NH2772174255 Follow the A-road over Torrandhu Bridge then turn right onto a forestry track. Pass through a gate into Altan Wood, a large area of young scots pine plantation. The track (marked on the 1:50,000 OS and Harvey maps) winds uphill through the woods, heading roughly southwest for about 2km. At a junction go right to descend steeply and exit the wood at its southwest corner. Cross a bridge over the Abhainn an Torrain Duibh.

NH2633272104 Beyond the bridge is a trail junction. Stay right to follow an ATV track on a slightly convoluted ascent of the boggy east flank of Creag Dhubh Fannaich. The track fizzles on a shoulder at 550m but an intermittent path continues to the stony top of Creag Dhubh Fannaich. Cross a little col and follow the broad ridge northwest to the summit of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich.

NH2195772408 To outflank the steep west side of the hill first descend north-northwest on stony ground, to pick up a well-made old stalker's path. This makes a descending traverse to reach the col west of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich. The ridge now leads up around the corrie rim, over a minor top before a steeper ascent to the summit of Sgurr Mor - in winter conditions take care of the corniced edge on the right, and the incut at the head of a gully. The summit cairn is poised spectacularly on the edge of the mountain's sweeping east face (home to the classic winter climb Resurrection).

NH2031171806 Descend south on gentler-angled grassy slopes, crossing a series of distinctive little terraces (an ice age relic), to a broad col above Fuar Tholl Mor. Go over the top of Meall nan Peithirean, and descend the broad southeast ridge. A stalker's path now skirts the south side of Creachan Rairigidh to reach a grassy bealach at 836m (a spot height on some, but not all maps).

NH2159470113 At a path junction stay left for the steady climb onto the stony top of Meall Gorm. Continue along the flat-topped ridge, passing a small ruined stone shelter, to reach Meall Gorm's lower east top. A steeper descent southeast on rough ground leads to the Bealach Ban below the round's fourth and final Munro. Though An Coileachan can be climbed directly, it's somewhat easier to bear slightly left in ascent to join a path on the north flank before doubling back south to the summit cairn, which sits on a distinctive little rock outcrop.

NH2416668012 Make sure you've got something left in the tank for the walk-out, which is longer and more onerous that you might imagine. Retrace your steps briefly, then continue north down steep, rough ground. Bear slightly left towards a tiny lochan, then follow a well trodden trail northeast down to a col at 565m, just above remote Loch Gorm.

NH2426469211 Don't descend to the loch, but stick with the eroded path to traverse the west flank of Meallan Buidhe. In the folorn wastes beyond, both the path and your sense of humour tend to fizzle into the bogs. Keep heading roughly north-northeast, passing the occasional sign that other lost souls have come this way, to eventually meet a very soggy ATV track leading to a bridge over the Abhainn a' Ghiubhais Li. You're not quite home and dry yet (definitely not the latter), as the sodden path along the north bank of the burn twists and turns for two more rough kilometres (that feel like four) before you're finally back at the bridge of stage 1. The track back through the woods is mercifully dry underfoot.