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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 !


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.

Beinn 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 the sign 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.

alternatives

Via Glen Fyne
From the head of Loch Fyne, two roads head up Glen Fyne. If you are intending to cycle and want an easy life, take the road up the eastern side of the River Fyne to the bridge over it - this road is tarred all the way. If you want a bit of dirt on your tyres, or are walking, head up the western side. This track is quieter, though muddy in bits, especially around the gravel pit. Beyond the bridge the road continues past some houses, then becomes a track. Further on, the track is blocked by a gate and cyclists are asked to leave bikes by the stands provided. The Scottish Countryside Access Code does not require you to do this ! Into the forest, continue for just over 1km, to the house at Inverchorachan. Just beyond this, through a gate, a path heads off left, directly uphill, following the south bank of the burn coming down from Beinn Buidhe. Follow this obvious path up to around c600m. The path disappears into the wet grass ground, just head for Meall an Daimh, from where a faint path heads north up to Beinn Buidhe's crest, just east of the summit. From the crest an obvious worn route will lead you to the cairn and demolished trig point.

Total distance : 19km (12m), total ascent : 975m (3,200ft)