Just like the much photographed Glencoe mountain Buachaille Etive Mor, so the mountain of Slioch is one of the views snapped by many visitors in the north-west Highlands. I have seen it on numerous drives to the west coast from Inverness, looming large and craggy behind Loch Maree.
Hubby G informs me that we walked Slioch as part of our first Munro rounds just after we met some 13 years ago. I can’t recall the walk, although I do remember a photo I took from the summit of a pair of blue hiking boots.
With G homing on the final Munros of his second round, he was keen to bag Slioch but without the long and boggy walk from Kinlochewe to the base of the mountain. His idea was kayak across Loch Maree from the Beinn Eighe car park at the side of the A832.
We waited for a day of mild weather – especially the wind – and completed the excellent adventure in late October.
Kayak across Loch Maree
It’s a short crossing of Loch Maree at the south-eastern end – and totalled less than 1km. We were fortunate with very little wind in the morning and while there was a bit of a pull eastwards, we paddled from shore to shore in about 15 minutes.
We left the kayaks on a stony beach, changed into walking clothes and followed a faint trod through autumnal bracken to reach the Munro baggers’ track, just before a wooden footbridge.
Hike of Slioch
There is a relatively easy-to-follow path, although it does sometimes meander, all the way to the 981m summit of Slioch. It’s often a steep gradient but the path makes it a great deal easier than many recent Corbett bagging outings.
The views over Loch Maree and across to the majestic Torridin peaks were superb.
Around half-way to the top, we headed into light cloud, which came and went to provide atmospheric views. We were treated to a superb brocken spectre, too.
There is a trig at the southern summit but this is not the true top. You need to walk a short distance north to arrive at a cairn on the northern peak. Slioch actually means “the spear”.
A Munro Top
G was quite keen to complete an out-and-back walk for ease, but I thought it would be much nicer to complete a circuit, taking in the northern ridge and a Munro Top.
It turned out to be a fantastic route. The ridge is quite narrow in places but rarely too daunting. The views across to the Fisherfield area are amazing from this path.
We enjoyed a different descent path and fabulous views of Loch Maree.
It’s impossible to avoid sections of wet ground and bog but we were grateful that we were kayaking back to our vehicle, rather than facing a 4km to 5km trudge back along the path to Kinlochewe.
We met another Munro bagger, who confirmed to us that, yes, the path really was very boggy indeed.
Kayak back across Loch Maree
The wind had picked up by the time we were ready for the return paddle of Loch Maree. I wasn’t worried about capsizing but I did need to focus on making sure I maintained the right direction. The wind had created waves from the south and occasionally the wind buffeted us.
Still, it was a much easier way to finish our adventure on the Munro of Slioch.
Route details: Paddle and hike of Slioch
Distance: 13km
Total height gain: 1075m
See route.