
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- On a path we found towards Ardvar
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- Loch Ardbhair
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- Looking south down Loch Ardbhair from near Ardvar
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- Making our way along the loch edge at Ardvar
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- The Broch at the inland end of Loch Ardbhair
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- Another picture of the Broch
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- A photo stop near Rubha na Maoile with Quinag in the background
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- Looking west from near Rubha na Maoile
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- Looking ahead to the mouth of Loch Nedd
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- End of the days walk at Glenleraig
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 64 ROUTE MAP