Location:
Sutherland
Map: OS Landranger 15
Distance: 9 miles ( 15km )
Time: 6-8 hours
Terrain: Paths, grass and rock Approaching Kylesku from the north the first
glimpse of Quinag can be intimidating. On dour days it can look
distinctly menacing, the main backbone of the mountain shy and
retiring, hidden by the perspective of
the land behind steep, barrel-shaped buttresses of terraced rock.
From the Lochinvar road, in the west, that ridge becomes the dominant
feature, a 5km wall of Torridonian sandstone with a splintered
quartzite crest. In the light of a winter sunset it can look fierce,
while on a
summer’s day all threats melt away. With a high-level start, obvious
paths and wide-ranging views the ridge walks to the three summits make
one of the best
high-level excursions in the north.
Unusually for a Corbett, Quinag has three summits - Sail Ghorm ( 776m /
2,546ft ), Sail Gharbh ( 808m / 2,651ft ) and Spidean Coinich ( 764m /
2,507ft).
A parking space on the A894, at an elevation of almost 250m, makes a
good starting point but don’t be tempted by the footpath that appears
to run up into the Coire Chornaidh. A far better way to reach Spidean
Coinich is to follow the east ridge over grass and quartzy slabs to a
small rocky top. Beyond this, steeper rocky slopes lead to the summit.
A
steep descent down a narrow ridge is the highlight of the day, high
above the watery wastes that form the hinterland of the Eddrachillis
Bay coast.
On the other side of the ridge the dark waters of Lochan Bealach
Cornaidh reflect the steep slopes of Sail Gharbh, which, in a few
hours, will be your
final top of the day.
The ridge drops to the broad Bealach a’ Chornaidh from where a path
zig-zags up to the ridge just east of a knobbly top. Skirting the top
itself, the path traverses its north- east slopes and descends to
another bealach before climbing the long ridge out to Sail Ghorm, the
second summit of the day. With Loch a‘ Chairn Bhain and Kylesku below,
the whole of
the north stretches before you, on past Ben Stack to Arkle and Foinaven
and distant Cranstackie.
From Sail Gorm you have to retrace your steps to the Sail Gharbh ridge
but it’s no hardship, with views of Suilven and the lnverpollaidh hills
illustrating why this is a landscape without equal. It's an easy stroll
out to Sail Gharbh before descending back to the low point on the ridge
where the best route of descent is to drop down the steep slopes to
Lochan
Bealach Cornaidh. A rough path down the corrie makes a grand end to the
day.
Route:
Start/finish at the parking space on the A894 between Kylesku and
Inchnadamph ( GR NC233274 ).
Cross the road and follow a sta|ker's path over a footbridge.
Leave the path and head due W to gain the prominent E ridge of Spidean
Coinich.
Follow the ridge to a rocky top which is crossed before a steeper climb
to the summit of Spidean Coinich.
Descend steeply N to a high col then climb over the bump marked on the
map as pt713.
Follow the path down to the Bealach a‘ Chornaidh then continue N up
steep slopes to the ridge just E of pt745.
Continue NW to gain the ridge that runs out to Sail Ghorm.
Return to the point just E of pt745 and follow the ridge E then ENE to
the summit of Sail Gharbh.
From the summit return to the low point of the ridge and descend loose
E-facing slopes towards Lochan Bealach Cornaidh where a rough footpath
drops E down the corrie towards the starting point.
