peaks ascent distance time start/finish map	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) 2560m (8,400ft) 28km (17.5m) running : 5hr 45mins, walking : 8hr Bridge of Orchy Station (NN 300 394) OS landranger 50
main route summary A terrific circuit, taking in five munros. All the summits are fine view points, each with a different view, looking in another direction. Be prepared for a real peat-boggy start to your outing 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 in the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.
main route outline 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 summit cairn head west to the 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.

Zoomable OS 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps are here dorain and orchy area weblinks Get the local area weather forecast here See todays conditions on the nearby Kingshouse webcam Bar food and accommodation at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel    or the Inveroran Hotel Fuel, food and supplies at the Green Welly in Tyndrum alternatives Split the route into three shorter ones. Achaladair and Chreachain from Achalladar Farm 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 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 Follow the main route described on the left 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.

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