Loch Coire Fionnaraich, Loch an Eoin and Loch Coire an Ruadh-Staic Loop

This is a long, wild Highland circuit through the Coulin and Achnashellach hills, linking three remote lochs beneath the flanks of Maol Chean-dearg and An Ruadh-stac. Expect roughly 20 km / 12.4 miles with about 600 m / 1,970 ft of ascent, which fits a solid medium day for experienced walkers but can feel harder in poor weather because much of the route is exposed, quiet, and far from quick escape options. The usual start is the gravel lay-by near Coulags Bridge, opposite Achnashellach railway station, Achnashellach, Highland IV54 8YH, just off the A890. Local route information for Lochcarron describes parking at the lay-by west of Coulags Bridge, and Achnashellach station is a ScotRail stop on the Kyle of Lochalsh line. (lochcarron.org.uk)

The character of the walk is less about a single summit push and more about a grand circuit through corries, stalkers’ paths, lochside traverses, and broad mountain scenery. The terrain is varied: a straightforward start on estate tracks and right-of-way paths, then rougher and sometimes fainter ground as the loop swings around the higher basins. Under dry conditions it is a very rewarding route-finding day; after rain, burns, peat, and boggier sections can slow progress considerably. Using HiiKER beforehand is worthwhile for checking the line of the loop and identifying the less obvious transitions between the glens and lochside paths.

Getting to the start

By car, the simplest approach is via the A890 between Strathcarron and Achnasheen, using the lay-by by Coulags Bridge near Achnashellach station. Parking is limited and informal, so arrive early and park carefully without blocking estate access. (lochcarron.org.uk)

By public transport, Achnashellach station is the key access point. It is managed by ScotRail and served by trains on the Kyle of Lochalsh line. From the station area, the walk begins almost immediately at the roadside lay-by and bridge. Because this is a remote rural station, services are limited, so timings should be checked carefully before committing to the route. (scotrail.co.uk)

The opening section heads in on a good path beside the Fionn-abhainn, giving a relatively gentle start while the mountains build around you. This early stretch is useful for settling into the day before the route becomes more committing. One notable landmark comes quite early: Coire Fionnaraich bothy, a former stalker’s cottage dating from the 1800s, which gives the route an immediate sense of Highland estate history. Several route descriptions of the area note the bothy and the right-of-way leading up the glen toward Coire Fionnaraich. (fionaoutdoors.co.uk)

Beyond the bothy, the route continues deeper into Coire Fionnaraich, with the landscape becoming more enclosed and dramatic. Loch Coire Fionnaraich itself sits in a high catchment below surrounding summits, with elevations in the basin rising toward the 900 m range around Maol Chean-dearg. The loch and corrie are classic products of Highland glaciation, and the shape of the land is one of the most memorable parts of the day: steep-sided hollows, water-polished rock, and broad sweeps of moor and scree. (uwmn.uk)

Through the corries and lochs

As the loop climbs toward the bealach and upper lochans, the walking becomes more serious. This is where weather matters most. In mist, the broad corrie rims and subtle path junctions can be confusing, and the descent line toward Loch Coire an Ruadh-Staic is often described as less obvious than the approach. The reward is a striking change in scenery: the route moves from open glen into a more rugged mountain bowl beneath the crags associated with An Ruadh-stac, where rock architecture and lochside views become the dominant features. (lochcarron.org.uk)

Loch Coire an Ruadh-Staic is one of the visual highlights of the circuit. The surrounding crags rise sharply, and the mountain’s western and northern faces are known for their