Advice needed: Hiking from Lochhournhead B&B to Shiel Bridge (early September, with elderly father) - best way to make it manageable.

[u/PartySpell5304]

Hi all,

My brother (34) and I (32) are planning a trip the first weekend of September with our dad (mid-70s), hiking from Lochhournhead B&B (Kinloch Hourn) over the hills to Shiel Bridge, to eventually catch a bus to Broadford on the Isle of Skye.

We’re going via one of the mountain routes (likely Bealach Aoidhdailean or similar), not by road, but our dad is a bit anxious about the distance and terrain. He’s active and experienced in the outdoors, but we want to make sure the route doesn’t become too much for him.

What we’re hoping to find out:

1. Is there a recommended hiking route from Kinloch Hourn to Shiel Bridge that’s realistic for someone in their 70s (with support from us)?

2. Would it be possible to exit the trail earlier, maybe around Malagan Bridge or somewhere closer to the A87 and catch a bus or just cut down the hike?

3. Are there Citylink request stops along the A87 where we could flag a bus to Broadford if we don’t make it as far as Shiel Bridge?

4. Any other tips for making the route safer or more manageable (e.g. direction, weather risks, escape points)?

We’ll be well equipped (maps, gear, etc.), just looking for smart ways to make the crossing less demanding for him while still getting to Skye.

Any advice from folks who’ve done the route or who know the bus stops along the A87 would be hugely appreciated.

Advice needed: Hiking from Lochhournhead B&B to Shiel Bridge (early September, with elderly father) best way to make it manageable?

Thanks so much in advance

[u/hikingben88]

So, depends if you want short or easier.

After a few days on knoydart and a walk out to kinlochhourn, I wanted a quicker way out without the technical or ascent of the forcan ridge (done it before and just needed to make it back really).

Woke up early, set off on a long walk up the road to the hydro track then up the glen and over the shoulder before dropping down to the Cluanie Inn.

There is ascent inevitably but not as much, not as steep or as technical as forcan ridge. From the Cluanie you can get the bus to shiel bridge (both are marked stops).

[u/hikingben88 → u/hikingben88]

So, depends if you want short or easier.

After a few days on knoydart and a walk out to kinlochhourn, I wanted a quicker way out without the technical or ascent of the forcan ridge (done it before and just needed to make it back really).

Woke up early, set off on a long walk up the road to the hydro track then up the glen and over the shoulder before dropping down to the Cluanie Inn.

There is ascent inevitably but not as much, not as steep or as technical as forcan ridge. From the Cluanie you can get the bus to shiel bridge (both are marked stops).

Rough route below. This was around 32km from memory but very easy walking except the first 2km out of the b&b and over the shoulder (under 1km).

[u/LuvvedIt → u/hikingben88]

You think this 32km route is the “quicker way” huh?

[u/hikingben88 → u/LuvvedIt]

Time wise it wasn’t dissimilar from when I walked the more direct route (much less ascent for starters), as the trail is so well defined the speed is much much quicker. But I wasn’t there to do the CWT, just to get back to the A87 as an exit for public transport.

[u/LuvvedIt → u/hikingben88]

It’s 30km and STILL ~600m of ascent (I just mapped it) which (using Naismith’s (metric) Rule of 4km/hour + 1hr/600m) = approx 8.5 hours.
Now yes arguably a good section is on easier road and trails. But you have to have the fitness to push your speed up….
My guess though is that a 70+ year old isn’t going to manage 5km/h consistently for hours even on easy ground.

The direct route is 17.5km + ~800m of ascent = ~6 hours. Although again arguably will they manage 4km/h on this terrain?
It is mostly paths. But not yes you’re right as easy as your other route. Even calculating at 3km/h = ~7.5 hours

Now the former arguably is easier - it’s certainly a mostly lower route. But for lots of people an extra 10km+ is not easier… 😏.
For some (especially fit and happy with easy distance) your route is a valid low level route and I can totally understand your choice; I’m just quibbling your original quicker claim! 😏

(Edited the direct route and timings (down) cos my mapping had added on an extra bit!)

[u/hikingben88 → u/LuvvedIt]

Yeah each to their own really. I find I am much quicker on the suggested terrain, it took me 7.5 hours with no real break and a very decent motivation to make a pre booked bus back to fort William.

Realistically, either route needs fitness, one is less technicality challenging.

[u/LuvvedIt]

This is difficult to answer sensibly and easily partially bc you just don’t actually seem to have any plan or route beyond start and end point (indeed you’re actually just asking for a route) despite there really being a limited number of ways from Kinlochhourn to Shiel Bridge and indeed some of your points contradict themselves, eg going via the Bealach Aoidhdailean means heading NW towards Glenelg so how would you then actually get to the A87 earlier than Shiel Bridge to pick up a bus?!

Also basics: in a day? Two (camping?)? Three?
You can surely look up the Citylink bus to find schedule and stops…?

I’m frankly concerned that you don’t have the basic ability to plan this at all…

[u/Either-Blackberry-46]

Probably the most walked route is the cwt route over the forcan ridge. It’s 17km with 950 meters evelavation gain and loss.

From kinlochourn there is a quad bike track til alt coire mhalagain. Then heading up the valley to the forcan ridge there is no path and can be boggy.

The top of the forcan ridge has a section that is a big boulders you have to climb over and around for 500m and then the path is better but very exposed.

Coming down off the ridge into coire coal is very steep and again no path. There is then a small sheep path down to sheil bridge.

This route has no obvious exit options other than keep walking or turn around. I’ve never walked the path down from meallan Odhar to malagan but the map looks steeper, so might be worth finding pictures or reports on that paths viability as an exit route.

The valleys and the ridge can both be very exposed to the wind and rain.

Whether it’s suitable for a 70yo is like asking how long is a piece of string. Depends on the 70 yo. If he is in good health and hikes a lot it might be fine, if he has limited mobility and poor endurance he won’t be fine.

You need to be able to easily climb over boulders and go up and down steep heather/grass slopes.

[u/LuvvedIt → u/Either-Blackberry-46]

Yep that’s probably by far the most direct and best route but you don’t actually go along the Forcan Ridge: from the bealach there is a good (if rocky and fairly recently rockfall splattered) path that contours/skirts below Sgùrr na Forcan to the bealach with Meallan Odhar…