Beinn a' Chrulaiste from Glencoe

The A82 runs north from Tyndrum toward Fort William, crossing the western edge of Rannoch Moor before entering Glencoe from the east. Just beyond this point, you'll find Altnafeadh, a small house set within woodland.

A long layby on the north side of the road, beside the house, provides space for around 10 vehicles. On the opposite side of the A82, a smaller layby can accommodate a couple of cars, with additional parking near the head of a track leading down to the River Coupall. However, this track becomes increasingly rough further down and is best suited to vehicles with high ground clearance.

Parking at Altnafeadh is often busy, especially in summer and at weekends. If full, an additional layby is located about 1 km further west. Alternatively, since this route is circular, you could park near by the tarred section of the West Highland Way north of Kingshouse Hotel - just note that the hotel's own car park is for guests, with a steep parking fee for non-patrons.

Looking up the crags towards Stob Beinn a' Chrulaiste

Starting from the car-park, cross the A82 to its northern side and follow the signposted West Highland Way eastward for around 500m. This rather rough but well-trodden section of the West Highland Way runs between a fence line and the road before reaching a gate . Pass through the gate, then turn left off the West Highland Way onto a rough and often boggy path that climbs through heather and steadily uphill aside a fence-line.

Following the fence-line, the path gains height until it reaches its highest point. Here, leave the fence behind and continue uphill as the path turns east. Skirting to the right of some crags ahead, navigate through heather on a steep ascent up the nose of Stob Beinn a' Chrulaiste.

As the gradient eases, a little lochan is passed and a small cairn marking the summit of Stob Beinn a' Chrulaiste is reached offering stunning views across Buachaille Etive Mor.

From here, the remainder of the route up Beinn a' Chrulaiste is fairly straightforward, passing around another larger lochan and following a gentle, grassy incline to the hill's summit crest.

Upon reaching the summit , the landscape opens dramatically. Not only does Etive Mor still dominate the southern view, but an incredible panorama of Rannoch Moor, Schiehallion, and the vast Highland wilderness unfolds.

Beinn a' Chrualaiste from Stob Beinn a' Chrulaiste

Beinn a' Chrualaiste from Stob Beinn a' Chrulaiste

View to Ben Nevis from Beinn a' Chrulaiste's summit

For the return, you could simply head back the way you came, descending via Stob Beinn a' Chrulaiste and enjoying the views down Glencoe and over Etive Beag and Bidean nam Bian.

Alternatively, for a more varied descent, continue southeast along Beinn a' Chrulaiste's eastern shoulder. A faint path leads downhill, gradually turning east over undulating terrain before reaching an ATV track in the coire below. Following the Allt a' Bhalaich downstream, this rather soggy track is straightforward to follow as it drops toward a tarmac road section of the West Highland Way near Kingshouse Hotel.

Heading down Beinn a' Chrulaiste's eastern shoulder, Creise and Meall a' Bhuirid ahead

Heading down Beinn a' Chrulaiste's eastern shoulder, Creise and Meall a' Bhuirid ahead