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Steven Fallon Scottish Mountain Routes
Steven Fallon Scottish Mountain Routes
 
  beinn bhuidhe
munros Beinn Bhuidhe (948m, Munro 216)

ascent 1025m (3,350 ft)
 
distance   17km (10.5 miles)
 
time running+biking : 1:55hr, walking : 6hr*
 *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent



main route summary

Beinn Buidhe is a hill to leave for a fine day. The views from the summit are excellent, but long approaches and sections of flat, pathless, grass and tussock covered ground will have you getting lost in misty conditions. This munro sits just west of the northern end of Loch Lomond, so in theory could be accessed from various points. The easiest accesses are however made from the south, via Glen Shira or Glen Fyne. Both these glens have fine roads and tracks heading up them that are cyclable and both have pros and cons with regard to accessing the munro. Glen Fyne can be cycled up to the base of a short walk (3km) to reach the summit, however as the track reaches a gate, cyclists are 'encouraged' to leave bikes and walk an extra 500m. Highland cattle are also present on the route, which may be a problem if you're taking a dog. Glen Shira is longer, however, although there's a sign at the start of the road up, I've had no problem driving 6km up it. You takes your pick !


profile
location
start/finish Head of Loch Shira (grid ref : NN111103)

maps/guides  1 OS Landranger, 1 OS Explorer map :
OS Landranger 56 - click to buy from Amazon OS Explorer 360 - click to buy from Amazon OS Explorer 364 - click to buy from Amazon Pocket Mountains - Southern Highlands - click to buy from Amazon

GPX data download GPX file of this route

terrain
easy Road, then some thick forest, thereafter grass difficult
navigation
easy Good road in and obvious route to crest, but if misty, navigation/timing will be required on tops testing
effort
stroll Cycle to cut down effort long day
scenery
ok Good views in all directions from summit, glens pleasant too stunning
main route outline

Getting there
Both routes start from the A83, east of Inverary. A large car-park is provided for parking at the head of Glen Fyne. Parking at the head of Glen Shira is obvious, although you could try and drive up the glen for 6km where there is parking for 2 or 3 cars.

Ben Bhuidhe via Glen Shira
My prefered choice ! Just north-east of Inverary, a road heads up Glen Shira from the head of Loch Shira. It is possible to drive up this, but this is discouraged by no-entry signs at the glen entrance - so if you're stopped driving up here, don't tell the landowner I told you to do so ! Head up the glen for 6km, past the firing ranges and farms to where a gate blocks access to the forestry land. There is room to park 2 or 3 cars. Beyond the gate, cycle for another 3km up a tarmac'd road to a bridge over the Brannie Burn and leave your bike here. Cross the bridge, then enter the forest directly ahead. There is no escaping the initial thick forest and undergrowth, but follow the burn and a fire-break opens the forest up. Up by the burn and fire-break to open hillside and note the terrain and position of the fire-break in relation to the rest of the forest for the descent later. Turn west, and ascend, occasionally steep, grass covered ground. Pass under a line of wooden pylons, then over a fence-line and start to pick up signs of a faint path. The path becomes more distinct as Tom a'Phiobaire is reached, from where it's a pleasant, if long, walk following the path over several minor tops to finally attain Beinn Buidhe's main summit. The trig-point has long been broken from its base and there isn't much in the way of shelter on windy, wet days. On fine days the views are superb though.

Return
You could just return the way you came up. Alternatively, particularly on days when wind and rain are blowing from the west (ie most days), you could try a quick exit down to Brannie Burn. To do this, from the summit, initially head east along the obvious worn path for a few metres, then turn south. Drop down 100m or so on very steep, grassy ground, then as the ground flattens turn south-west and pick up, and follow one of the Brannie Burn's sources. The ground is easy under foot and once the forest is reached a faint path can be picked up to follow to a track that continues back to the bridge over the Brannie Burn. The freewheel downhill makes the effort required for the uphill cycle worthwhile.



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