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Corbetts
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Creag Macranaich (809m)
Meall an t-Seallaidh (852m)
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Ascent
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1025m (3350ft)
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Distance
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14km (9m)
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Time
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walking : 6:30hr*, running : 2:25hr
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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Main route summary
Various starting points from Glen Dochart, Glen Ogle or Balquhidder Glen allow for many different route combinations. However, if doing both of these corbetts together, a circuit can most enjoyably be made starting from Edinchip to the south and using the farm track heading north. Creag MacRanaich is a fine craggy little hill, whereas Meall an t-Seallaidh is a long whale-back shaped hill. Fence-posts aid navigation in mist.
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profile
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location
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start/finish
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A84, 1.5km south of Lochearnhead
(grid ref : NN583222)
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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 |
Creag MacRanaich : 'MacRanaich's crag'
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Meall an t-Seallaidh : 'hill of the sight'
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| main route outline | print route |
Getting there
On the A84, 1.5km south of Lochearnhead, a sign marks the entrance to Edinchip Estate. 100m to the north of this, parking is available by the entrance to a forestry track on the opposite side of the road.
Creag MacRanaich
Walk up the private drive towards Edinchip. The road comes to a junction - turn right and meet a gate. Through the gate, turn immediately left and follow a fence uphill (there were laminated signs here pointing the direction when I last visited). Through another gate and a bridge over the old railway line (now used as a cycleway) is met. Cross the bridge, then follow a track through forestry. As the end of the forestry is neared, Creag Mac Ranaich comes into view ahead. Although not marked all the way on my OS map, the track continues to the bealach between Creag Mac Ranaich and Meall an t-Seallaidh, then down Gleann Dubh to Glen Dochart. Follow the track up to the bealach, passing some crags, then look for a few old rusty fence-posts on your right (east) which mark a grassy route up Creag Mac Ranaich. The top has two summits of equal height 300m apart, though the northern one has the larger cairn and is considered to be the summit.
Meall an t-Seallaidh
From Creag MacRanaich's summits, return to the bealach following the posts, cross the track, then aiming south-west, cross heathery ground and gradually gain height. A col between Meall an Fhiodhain and Cam Creag is reached - turn south and ascent Cam Creag. Now on grassy ground, a line of fence-posts is then followed for 800m to Meall an t-Seallaidh's summit with its trig point and fine views.
Return
Continue following the fence-posts for 1km south-east. Turn eastwards and bound down over grass, then heather clad slopes. Through some bracken, cross Kendrum Burn, then rejoin the track to return to Edinchip. Kendrum Burn may be difficult or even impossible to cross in spate, if this is the case, keep to the western bank and plod through wet ground to the forest and old railway line.
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Sunset over the Lochearnhead Corbetts from Stuc a'Chroin
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On the track in looking to Creag MacRanaich
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Deer on the bealach between Creag Mac Ranaich and Meall an t-Seallaidh
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Meall an t-Seallaidh from the southern end of Creag MacRanaich
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On Stuc a'Chroin, looking to Meall an t-Seallaidh and Creag MacRanaich
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Ben Sheann in front of Meall an t-Seallaidh from Benvane
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On Meall an t-Seallaidh looking to Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin
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Ben Vorlich, Stuc a'Chroin and Beinn Each from Glen Kendrum
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Alternative starting points
Behind Balquhidder Church, a path travels up to converge with a forestry track. This track is followed for just under 1km to cross a burn, thereafter, strike directly uphill aiming north-east to eventually get to open ground and reach Meall an t-Seallaidh.
At the northern end of Lochearnhead, it is possible to park just below the old viaduct, then walk up to the scout station - an old railway station. From there, a path is followed to the old upper-line (which is now a cycle-way), which is crossed at a convienient point to gain open hillside and Meall Reamhar.
By the highest point in Glen Ogle, just south of Lochan Lairig Cheile, there is a lay-by on a sharp corner. The old railway can be accessed from here and Creag Mac Ranaich can be attacked from the north-east by keeping to the edge of the forest.
The bealach between Meall an t-Seallaidh and Creag Mac Ranaich can be reached from the north using the track through Gleann Dubh
A track also comes in from the north beginning at Ledcharrie Farm (parking just to the west in a layby). This reaches a lochan at the head of Kirkton Glen, from where Meall an t-Seallaidh can be walked over to.
North
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Meall Ghaordaidh and Beinn nan Oighreag
On one side these appear as characterless lumps, from the other they have crags and rocky outcrops.
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North-east
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The Ben Lawers group
A suprisingly easy route taking in 7 Munros. Popular hills with well managed path network
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East
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South of Loch Earn
Easy enjoyable walking and a bit of scrambling. Stuc a'Chroin has a classic hillrace in May
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South
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Ben Ledi and Benvane
Good access paths and fences to follow making for two popular hills near Callander.
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West
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5 - Above Crianlarich
Distinctive landmark mountains. Bag all 7 munros in fairly long route. Or take more time on three separate shorter outings
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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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Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Balquhidder
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Kingshouse Hotel, Balquhidder
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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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