The Flow Country of Scotland's far north is Europe's largest blanket bog, a waterlogged landscape of mind-boggling expanse. Rising as a rounded wave on the western side of this great moorland sea, Ben Klibreck doesn't immediately grab the imagination, its main attraction seemingly the ease of ascent for Munro baggers. But a linear dash from the road won't do justice to the scale of the setting. Better to nip over Bealach Easach to the obscure lochs stretched below the mountain’s hidden eastern flank, a place of unexpected grandeur, before making a return along the full stretch of Klibreck’s high, grassy spine. Though the A836 is fairly close this does little to dent the sense of remoteness; after all, it’s a single track A-road on which a dozen cars per hour would count as traffic. Even the walk’s starting point has a back-of-beyond feel, the Crask Inn being almost the only habitation in miles.
Detailed description
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Difficulty: SevereDistance: 18 miles (28.90 km)
Total ascent: 1,161m
Time: 8 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start/Finish:Crask Inn, NC523247
Nearest town:
Lairg
Terrain:
A lengthy approach on a clear track, then a steep pathless ascent. Open grassy ground lacking the boulders and heather so common elsewhere on Scottish hills. Careful navigation is needed in poor visibility.
Seasonal variations:
In winter it might be sensible to reverse the direction of the walk so that the hill stage is done in daylight. The distance could be reduced by incorporating Meall an Eòin into the round instead of the more distant Meall Ailein. Bear in mind that the steep grassy slopes of Meall nan Con present a potential avalanche hazard.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Northwest Highlands – Met Office: West Highlands
Public transport:
Daily post bus from Lairg to Altnaharra – you won’t miss your stop, there’s literally nothing to confuse it with.
Guidebooks:
Great Mountain Days in Scotland (Cicerone) https://www.cicerone.co.uk/great-mountain-days-in-scotland
Maps:
OS Explorer 443 (1:25,000), OS Explorer 448 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 16 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Lairg (0845 22 55 121)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- East Ridge of Beinn a' Chaorainn and Beinn Teallach 21 Jan
- A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire 4 Dec, 2023
- Meall na Teanga & Sron a' Choire Ghairbh - The Loch Lochy Munros 6 Nov, 2023
- Bynack More 19 Oct, 2023
- Beinn a' Mhuinidh 4 Oct, 2023