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Glen Beasdale

  • Views from the head of Glen Beasdale
  • The Start of the Walk
  • The Path through the Oak woods
  • The Path across the Heath
  • Where the Upper and Lower Paths Diverge
  • Glenbeasdale Burn
  • The Path by Glenbeasdale Burn
  • One of the Waterfalls on Route
  • Glenbeasdale Burn and views from the head of the Glen
  • Glenbeasdale Burn strewn with Boulders

Details

A lovely walk through oak wood and onto open heath, following the Beasdale Burn towards Bealach a Mhama.  Stunning views of the surrounding hills of Aodam an t Sidhein Mhoir and  Sidean Mor to the north, Drium Fiaclach and Glac Ruadh to the south and Beinn na Caorachand Beinn nan Cabar to the east.  Scattered clumps of oak and birch cloak the lower slopes, or cling to the steep upper slopes, or are confined to gullies, contrasting with bare, exposed rock.

The oaks are strewn with epiphytic bryophytes and lichens, with an understory of heather (Calluna vulgaris), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), hard fern (Blechnum spicant) and purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea).

The heath is composed of ling and bell heather (Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix and E. cinerea), Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), bog myrtle (Myrica gale), with devil’s bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), cotton grass (Eriophorum ssp) and a variety of sedges and rushes in the wetter areas.      

Rocky outcrops and boulders are encrusted with white, green and grey lichens.       

Look out for redstart, whitethroat, black cap, chiffchaff,  wood warblers, coal and blue tits, woodpecker  and woodcock in the oakwoods;  linnet, stonechat on the open heath;  and raptors  including golden eagle and peregrine falcon) and ravens in the hills.  Check out the burn for dippers, sandpipers, and otters.

Look out on route for the tracks, signs and possible sightings of red deer, roe deer, stoat, weasel, pine marten, badger, and wild cat. 

The path can be a little indistinct in places, and very boggy.  There are also several stream- crossing on route using stepping stones.  Waterproof foot ware is essential. 

A lovely walk in Morar with fabulous views easy accessible from Moidart and the Ardnamurchan.

Route Details

1. The walk starts from a metal gate just east of Beasdale Station.  Park by the metal gate at the start of the walk or in nearby layby to the south of start point. 

Pass through the metal gate and ascend through an oak wood. Following a faint path/track as it ascends gradually through the oak woodland before descending to cross a small burn.

2. Take the left path immediately after crossing the burn, onto open heath.   The path is very boggy bout generally well defined.    The path heads towards the far end of the Glen, affording fabulous views of the surrounding hills on route.

3. Keep right by a small knoll with an exposed outcrop on the left, following a narrow path.  This path follows Beasdale Burn, which emerges ahead as a ‘meander loop’.  On reaching the burn, cross another small stream and continue to follow the faint path, with Beasdale Burn on your right, through wet grassland (with sedges and rushes) and interspersed with bog pools.

The path skirts right of another knoll covered with heather, before crossing another stream. 

4. Pass through a gap in a drystone wall, after which the path is well defined and stony.  Follow the path as it heads gently uphill, skirting Beasdale Burn and heading towards a waterfall in the distance.

5. Once passed the waterfall, cross another stream and continue on the path, taking time to enjoy the fabulous views.

Continue passed another waterfall, heading to a gully at the head of the valley, crossing a few more streams on route.

6. The walk stops where the path crossed Beasdale Burn at the top of the gully.  If you wish you can continue to climb to Bealach a Mhama or turn back at this stage. 

7. Return by the same route heading down the Glen and keeping close to Beasdale Burn.  Alternatively, you can opt to stay on the higher ground for a longer distance by following the path that keeps right of the knoll with the rock outcrop. 

Both routes eventually meet up just beyond the knoll to join the outbound route.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM716852

Links to useful information

  • Glen Beasdale SAC Wildlife Page

grade: 

  • moderate

terrain: 

track and boggy path

length: 

5.2km (3.25 miles)

Type: 

  • there and back

Map: 

OS Explorer 398 - Mallaig

OS Map

>>view map in full window

Google Map

Safety

Route details and information are provided in good faith.  All walking is potentially dangerous and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are properly dressed and equipped, have a map and compass, have checked and planned your route in advance and are able to navigate effectively.  Maps displayed on these walking pages are intended as an overview of the walk and are NOT suitable for navigation.  Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and respect landowners and residents' privacy.  Always check the weather forecast and let others know if you are walking in the hills.

Walking

  • Walking Overview
  • Map of All Walks
  • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
  • Arisaig, Mallaig and Glenfinnan
  • Fort William and Glen Nevis
  • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
Booking.com
Booking.com

Holiday Cottages in Fort William and Lochaber

Lime Tree An Ealdhain
Lime Tree An Ealdhain

The Lime Tree An Ealdhain Hotel is a small hotel with award winning restaurant and an art gallery on the west end of Fort William.  The hotel has 9 rooms, all ensuite with bath or shower.  Loch LInnhe is just across the road, and the shoreline along the promenade to Fort William is a good place to look out for otters!

Tides - Mallaig


Arisaig Mallaig Glenfinnan Walking Pages

  • Ardnish and Peanmeanach
  • Bourblach Beach at Morar
  • Camusdarach Beach and Beyond
  • Fassfern
  • Glen Beasdale
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct and Station
  • Glenfinnan Viewpoints
  • Larachmhor Garden Walk
  • Loch a Bhada Dharaich
  • Loch an Nostarie and Mallaig
  • Loch Morar
  • Mallaig Circular
  • Prince Charlie's Cave and Borrodale Beach
  • Strath of Arisaig & Camas Ghaoideil

Glencoe

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Glencoe and Loch Leven

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Walking

Walking

Take a Walk on The Wild Side...

with over 100 wildlife focused walks across Lochaber, you'll be spoilt for choice

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Fort William

Fort William

Fort William, The Outdoor Capital

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Wildlife

wildlife

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Home to Scotland's Big Five, red deer, golden eagle, otter, red squirrel, seals and so much more. A Wildlife Adventure Awaits.

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Ardnamurchan

West Highland Peninsulas

Ardnamurchan and The West Highland Peninsulas

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Activities

Activities

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kayaking, wildlife watching, cruising, cycling, golfing, climbing, skiing, slow adventures and many more things to do

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Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

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Day Trips

Day trips

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Take off for the day to see the puffins on The Treshnish Isles, A Day trip to Mull, Skye, The Small Isles, The Most westerly point on the mainland and many more local ideas for a day out

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