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Munros
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Beinn Dorain (1076m, Munro 64)
Beinn Mhanach (953m, Munro 211)
Beinn a'Chreachain (1081m, Munro 61)
Beinn Achaladair (1038m, Munro 94)
Beinn an Dothaidh (1004m, Munro 129)
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Ascent
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2560m (8,400ft)
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Distance
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28km (17.5m)
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Time
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walking : 11:15hr*, running : 5:45hr
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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Main route summary
Starting from the Bridge of Orchy railway station, this is a terrific hill-walking circuit, taking in five Munros.
All the summits are fine view points, each with a different view.
The slopes of Beinn Dorain sweep directly up from the West Highland Way to form a conical mountain, unmistakable when driving up from the south.
It has two large cairns on its summit to confuse walkers in mist !
Beinn Mhanach is a quiet hill, hidden for the most part from the roadside.
The impressive mountains of Beinn a'Chreachain and Beinn Achaladair form the northern ramparts of this circuit upon which high-level wide ridge walking can be savoured.
Beinn an Dothaidh, the last hill in the circuit, presents the finest views northwards towards the Mamores and Ben Nevis.
Be prepared for a real peat-boggy start to your outing particularly after rain and, if heading out in winter snow and ice, the eastern approach up Beinn Achaladair may require axe and crampons.
Finish the day off with a pint back in the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.
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profile
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location
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start/finish
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Bridge of Orchy
(grid ref : NN300394)
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maps/guides
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GPX data
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download GPX file of this route
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| terrain |
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easy |
| difficult |
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| navigation |
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easy |
| testing |
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| effort |
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stroll |
| long day |
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| scenery |
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ok |
| stunning |
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| meanings |
Beinn Dorain :
'hill of the streamlet'
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Beinn Mhanach :
'monks' hill'
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Beinn a'Chreachain :
'scallop-shaped hill'
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Beinn Achaladair :
'hill of the field by the hard water'
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Beinn an Dothaidh :
'hill scorching'
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| main route outline | print route |
Getting there
These hills are best accessed from Bridge of Orchy, 10km north of Tyndrum on the A82. Although parking by hillgoers at Bridge of Orchy Station is discouraged, there is room for several cars. Other parking is available in a large car-park by Bridge of Orchy Hotel.
Beinn Dorain
From the railway station car-park, cross the train-line via the underpass. Through a gate, cross the West Highland Way and head up a path around the left of the phone mast. Usually mucky and wet, the path can be icy in winter making for slippy progress. The path, mucky all the way and downright boggy in bits, continues up to Coire an Dothaidh and to the bealach at 744m. At the bealach cairn, turn south-west-south and follow a path uphill. After around 300m of ascent and 1.5km, a large well built cairn is met - in mist you might take this to be Beinn Dorain's summit - it's not ! Continue south for a few more minutes, down and up a dip and the main summit is reached. Stunning views in all directions and it's amazing how near the A82 appears below.
Beinn Mhanach
Return to the large cairn on Beinn Dorain's north top, then turn east following a wide ridge. After around 300m, start heading north-east, downhill over a short section of scree followed by grassy wet ground to pick up a burn that flows to the Allt Coire a'Ghabhalach at around c500m. After an undemanding crossing of the river (unless in spate), contour below Coire a'Ghabalaich over more grassy wet ground to meet the track below Beinn a'Chuirn. Follow the track up, over a burn and walk around the north side of Beinn a'Chuirn to the bealach between Beinn 'Chuirn and Beinn Mhanach (the direct route up to Beinn a'Chuirn is loose and steep, therefore not recommended unless you are out "top-bagging"). From this bealach aim directly east over easy ground and a faint path to Beinn Mhanach's summit.
Beinn a'Chreachain
Return to the bealach between Beinn Mhanach and Beinn a'Chuirn, then aim north-west downhill over grassy ground to pick up a burn to follow to the Allt Cailliche. Cross this river (unproblematic) and one or two other burns, then aim uphill for Garbh Mheall, the south arm of Meall Buidhe. Once on Meall Buidhe, pick up and follow the path heading north-east to the bealach below Beinn a'Chreachain. Continue up bouldery ground to the summit ridge, then turn south and follow the rim of the coire to reach the cairn on the summit to take in superb views over Rannoch Moor and beyond.
Beinn Achaladair
Return to Meall Buidhe, then continue following the path south-west over easy ground to the mucky bealach below Beinn Achaladair. Cross the bealach and a dilapidated fence-line. Normally an easy walk up, the steep path from the bealach can be quite a challenge in icy conditions, especially if snow covered. Once levelled-out ground is reached the going is straight-forward to Beinn Achaladair's cairns - the second being the summit.
Beinn an Dothaidh
Continue following the path heading south-west, then south, ascending a further top with a small cairn on its crest. After a further 1km heading south and downhill, the path starts to turn south-west and head towards the bealach above Coire Daingean. The path crosses the bealach and aims uphill on grassy ground to the south top of Beinn an Dothaidh. The main summit is a few minutes further on, down and up a dip, following the path.
Return
From the Beinn an Dothaidh's summit cairn head west to its western top and take in some final views for the day. Aim south then south-west-south downhill to pick up a path to follow to the bealach between Beinn an Dothaidh and Beinn Dorain, then return to Bridge of Orchy via the route up.
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The start up from Bridge of Orchy
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Heading up Beinn Dorain, Stob Gabhar hills beyond
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Beinn Dorain's summit from the first top
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Playing around on Beinn Dorain
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The classic view of Beinn Dorain from the A82
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A small memorial on Beinn Dorain's cairn, to Ian Thomson
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Beinn Mhanach with Stuchd an Lochain and Schiehallion behind
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Achaladair, Dothaidh and Dorain from Victoria Bridge
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Beinn a'Chreachain and Meall Buidhe with distant Ben Nevis
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Beinn an Dothaidh from Beinn a'Chreachain, Cruachan distant
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Looking down Glen Kinglass to the Ben Lui hills
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Winter sunset over Beinn Dorain with Ben Lui beyond
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A grassy route, quite often wet underfoot, returns along a decent track
Beinn Mhanach from Glen Kinglass Ascent : 1050m, distance : 19km
A long walk in following the Allt Kinglass, begins from the roadside where there is limited parking
The pair above Bridge of Orchy, doing a 'there-and-back' from the col at 744m
Achaladair and Chreachain from Achalladar Farm
Ascent : 1300m, distance : 13km
5km north of Bridge of Orchy on the A82 a track heading east leads to Achalladar Farm where there is ample parking. Follow the track from the farm that heads south and over the railway via a bridge. Continue up on a track and over wet ground towards Coire Achaladair. Turn east and strike directly uphill to reach the ground on Beinn Achaladair between its main summit and south top. Continue over Beinn Achaladair to Beinn a'Chreachain as described on left in reverse. From Beinn a'Chreachain return to the eastern top on Meall Buidhe, then head down grassy ground eastwards, aiming for the western edge of the forest. Cross the railway and pick up the track back to Achalladar Farm.
Beinn Mhanach from Glen Kinglass
Ascent : 1050m, distance : 19km
On the A82, 5km north of Tydrum, a private road leads down to Auch Farm. Roadside parking is difficult, butthere are some more spaces just to the north on the main road - do not drive down the private road ! From the A82, head down the private road, past the farm and along the track under the viaduct. Continue along the track, or alongside the eastern bank of river if in spate, to the foot of Beinn a'Chuirn. Climb directly uphill over steep and grassy ground to Beinn a'Chuirn's summit, then head north-east to the bealach and finally Beinn Mhanach. Return via the same route.
Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh
Ascent : 1275m, distance : 13km
Follow the main route described on above from Bridge of Orchy up to the summit of Beinn Dorain. Return to the bealach and pick up the path heading north to reach the first of three summit tops on Beinn an Dothaidh. 500m to the east of this cairn is the main summit. Return to the bealach and back to Bridge of Orchy the same way up.
North
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Above Loch Ossian
Take a train journey into this wonderful area which has seen significant investment in recent years
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East
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Above Loch an Daimh
Two very different munros and 3 corbetts. Fine views, with Meall Buidhe being an excellent vantage point to look over Rannoch
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South-east
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Glen Lochay circuit
A fine circuit taking in 5 munros and 3 corbetts. This route can be a serious undertaking, so perhaps split it into smaller chunks with the alternatives described
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South-west
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Glen Orchy Corbetts
Weird rock dykes with gold and fine runnable terrain on grass and by forest over 3 Corbetts
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West
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East of Loch Etive
Sitting above a fjord-like loch, Ben Starav is a dramatic peak. This with 4 other munros make for a superb outing
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| Hotels |
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The Crianlarich Hotel
A warm welcome with an emphasis on good, reliable service and an enjoyable stay. We have an excellent purpose-built boot-room for all your gear, there are cosy log-burning stoves for chilly times, WiFi is provided and there is a fascinating little bookshop.
www.crianlarich-hotel.co.uk
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Bridge of Orchy Hotel
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Inveroran Hotel
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| Food |
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The Real Food Cafe
The award winning Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum, the gateway to the highlands. Our mission is to create an outstanding cafe offering a range of delicious and popular, freshly prepared food in a welcoming vibrant environment.
www.therealfoodcafe.com
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Campsites,
Self Catering
& Hostels |
Strathfillan Wigwams
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Crianlarich Youth Hostel
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Pine Trees Leisure Park, Tyndrum
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