Kylesku - Glendhu - Glencoul - Kylesku

David and Chris Stewart

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This is a testing two-day walk through remote Highland territory, staying at a bothy for the night. The route passes on stalkers' paths by Loch Glendhu and Loch Glencoul to Eas a Chual Aluinn, Britain's highest waterfall.

Although the route starts on a clear track to the bothy at the head of Loch Glendhu, thereafter the paths are indistinct. After Loch Glencoul there is practically no path at all and there is a difficult river-crossing. Navigation skills therefore need to be fully up to scratch. You also need to be prepared to retrace your steps at the river-crossing if it is not possible.

An overnight stay can be made at one of two bothies, at the heads of Loch Glendhu or Loch Glencoul. The bothies are very basic and you need to carry in everything for survival for the night. You might even want to take a small tent or bivi bag, in case they are full (although given their remoteness, this is unlikely).

For all this effort the rewards are great. The views are fantastic and the waterfall is spectacular.

The route does end with a four-mile walk along the road back to Kylesku, although even here there is plenty of landscape to enjoy and the road is quite quiet.

This walk features in the 'Pathways' book; for more information click on the link on the Walkingworld homepage.

Scotland - Highlands and Islands - Highland - Sutherland