7. Coire Riabhach and Coire a' Bhàsteir

This path, starting of at the Sligachan Hotel is the main route for access to the North end of the Cuillin ridge, one of the most famous mountainscapes in Scotland including the munroes of Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir.

The most problematic section was over the flat moorland before the path begins to climb with large areas of waterlogged peatbog forcing users ever wider to try and find a dry, firm line. Increasing vegetation damage and loss of root structure resulted in large muddy areas spreading out from these poorly drained areas.

The first phase of repair work was undertaken in 1995, where along with cross path drainage and path definition a series of stone lined causeways were built to traverse the poorly drained sections.

Where the route meets Allt Dearg Beag the path splits into the Coire Riabhach path for an approach to the ridge from the south east and the Coire a' Bhàsteir path for those wishing to gain the west ridge between Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir.The problems on these sections of path were of gullying and soil wash out associated with steeper gradients.

Two projects in 2002 and 2003 tackled each route seperately with funding from Heritage Lottery Funding.

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