About the event:
Where is the Adventure?
Rising high above Loch Arkaig and Loch Quoich, the mountains on the eastern fringes of the 'Rough Bounds of Knoydart' are rugged, wild and remote from civilisation giving a real sense of wilderness to anyone hiking here. On the eastern fringes of this area, Sgurr na Ciche rises dramatically above Loch Nevis. This mountain's silhouette is a distinctive landmark in the north-west Highlands. All of the mountains in the area require some careful planning to ascend, with many a hiker having poured over maps to find the best way to link them together. We're here for 3 days of guided hiking aiming up the high Munro summits including Sgurr na Ciche, Sgurr Mor and Gairich.
The area is reached via long single track winding roads. They are absolutely spectacular though (more so perhaps for any passenger!). The nearest towns are Spean Bridge or Fort William - both on the major road network from Inverness to the North and Glasgow to the South. They are also on the main rail network and besides the Munros, there are plenty of activities to get involved with as well as other incredible places to visit if you are making a holiday out of this trip.
There are independent accommodation providers all around the area - in Roy Bridge, Fort Augustus as well as larger hotels and campsites in Fort William.
About the Adventure:
We'll spend three days hiking the 5 Munros in this remote area. The Munros offer superb vantage points from where vast views over Knoydart and to Skye and Kintail can be savoured. Clamber and scramble over quartzite blocks and hike along fine crests to bag 5 Munro summits including Sgurr na Ciche, Sgurr Mor and Gairich on the edge of the 'Rough Bounds'.
Feel an enormous sense of achievement having bagged these Munros. They are spectacular. The views can be spectacular. The experience can be physically exhausting - but mentally uplifting, empowering and utterly rewarding.
Saturday 4th May
We're aiming to bag the 3 Munros north-west of Glen Dessary. We'll meet at the end of the roller-coaster Loch Arkaig road at the gate leading to the non-vehicular access at the end of the car park. It's a fair trek in, but soon we're heading uphill and through an interesting gorge that brings us up onto ridges. Rough Sgurr na Ciche is gained with uninterrupted views from its summit along Loch Nevis towards Eigg and Rum. Along ridges, occasionally following the remains of a wall we'll bag Garbh Chioch Mhor and Sgurr na Coireachan.
Sunday 5th May
We'll have a shorter day today tackling Sgurr Mor. From the same starting point, we strike off up to a relatively boggy col on a good track which soon disappears. We'll drop down into Glen Kingie, cross a river and then, steep grass covered slopes lead us up onto the ridges and to the summit. We can also take in the fine summit of Sgurr an Fhuarain (Corbett).
Monday 6th May (Bank Holiday)
A solitary Munro above the southern shores of Loch Quoich. Gairich is a suprisingly rough hill ! It rises above the eastern end of Loch Quoich. Our final day on the Rough Bounds of Knoydart will take us around to the Loch Quoich dam. We'll walk over the dam and then through undulating countryside before arriving on a long plateau. From here we can see the other Munros surrounding Loch Quoich and the steep sides of Gairich ahead of us. We'll take a zig-zag path up the steep and rugged slopes of the eastern side of Gairich, which involves a short but spicy scramble. But we're rewarded when we reach the summit from where the views make you go 'Wow!
This event is being led by Nav and you can read about him here. Please Note: If you are signing up for one or two of the days, we can't guarantee which days we'll attempt them on as that will be weather dependent. We'll only really know a day or so beforehand so please be prepared to be flexible!
Meeting Point:
We'll meet at 8:00 at the western end of Loch Arkaig. There is a small car park here which tends to get full at weekends. It is highly advised that you get here as early as you can. To see the start point in Google Maps (and use it as a sat nav), please click this link. This will open in a new tab.
For Gairich, we have the monster single track road leading to Loch Quoich to negotiate. There is parking either side of the dam. To see the meeting point, please click this link. This will open in a new tab.
Nav will be in touch nearer the time but will also mention car sharing to save fuel and also pressure on the limited parking area! Please have a think about whether you'd be willing to drive one of the days and take turns on the other days.
Difficulty:
These are big and challenging hills. There are good tracks around the area, but also some loose scree, boulders and some boggy or trackless sections. You'll need a good level of fitness and stamina to keep going with numerous ups and downs. The walk in begins on good tracks but is less defined as we head toward the Munros and there are river crossings too.
Prerequisites:
A very good level of fitness is required. There are some quite brutal slogs, and the ridge of 3 is a 30km day.
Cost:
This three day remote adventure costs £300 per person with discounts for booking more than one person. There is the option to book for one or two days.
Numbers:
There are a maximum of 8 places and a minimum of 4 for the trip to take place.
Equipment:
Please see the All Activities section of the kit list here. Walking poles are recommended!
Images from Past Events
To Book
If you want to chat to me about the event then please feel free to do so - email is a good start as I'm often out and about with limited phone reception. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions too.
To book simply click 'Register Now' and follow the instructions (or on mobile, the link below). You'll get an automated confirmation reply but I'll follow that up when I get back to civilisation to say thanks and with more detail about the event.
Please ensure you've read the booking Terms and Conditions and you are aware of what you need to bring by downloading the gear list.
Please check carefully which tickets you are booking and for how many. We try and be flexible but of course that brings loads of options! You can select if you want to come for one or two days on booking.
Book The Rough Bounds of Knoydart Early May Bank Holiday Weekend