After a day walking a traverse of four Munros near Tyndrum, I chose an easier outing to a Corbett and Fiona near Loch Leven, Glencoe. I slept in my campervan at the side of the loch, which meant I could walk from my vehicle to reach the summit of Mam na Gualainn and then Tom Meadhoin. It is possible to park a car at the end of the track at the start of this walk, which would reduce the total distance I walked by a couple of kilometres.
Route to Mam na Gualainn
The route begins from the roadside on a path just to the east of Callert House and immediately tracks north through woodland and large rhododendrons. As the path comes out into more open grasslands, it steepens.
There are wooden signs with green arrows every so often and, somewhat strangely, a series of black-and-white posts with reflective red features that would more normally be seen on roadsides. I can only imagine that the purpose of these is to keep walkers on the right path.
The weather was good and so I was able to spot the markers at regular intervals. The path was fairly easily visible, too, although it was quite muddy and boggy in places.
I could also see ahead to the bealach between my two summits. I confess I had slightly jaded legs from the hike the day before and so I felt my calves screaming at me during the steeper sections of my walk.
I stopped every so often to look back over my shoulder at the stunning views of Loch Leven below and the mountains of Lochaber spread out behind.
The bealach featured a large cairn in the form of a shelter. I decided to head for the Corbett first, so I walked east. Again, the route was quite obvious thanks to a path. It is quite unusual to find such an obvious path on a Corbett but I welcomed it.
The 1.5km ascent to Mam na Gualainn followed a lesser gradient and, around half-way up, I spotted another walker. Again, it is quite rare to meet other people on Corbetts and Fionas, especially on a week-day. When I caught up with the walker, I stopped to chat and discovered an older man who had been working his way through the Corbetts for decades since completing a round of Murnos when he was much younger. He told me he doubted he would finish the Corbetts list but he was happy to be still hiking in Scotlands’ mountains.
I pushed on to the summit at 797m, where there is a trig pillar, and enjoyed a bite to eat looking out at the fabulous views all around.
There is a great ridge route further east along Mam na Gualainn (joining with the iconic West Highland Way above Kinlochleven) and I’m sure I would have enjoyed that if I had, had more time. (An alternative way to access the summit is via the WHW).
Mam na Gualainn to Tom Meadhoin
My plan, however, was to bag the Fiona, Tom Meadhoin, as well, so I retraced my steps downhill and back to the bealach cairn.
From here, I headed west. At first I could not see a path and so I tramped over rough vegetation. Higher up the slope, a trod and path became more visible amid the thick grass. The top at 622m is marked by a small cairn.
The route back to my van was to follow the same path and trod back to the bealach and then down the steep slope in a southerly direction back tot he roadside.
The whole route was completed in a moving time of three hours and 15 minutes, plus about 40 minutes of stops for food and to look at the views. It’s a great route to do if you have only half a day of time available.
Route detais: Mam na Gualainn & Tom Meadhoin
Distance: 12km
Total ascent: 972m