This trek is one of my favorites. The Falls Of Glomach are one of Britain’s tallest waterfall at 370 feet high. The falls are isolated from any tourism and a long trek of several miles and a tough ascent are required to reach the secluded gorge where they fall thunderously in the desolate silence of the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
The National Trust Of Scotland now look after and own the surrounding estate and have looked after the falls and the paths leading to them without damaging the remoteness and beauty of the area. You will no doubt see wild deer on the higher ground and an abundance of wildlife in the glens below. The long trek in to the falls is a journey you will never forget and once you get there you’ll be over whelmed by the huge waterfalls.
From the A87 main road to Kyle Of Lochalsh the smaller old road leads off at Shiel Bridge and leads to the small hamlet of Morvich. Morvich is a very small place these days, since the main road now goes over a new bridge closer to the loch. However it is home to the excellent Kintail Mountain Rescue team, who cover a large area of the north western Highlands including the area of this trek. There is a small car parking area in Morvich at the Kintail Countryside Centre, although space is limited and the locals are too fond of people parking anywhere they like so do make sure you try and get there early as possible.
From the Kintail Countryside Centre follow the track road that follows the course of the River Croe towards Inchnacro, then cross the wooden bridge over the River Croe and take the path that continues forward, avoiding the track to the right. The path is well sign posted here as you are passing over properties before leading out into the glen so do be careful not to disturb the locals or there animals whilst crossing there land. The path will pass Innis a Chrotha before eventually becoming more faint and heading towards the glen.
The path now leads through the fields that sweep off of the side of Beinn Bhuidhe high up above the waters of the Abhainn Chonaig as it runs through the floor of the glen to your left down a steep drop. As you near the end of the glen the Dorusduain Wood appear over the valley to your left. At Gob Na Roinne a footpath leads off from the main path towards the river often signposted to the falls. Take this path and it will lead through the trees to a steep and often rocky drop towards the river before crossing the wooden footbridge.
The waters of the Allt Choinnechain meet the Abhainn Chonaig at this point and the waters here are a real treat. The path leads up after the footbridge and to a track that is used for the forest plantations. On your right hand side is a gate with a field behind it. Follow the track through the field and out of the other side, this track will then continue on for another mile or so until it eventually starts to climb up with the river and through the opening of the Dorusduain Wood. Keep heading north along the track as it crosses a metal bridge over the river and then degrades as it gets higher.
Three Favorite Walks
- Ben More via A’Chioch Walk – Click here to View
- Falls of Glomach from Morvich – Click here to View This Route
- Tryfan The North Ridge – Click Here To View This Route
- The Glyders via Bristly Ridge – Click Here To View This Route
- High Carneddau from Ogwen Valley – Click Here To View This Route
You will eventually end up at a jaw dropping site as the waters of Allt Mam an Tuirc and the Allt an Leoid Ghaineamhaich fall through tall cascading waterfalls into each other. At this point cross the small bridge over one of the streams and follow the now not so clear path that snakes its way up the lower slopes of An t-Sroin ahead. The path will then turn off in a easterly direction and climb through a beautiful and for some reason name less glen. At the bottom of the steep sided glen is a gorge through which the waters of the Allt an Leoid Ghaineamhaich tear down from the huge mountains above. The small waterfalls that drop into the streams at the top of the glen are great and the wild deer that surround you on the hillsides really add to the sense of remoteness.
After a long climb the path bends round to the left towards the end of the glen and heads into the Bealach na Sroine. Bealach is a gaelic term meaning a pass between two mountains, similar to the world Col. Bealach na Sroine is quite a desolate place at 1700 feet above sea level it is the highest part of the trek. Care should be taken when passing over the Bealach in the winter as its sheltered location between the surrounding mountains can make it a dangerous place in cold weather. Meall Dubh on the right hand side of you now is a high mountain at 2585 feet however to the South East is the huge munro of A’Ghlas-bheinn at 3012. There are a number of munros visible on the walk including the tops of the five sisters of Kintail.
From Bealach na Sroine follow the path on its 600 foot descent down to the top of the Falls Of Glomach. There is a path leading down to the falls which in winter can be treacherous so care should be taken when tackling it to see the falls. Although the falls are a spectacular image at 370 feet high, they aren’t the easiest to picture as they are so hidden deep in the gorge and the view point is so close thus not allowing a wide angle for a picture. The falls are spectacular after a good rainfall and majestic when icy as the edges of the fall tend to make unique ice sculptures that will fascinate you.
The return journey is the same as the in journey. The initial ascent required back up to Bealach na Sroine can be quite a task however this is the only ascent of the journey as from here on you will now be descending all the way back down to Morvich. The views are just as impressive on the way back, especially at the end of a day when the sun goes down over the mountains ahead and shines through the glens.
Hiking IN The UK 2020 