The final time I walked these two Munros above Loch Cuaich, close to Invergarry, was in 2019. I loved a solo journey and accomplished a circuit of Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich anti-clockwise. I didn’t see a lot from up excessive due to cloud on that day. On Sunday, Hubby G and I returned to those Munros in unseasonably heat climate in November 2022.

G is near ending his second spherical of Munros and he recalled the final time he walked the 2 Munros. It was across the time that we met some 13 or so years in the past and, principally, he talked about being a lot fitter then.

G determined he would favor to stroll the circuit clockwise, as he had the final time, and I all the time favor to strive new routes so I agreed. Looking back, I believe I favor the anti-clockwise route as a result of there’s numerous moist and boggy floor between the street and the summit of Spidean Mialach.

I might all the time select to ascend on boggy floor, reasonably than descend as a result of there’s extra probability of slipping when strolling downhill. G disagrees: He prefers to ascend on the steeper path to Gleouraich after which descend on the boggy path.

Roadside to Gleouraich

From the beginning, the trail climbs steeply and steadily, though the gradient is made a lot simpler because of an easy-to-follow zig-zagging stalker’s path.

At first you possibly can solely glimpse the summit of the Munro from far under within the corrie however the larger you rise, the higher the view of the excessive ridge that’s the location of each Munros, Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach.

G and I plodded uphill, eradicating layers within the heat climate. It was principally sunny, too, and the views over Loch Cuaich and throughout to the peaks of Knoydart and past had been very good.

From round 600m elevation, the wind picked up and it was often fairly robust. The wind additionally introduced a little bit of a chill at instances.

From the upper north-west fringe of the corrie, the route continues on to a path the climbs in the direction of the ridge. The final push to the summit of Gleouraich at 1035m is steep, though, once more, a zig-zagging path helped with the gradient.

On the cairn, G and I loved his sandwiches. Surprisingly, my sandwiches had disappeared. They by no means turned up and I can solely assume that I will need to have dropped them someplace.

Excessive cloud got here and went however on the entire we had been handled to some nice views.

Stroll alongside the ridge to Spidean Mialach

Fron Gleouraich, the ridge extends east. The stroll to succeed in the second Munro is longer than you may think at this level, plus there are many downs and ups. The clouds got here and went in order that, at instances, it was clear the place we had been headed and, at different instances, we needed to belief that the apparent path would ultimately result in the subsequent Munro.

A few instances, I checked my map to see how a lot additional we wanted to go. There are a few decrease cairns earlier than reaching the shelter cairn on Spidean Mialach.

The ridge is gorgeous. To the north, the slope drops steeply to Glen Quoich and throughout to the excessive peaks of the South Glen Shiel Ridge. Whereas, to the south, the ridge rolls in folds and creases of corries in the direction of Loch Cuaich.

Finally, we might see the highest of Spidean Mialach at 996m. Sadly, cloud enveloped us and the views had been minimal. Once more, we had a brief relaxation and a chunk to eat earlier than returning a brief means alongside the ridge after which taking a descent path to the south-west.

I discovered this probably the most testing a part of the stroll. It was incessantly moist, soggy or boggy. Plus my beforehand snug boots began to dig into my proper ankle bone.

I additionally began to really feel the influence of a hill working race I’d performed the day earlier than and my legs had been telling me they needed to cease and relaxation.

Happily, decrease down the slope, the vista was spectacular. By now the cloud had disappeared and the solar was setting over Loch Cuaich and an array of mountains. I really like the sunshine of a late and sunny winter’s day.

I’ll go away you with a number of stats and my route, in addition to a lot of photographs to entice you.

Route particulars: Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach

Distance: 13km

Complete elevation: 1230m

Route: Strava.