Has anyone ever included the Applecross-peninsula in his/her Challenge route?
I am trying to figure out if a start in Applecross-bay (which has much more of a west coast feeling) would be possible. Any ideas or tips very much appreciated!

Hi Bart,

Can really recommend Applecross as a start point! Started from there on my 2008 Challenge walk. Getting there is a bit tricky but not an impossibility. Boarded then the 12:49 bus from Strathcarron to Torridon, bid farewell to my puzzled Challenge buddies at Tornapress and after a short stroll managed a lift over Bealach na Ba down to Applecross. It´s a truly atmospheric place. In blazing sunshine the land & the sea feel more like the Aegean than the Scottish Highlands & Islands. The local pub sits by the seafront and serves good-quality food. The campsite is a green oasis with a laid-back atmosphere.

Here´s the route I followed on the first day:
Applecross - Hartfield - Srath Maol Chaluim - track from NG 748 493 - ascending Beinn Bhan via NW ridge - dropping down via SE ridge - Kishorn road - Tornapress (there´s now a Cafe) - A896 to Couldoran - Loch an Loin - Glasnock (wild camp nearby)

The ridge walk over Beinn Bhan offered spectacular views in all directions and was the highlight of my TGOC 2008 crossing.

Go for it!

Markus

Would that be out of bounds?

Thanks very much Markus for your encouraging recommendation!

And Stormin: if I read the event details correctly, the whole Applecross-peninsula is within TGO Challenge perimeters.

Seems so Bart:+1:

Hi Bart,
Nice to see you look at an adventurous start. Way back in 2004, Chris Peart and I started from Applecross, albeit a couple of days early, the official start being from Torridon. We took slightly different routes as we wanted different hills but, in essence, we went through by the River Applecross and Allt an t-Srathain to Shieldaig, thence by road for 3k and tracks from Badan Mhugaidh to the Loch Torridon Hotel.

As Markus says, getting there is a bit of a challenge in itself, with a lack of public transport. We were lucky enough to have a lift there from a friend who was visiting the area.

If you do set out from there, it's actually a superb way to begin the event, from a lovely west coast village with excellent pub, then through unfrequented glens.

Hope to see you in May

Colin

Hi Bart
I agree it would be a great place to start. I am starting from Ardrishaig this year which, to me, is not on the west coast, so I shall be starting at Crinan. It was the same with Acharacle.

There is a bus to Applecross on Wednesdays (also Saturdays) at 15:00 from Inverness getting in at 18:15, so you could start there on Thursday and sign out at Torridon on Friday. Check on the Traveline Scotland website if you need to book the last part. Service 504 operated by Lochcarron Garage.

Enjoy!

Colin and Vanessa, thanks a lot for your helpful comments.
Applecross it is going to be! Still have to decide to sign out in Torridon or Strathcarron.

BART