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Take Care Out There.

Quinag Three

Quinag Three
Sail Gharb [NC209292, 808]
Sail Gorm [NC198304, 776]
Spidean Coinich [NC206277, 764]
OS map : 15
start : Summit of the A894
gridref : NC232272
summary : A894 Summit - Sail Gharb - Sail Gorm - Spidean Coinich - A894 Summit
distance : 13.5km.
ascent : 850m.
time taken : 5hr. 40min.

View of Sail Gharbh from road

©richardchewphotography.com

Sail Ghorm

©paul.sammonds.com

the route up.

©walkforum.co.uk

Quinag is the name give to the collection of summits to th west of the A894 between Loch Assynt and Kyesku. These are relativly easily accessed as the start is at the top of the pass, and there are good paths on these hills. Being Assynt hills these three peaks stand out as individual summits. The views are great, especially from Sail Gorm with good views to the north; but the other two peaks still have spectacular hills. From sea level Quinag has different looks from each side, a truly spectacular range; one of the hrandest hills in this area and indeed the UK. And, that is despite the fact that Quinag is just a Corbett!

There is a disused quarry of the est of the road near to the summit of the pass with ample parking for many cars.

From the parking space, over the road there is a good stalkers path. The route is aiming for Bealach a Chornaidh. Follow the path into the coire turning the lochan on the north edge. Follow around the lochan and ascend more steeply to the bealach. From here turn north to climb to the nameless top at the centre of Quinag at NC200198. From here, turn right, east to ascend Sail Ghrbh. The ridge is easy to follow to the trig point that marks the summit. (5kms. 550m. 2hrs. 40min.)

Turn back and follow the ridge back to the top at the centre of the two Quinag ridges. Now follow the ridge north to Sail Gorm. Again this is fantastic ridge walking, with a path along the top of the ridge and no difficulty. (2.5kms. 200m. 1hrs. 10min.)

Again return to the central top of the ridges. This is another retrace of the uphill route but is the last. This time continue over the top bck to the bealach. From here the southerly ridge is followed to the summit of Spidean Coinich. The first part of the climb from the bealach is rocky and a bit more of a scramble but nothing to get concerned about. (3kms. 100m. 1hrs. 10min.)

Now to return to the road. The lower slops of Sppidean Coinich are typically slabs and great walking unless it is wet, when they can be slippy - depending on footwear. Initailly the route desends steeply, keeping the rock on the left. A small level area of the ridge is now found. From here there is a constant and even slope all the way back to the starting point. There is a bit of a path on the left edge of these slopes but do not journey too far left as the ground gets steeper. At the bottom start to turn left to get directly back to the car park. (3kms. 0m. 1hrs. 0min.)