We went that way in 2011, having stopped in Cougie for lunch after camping W end of Loch Affric the first night out from Shiel Bridge. Val (sadly missed) deputed one of the children (no doubt no longer a child) to show us exactly where the path started. Thereafter it was straightforward up, without much of a path, just up, and, as others have said, easy to follow the watercourse down to the wood.

That, however, was where the problems started. It didn't seem straightforward to continue down the watercourse but there was a track into the forest. Which of course we followed optimistically but which of course didn't last. After quite a long time wandering around we eventually forced our way back to the Allt na Muic, which, with my smattering of Gaelic, I had dubbed "a pig of a burn". We had a B&B booked in Dalreichart, with evening meal. They had eaten it themselves as we were so late, but did us some beans on toast.

I can't see any reason you shouldn't do it. Being navigationally challenged is something that can happen to anybody at any time, but this route in itself is not specially challenging. Good luck!

Vanessa

Hi Nigel

I see you have had plenty of good feedback here, but I will just add that the route over the Bealach and off piste to Alt Na Muic was precisely the one recommended by our vetter, so whilst my advice as a first timer is sketchy at best (!) I'm sure Roger's is not!
Alt Na Muic from Cougie was in fact our original plan, with a halt near Balnacarn south of the forestry and before the road (having previously read Andrew's description--thank you Andrew), but the route we eventually submitted instead included a change to head from the Bealach FnG towards Beinn Bhan and the LRT directly south to Torgyle Bridge. After hearing back from Roger who kindly vetted our route and suggested instead the Alt na Muic option, we are now back to plan A. We too are headed out from Loch Affric--Maybe we will see you en route!

Happy trails,
Martha

Wow thanks for all the advice, my mind it made up and going to change my first route to go this way. If the weather is good (aka 2018:sweat_smile: ) may route over Carn a Choire Ghlais & Carn a Choire Leith. There are some waterfalls down the Allt an Muic so plan to find a camp in that general area, google earth shown up a few spots.

Martha.
Looks like are routes cross, we will be heading out from top Loch Affric day 3 (Sun)!!

Coincidentally I was just looking at this as a FWA - interesting; thanks.