Gleouraich

Gleouraich, at 1,035 metres, is one of a pair of fine, steep, rocky Munros above the north side of Loch Quoich, made among the least strenuous ascents in the Western Highlands thanks to one of the most impressive stalkers' paths anywhere in Scotland.

The route starts from a layby near a hydro building at the bottom of the Allt Coire Peitireach, where dense rhododendrons — survivors from a local lodge now drowned beneath the expanded loch — conceal the start of the path. This superb old stalkers' path climbs steadily through the rhododendrons before opening onto the southern arm of the mountain, giving spectacular views along Loch Quoich to Sgùrr na Cìche and an airy, exposed feeling where the path traverses high above the loch's steep drop. Higher up, a small stone-walled shooter's shelter is passed before the path zig-zags up stony slopes to a fore-summit, with the ridge continuing right to the true summit cairn — a grand viewpoint taking in the South Glen Shiel ridge to the north, Ben Nevis, the Skye Cuillin, and Sgùrr na Cìche down the loch.

From the summit, the ridge continues south-east, keeping to the edge above Garbh Choire Beag in an airy position, to the minor top of Creag Coire na Fiar Bhealaich. The descent from here is steep and rocky, with a crag requiring care on the left flank and occasionally a steadying hand, dropping to the low col of Fiar Bhealaich — a possible bad-weather escape route south into Coire Dubh, though boggy — before the ascent to Spidean Mialach, the second Munro of the day.

The combined round taking in both Munros from the Loch Quoich layby is typically six to seven hours, an enjoyable and comparatively easy day given the quality of the paths throughout.

The one steep, rocky descent between the two summits demands care, and the rhododendron tunnel at the very start can genuinely be tricky to locate — otherwise this is one of the more approachable pairings in this remote part of the Highlands, though full navigation skills remain useful given how faint the path can become in mist near Creag Coire na Fiar Bhealaich.

Parking at the layby is free but limited; there is no public transport along Loch Quoich.