Description of Terrain

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The mountain terrain crossed by the race is potentially dangerous. It is

imperative that you take the utmost care when on the Paps.  Carelessness

could cause injury to others.  You are responsible for your own safe

navigation over the mountains.  The information below is a guide only. 

 

Craighouse to Dubh Bheinn: Proceed from the Distillery up the road

opposite the Village Hall and continue on up the road to the top near the

telephone exchange. Leave the road at this point to break off on to open

moorland, keeping to the right of the plantation. Though the gradient is

fairly moderate, the ground itself is very boggy in places to begin with.

Straight up a short steep ascent to pass Dubh Chreag.  Head via compass

bearing/trod direct to CP1 at the summit cairn/shelter of Dubh Bheinn.

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Dubh Bheinn to Glas Bheinn: Double back, then bearing left move

down the ridge passing some lochans and on up to the summit of

Glas Bheinn; a fast leg. Trust compass; reconnaissance useful.

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Glas Bheinn to Aonach Bheinn: Flat, fast ridge traverse to the west summit of Aonach Bheinn.

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Aonach Bheinn to Beinn a’Chaolais: Initially steep descent from Aonach Bheinn into Gleann Astaile to cross the burn.  Choose your own route up the 2,000 feet to the summit of Beinn a’Chaolais, or follow the trod up the green water streak, then heather and scree, nearly to the summit.

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Beinn a’Chaolais to Beinn an Oir: Steep descent to NE on worn out scree track (some grass) to saddle, then steep ascent up ridge to summit of Beinn an Oir.  Beinn a’Chaolais is a convex mountain and the direct line down would take you over crags.

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Beinn an Oir to Beinn Shiantaidh: The eastern side of Beinn an Oir, although steep, is not as treacherous.  Best descent is from low ruins at the end of an unusual boulder-track NE of summit cairn. Spring in hillside about 200 feet down.  The ascent of Beinn Shiantaidh from the pass (Imir an Aonaich) is steep but on sure ground; some worn trods and tracks; ascent eases off before the summit.

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Beinn Shiantaidh to Corra Bheinn: Beinn Shiantaidh is another convex mountain. Descent of N to NE side is very dangerous – with many crags a short way below the summit. Easily the best way is to descend SE flank for a few hundred feet on mainly small screes, then bear NE on screes and a rough trod to Lochanan Tana. Do not be tempted to bear left too soon high up - it's awful, and is banned anyway, as you would be crossing a SSSI. From the plateau, find a way up L or R (most popular) of the crags to the summit of Corra Bheinn.

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Corra Bheinn to Three Arch Bridge: Straightforward descent to Bridge over deer tracks and rough grassland, very wet in places. Most runners cross the Corran River and follow tracks on the S side to the Bridge. Pass under the bridge.

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Three Arch Bridge to Craighouse: The rest of the way lies along a 3.3 mile stretch of road which hugs Jura’s beautiful coastline.

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Click here to watch Across The Sound, a film by Alfie Smith and Louis MacMillan, follows the adventure of young hill runner Louis, from his home on the Keills Peninsula to the island of Jura to run the stunning route of the Jura Fell Race. The film was shot by young filmmaker Alfie, with music coming from the awesome bands Talisk and Fourth Moon.