A' Mhaighdean

A’ Mhaighdean stands in the remote north-west Highlands, 13 kilometres north of Kinlochewe. It is one of the most difficult of the munros to reach, approached most easily from Poolewe. A private road runs south-east to Kernsary, open only to walkers and cyclists. From Kernsary a track leads to the narrow causeway between Fionn Loch and Dubh Loch. The climb then turns east, crossing the Allt Bruthach an Esain before joining the North West ridge. The summit ridge is made of hard gneiss, the oldest rock in the area. The Lewisian gneiss forms the main body of the mountain. A band of younger Torridonian sandstone caps part of the North West ridge. The contrast between the two rocks is clear on the final climb. The ridge itself is narrow and exposed in places. The view from the top stretches over wild glens and lochs. On clear days Ben Eighe and Beinn Alligin appear to the south. The air is often still at the summit, making the silence part of the experience. The route back follows the same ridge, giving a different perspective on the landscape. The whole walk takes most of a day and rewards effort with solitude and open horizons.