peaks ascent distance time start/finish map	Beinn Eunaich (989m, Munro 156) Beinn a'Chochuill (980m, Munro 172) Stob Daimh (998m, Munro 119) Ben Cruachan (1126m, Munro 31) Beinn a'Bhuiridh (897m, Corbett) 2100m (6,900ft) 18km (11m) running : 3:45hr, walking : 6hr castles farm on B8077 (NN 136 288) OS landranger 50
main route summary Some easy slogging up two munros, then some fine ridge walking, culminating in a tricky step just below the main summit of Ben Cruachan. Having a fairly isolated position, the long distant views from Ben Cruachan are superb. It does help to have a bike at Loch Awe, by St Conan's Kirk for the last 3km back to your car.
main route outline Getting there 3km west of Dalmally on the A85, there is a junction with the B8077- take this and park by the bridge on the west side of the Allt Mhoille. Parking is limited, so you might have to park nearer the junction. Beinn Eunach Cross the bridge and go through the gate up the track towards Castles Farm - there's usually quite a few cows and the occasional bull here. Just before Castles Farm, a track heads off left (north-west) through a couple of gates and starts to climb. After just over 1km, a small cairn marks the start of a steep path up the west side of Beinn Eunach's south shoulder. Ascend 250m, then the ground flattens and the path continues north, then north-east-north over grassy ground to the summit cairn. Beinn a'Chochuill From Beinn Eunach's summit, head initially west-north-west over some boulders and gravel towards the grassy bealach separating the two munros. A wide bealach, this dip can hold deep snow when winter drifts hit. Climb up a grassy ridge to a wide grass-covered area and turn west then north-west to head over easy ground to Beinn a'Chochuill's cairn. Stob Diamh Leave Beinn a'Chochuill and head south-west downhill over grassy ground, steepening on approaching the Lairig Noe. Head directly uphill, initially over wet slippy ground, then boulders on a steep slope and finally up loose gravel to reach the ridge west of the top Sron an Isean. Continue south-west down and up on a fine ridge to reach the small cairn on Stob Diamh. Ben Cruachan Pick up a good path zig-zagging west-south-west downhill to the bealach. The ground gets more bouldery as the path turns and heads for Drochaid Ghlas. This top can be by-passed, but by doing so, great views to Ben Cruachan and Taynuilt Peak will be missed. Continue south-west on bouldery ground to the next drop and a flat walk, before the rise that continues up Ben Cruachan. The path carries over steep bouldery ground with some occasional easy scrambling in bits on a fine ridge. A small drop is reached and a bad step downwards blocks the way. The rock is grippy, so with care, should present no problems in dry conditions. A bit more easy scrambling and the trig point is at last reached. Wonderful views are to be had in all directions, with the views all the way to Ben More on Mull and north up Loch Etive towards Ben Nevis being particularly stunning. Return A path leaves and zig-zags south down a boulder field to a small lochan (not marked on the map). Turn left, cross a fence-line and head directly down a well worn path into Coire Dearg. The path gets wet and slippy and really mucky further down as it reaches the track at Cruachan Reservoir. Follow the track to the dam, cross it and head down the hydro track back to the village of Loch Awe and a pavement most of the way along the road will take you back to the car.

Zoomable OS 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps are here cruachan and lochawe area weblinks Get the local mountain weather forecast here See todays conditions on the nearby Kingshouse    and Glencoe Ski Centre webcams Fuel, food and supplies at the Greenwelly in Tyndrum "The Real Food" cafe in Tyndrum website is here More local information on the Loch Awe Community website alternatives Split the route into two shorter ones, or add some more peaks. Beinn Eunach and Beinn a'Chochuill Climb over Beinn Eunach to Beinn a'Chochuill as detailed on the left. From Beinn a'Chochuill, return for just under 1km to just before the wide grass area, then head south to pick up a path that drops south-east. Reach the track, make a short cut by crossing it and pick it up again to follow back to Castles Farm. Ben Cruachan horseshoe and Beinn a'Bhuiridh Start from a good path just east of the Cruachan Visitor Centre, which crosses under the railway line and climbs steeply uphill, following the east side of the burn. Reach a bridge and head for the east end of the dam, then strike straight up Beinn a'Bhuiridh - excellent views south over Loch Awe from the summit. Walk east for a bit, then drop north over bouldery and grassy ground with no paths to the bealach before Stob Garbh. Pick up a good path to follow to Stob Garbh, then Stob Diamh. Continue around the rest of the horseshoe as described on the left and return to the dam and its west side. Cros the dam and then return down to the road the same way you came up. Taynuilt Peak (or Stob Dearg) and Meall Cuanal From Cruachan's main peak, head west down over bouldery, but straightforward ground and continue to the top of Taynuilt Peak. This is a fine peak with excellent views west. Return to the bealach, then contour around over more bouldery and loose ground to reach the path to follow down to the bealach between Ben Cruachan and Meall Cuanail and its small lochan. It's a short walk, following fence posts to the summit of Meall Cuanail. I think it's best to return north to the bealach and head down Coire Dearg to the track, since heading south from Meall Cuanail will take you through very wet grassy ground.

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