Allt Slugan before arriving at a partially collapsed old stone dam. Cross the river here – this is where the path marked on the OS Explorer map runs out. A short distance ahead, 180 metres above the corrie to the south-west, is the low point of the Bealach Bairc-mheall (466m) between Barkeval and Hallival. The path running directly up to the bealach isn't very obvious at first, but it keeps to the left of the burn that tumbles into the corrie.
Shortcut via Cnapan Breaca
For those not including Barkeval, a more distinct path skirts around the eastern side of the corrie as it climbs up to the shoulder of the Cnapan Breaca. Thereafter the path fades, but it is straightforward to climb south-south-west from here to the bealach below Hallival. This route provides no great advantage over climbing directly to the bealach.
From the bealach climb 110m north-west to the first cairn (575m) on the summit ridge of Barkeval. The summit proper is over 600 metres west beyond the first cairn. Continue west, passing around a couple of weathered basalt outcrops and pick up a vague path to the summit cairn (591m). Finding the summit can be tricky in poor visibility.
The superlative views south and south-east on to the main peaks of the Rum Cuillin, towering over the Atlantic Corrie, are reason enough to include Barkeval in the traverse. In clear conditions there are fine views south-west down Glen Harris, north-west to the rounded granite hills of Sròn an t-Saighdeir, Orval, Ard Nev and Fionchra and north to the Cuillin of Skye.
Heading east to the Bealach Bairc-mheall, from the summit of Barkeval – Hallival looms above the Atlantic Corrie
Retrace your route to the bealach, then follow the long, steadily rising ridge south-east to Hallival. From below, a band of cliffs – formed of a unique variety of gabbro known as allivalite – run around the summit and appear to present something of an obstacle. However, a route through these cliffs can be found without difficulty by keeping to the north-west ridge.
The summit is marked by a cairn and the views on a clear day are tremendous, particularly on to Askival and its impressive north ridge. Beyond Askival, the summits of Trollaval, Ainshval, Sgùrr nan Goibhrean and Sgùrr nan Gillean are visible.
From the cairn, continue initially south-west across the summit to begin the 120m descent to the bealach, following a path. To avoid steep crags on the south-east face, descend steeply following the faint path through rocky terrain on the west side of the ridge briefly before trending south-west again to continue down to the bealach. The path climbs a little over a rocky knoll before crossing the bealach and gaining the narrow, grassy north ridge of Askival.
Where the ridge arrives beneath the steep crags rising up to the summit on the north and north-west faces of the mountain, at around 650m, follow the path off the ridge as it skirts around Askival’s east flank, contouring and rising gradually at first before climbing more steeply and sinuously through rocky terrain to the summit – its upward progress marked by a number of small cairns. Numerous Manx shearwater burrows perforate the grassy slopes between the rock tiers on the mountain’s flanks. The summit is marked with a natural stone triangulation pillar encircled by a low shelter wall, and on a clear day the views over to Eigg, Ardnamurchan and Moidart are magnificent. The Dibidil Horseshoe route (Walk 2) joins the route here.
Alternative shorter walk: Hallival and Askival out and return from Kinloch
Follow the route description above as far as the summit of Askival. Retrace your route back down the north ridge of Askival to the bealach. From the bealach, descend 50m north-west into the Atlantic Corrie to around 550m then contour around beneath Hallival, finally descending around 90m to rejoin the Bealach Bairc-mheall. From the bealach retrace your route into the Coire Dubh then follow the Allt Slugan path back to Kinloch Castle.
From the summit of Askival, descend along the vague path which initially stays in the lee of the west ridge on its south side. As the path descends, it eventually joins the west ridge. The terrain is rocky in places, but the 360m descent to the Bealach an Oir (455m) presents no problems.
The bealach lies at the head of Glen Dibidil and the view south-east along the glen to Eigg, Muck and the mainland beyond is rather fine. On its north side, the bealach drops away into the immense amphitheatre of the Atlantic Corrie with views over to Barkeval and Hallival. To the south-west, forming the western flank of Glen Dibidil, are the imposing triumvirate of Ainshval, Sgùrr nan Goibhrean and Sgùrr nan Gillean.
Escape route
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