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An excellent
short walk for when the high tops are inaccessible. Basically, this walk
circumnavigates Meall Cumhann (698m), with grand mountains scenery at
all points, including upper Glen Nevis with its Steall Waterfall and the
Mamore Ridge across the glen. Some steep, grassy ground has to be crossed,
so you should be sure of your footing but otherwise there are no technical
difficulties.
Drive up
Glen Nevis to park at the terminal car park. This quickly fills up on
popular days. The first section takes one through the gorge, with Himalayan
scenery; rocks, mountains, pine trees, steep drops. Be careful here! The
waterworn rocks in the upper section of the gorge are particularly splendid,
with worn potholes visible on the cliff walls.
The gorge
leads to the meadow above, with Steall waterfall now visible ahead. Steall
Cottage on the other bank is now a private climbing hut, with access only
possible on foot by a scary wire suspension bridge. Stay on the path,
which is often muddy here and start climbing up just before the old Steall
ruin, where the burn descends from Coire Giubsachan. Continue up the west
bank of the burn to reach the col at the mouth of the coire.
Numerous
boulders have been left stranded by the glacier here, many of them studded
with dull red garnet stones. Above is the Carn Mor Dearg arête leading
west to Ben Nevis and right to Carn Mor Dearg. The rocky SW spur of Aonach
Beag defines the east wall of this fine coire, which has a flat valley
not seen from below.
The route
now heads up and left towards the col between Meall Cumhann and Ben Nevis.
Cross the col and begin to head across and slightly down the steep, grassy
slopes, heading for several isolated trees. You may have noticed that
you are now on granite, having left the schistose rocks just below the
col.
Carefully
moving across the slope by the trees you should pick up a faint path,
which leads towards the Waterslide. This provides more grand scenery,
especially if in spate. Finally, descend the path on the east bank of
the Waterslide, to regain the car park below.
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