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main route summary
With over 30km of distance and over 3000m of ascent on fairly rough pathless ground with some long sustained steep ascents, this route can be a serious undertaking. However the varied terrain and changing views keep the interest up and the route feels easier and takes less time than expected. In icy conditions Beinn Cheathaich's eastern side and Ben Challum's north-western arm can be slightly challenging. In mist getting to Beinn Heasgarnich's summit will require some careful navigation.


main route outline

Getting there
From Killin, drive north out of the village, cross the River Lochay, then turn left onto a narrow road with occasional passing places. Follow this road for 11km to its end where parking is available beside some curious cows and their feed.

Sgiath Chuill
Heading south from the car-park, cross the River Lochay via the bridge and follow the track through the felled wood to reach the hydro pipe. Follow the pipe up to the top of the track, go through a gate, then at the edge of the forest, turn left on a faint path over wet ground to a small dam. Cross the dam then continue uphill south-west over wet and heathery ground. A path appears as progress is made up the hillside, follow this to the small cairn on Meall a'Churain. Continue south over another top to the summit cairn of Sgiath Chuill, which is a fine spot to photo Ben More and Stob Binnein from.

Meall Glas
Retrace your steps north for 200m, then head off west down over steep grassy ground with occasional boulders and no path. The ground is engulfed in fairly deep heather over the wide bealach. Cross the burn, head uphill, aiming west-north-west just south of Beinn Cheathaich. A direct ascent of Beinn Cheathaich can be difficult in icy conditions, keeping to the south of the summit will avoid any of these. Reaching the ridge, a path is joined, which is followed over easy ground to the summit of Meall Glas.

Ben Challum
Leave Meall Glas's summit and aim south-west, the ground steepens and careful route selection is needed to avoid some crags. Turn west, the ground becomes easier and wetter, aim for the top of a track (not marked on my 2004 OS landranger map). Follow the track until it turns north, leave the track, cross a burn and reach the River Lochay. Cross the river then strike uphill, by first crossing a track (not marked on map) then trudging over wet grassy ground. As the ground levels out, it becomes drier and a faint path is picked up. Follow this path to Ben Challum's summit with its large cairn and great views.

Cam Chreag
Aim west-north-west down the north-west arm of Ben Challum, lower down iron posts are followed and a few steep rocky bits can be slightly problematic in ice. At Bealach Ghlas Leathaid, follow the line of fences north uphill over grassy ground. As the fences turn east, leave them and aim north towards Cam Chreag's ridge. On the ridge, turn north-west and continue over some bumps to the corbett's summit.

Creag Mhor
About turn and continue for ˝km and look left for the route down, there is no path, but the route is fairly obvious and easy over grass. At the bealach, aim north-east for ˝km, then north, contouring around Stob nan Clach and reach the south-western arm of Creag Mhor. A path appears, follow this over grass, then boulders to Creag Mhor's summit.

Beinn Heasgarnich
From the cairn, turn west-north-west and go downhill over boulders to reach grass. Turn north, then north-east to follow a burn down to the bealach below Sron Tairbh. Slog uphill on a developing path over grassy ground. At around 950m, the ground levels out, continue east following the path. A further bit of uphill is followed by more flat ground, where the path can be difficult to follow in mist. Gravel ground indicates Beinn Heasgarnich's smallish cairn is not far away.

Return
Leave Beinn Heasgarnich and aim east downhill, then pick up a burn and follow it for 3km over heather and occasional marsh. Leave it and turn east to aim for the highest point on the hydro road. Once on the road, jog back down to your car.

alternatives

Sgiath Chuill and Meall Glas from Glen Lochay
Bag Sgiath Chuill and Meall Glas as described on left, perhaps taking in Beinn Cheathaich on the way. From Meall Glas return east for around ˝km, then aim north downhill over grassy wet ground to pick up the Allt Coire Cheathaich. Follow this burn to a bridge over the Lochay at Badour. Cross the bridge, then follow the track east back to your car.

Total distance : 15km, total ascent : 1385m


Ben Challum from Strath Fillan
There are two route start possibilities. On the A82/A85, 2km east of Tyndrum, a junction is signposted with Wigwams, park just up this road, then head up apst the farm towards the wooden wigwams. Alternatively, park in a layby 1km south-east of this junction, cross the road and start up to Kirkton Farm. Once past these, cross the railway and pick up and follow a well defined, but very mucky path uphill. Ben Challum's south top is reached and a good path is followed to the large cairn on the main summit.

Return by the same route.

Total distance : 11km, total ascent : 975m


Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnich from Glen Lochay
In Glen Lochay from the road end, head up the hydro road for 1km and park at a track entrance near the top of the pipe. Jog along the track heading west for 5km until it crosses the Allt Batavaim. Follow the west side of this burn uphill over wet ground to aim for Sron nan Eun. From this top, follow a path to the summit of Creag Mhor and continue to Beinn Heasgarnich as described in the main route.

Return back to your car as described in the main route.

Total distance : 21km, total ascent : 1450m


Meall nan Subh
Starting at a height of 500m, this has to be the easiest corbett peak and can easily be tagged on to the main route described on the left.

Although the road connecting Glen Lochay to Glen Lyon is a private Hydro road, there is no objection to driving up it. Starting from the highest point on the road, aim east-north-east over wet grassy ground and the summit cairn should be reached in less than half an hour. This hill is not particularly exciting and the summit may be difficult to determine in thick mist due to the numerous humps around it.

Total distance : 3km, total ascent : 300m