Beinn Eunaich and Beinn a' Chochuill

The track leading to Castles Farm

On the A85 travelling towards Oban, the road passes through the small village of Dalmally. Here, the B9007, an Old Military Road, crosses the River Orchy and the River Strae to loop back onto the A85 at the head of Loch Awe.

Before rejoining the A85, the narrow road passes the entrance to Castles Farm, where the hike up Beinn Eunaich and Beinn a' Chochuill begins.

Parking is limited, with only a few verge-side spaces available between the entrance for Castles Farm and the nearby bridge over the Allt Mhoille. There is more space to park by the road junction by the head of Loch Awe.

Clambering up the steep path below Stob Maol

Once you pass through the farm entrance, follow the track that skirts around the edge of a field - usually home to grazing sheep. The path travels briefly beside the Allt Mhoille and beneath a line of electric pylons.

Just before reaching the buildings of Castles Farm, take the track heading left (north-west) through a couple of gates. You might encounter some highland cows here !

The track climbs and turns northwards and ascends about 150m over the next 1km.

Look for a small cairn on the uphill side of the track - this marks the start of a steep path heading east up the grass-covered southern shoulder of Beinn Eunaich. This path is faint at first, but quickly becomes more pronounced and, in places, quite loose.

After climbing around 250m, the grass-covered slope begins to level off, and the crest of Beinn Eunaich's southern shoulder is gained just to the north of Stob Maol.

The path continues northwards, climbing gently for another 1km or so. Eventually, it becomes less distinct as it weaves through occasional patches of rocks and boulders, but it grows clearer again on the approach to Beinn Eunaich's summit cairn .

Nearing Beinn Eunaich's summit, Beinn a' Bhuiridh and Stob Daimh beyond

Nearing Beinn Eunaich's summit, Beinn a' Bhuiridh and Stob Daimh beyond

On Beinn Eunaich's summit with Beinn a' Chochuill and Ben Cruachan behind

From Beinn Eunaich's summit cairn, head north-west along the flat expanse of the mountain's summit. Begin descending the crest of Beinn Eunaich's western shoulder, navigating rocky, boulder-strewn ground. As you lose height, the terrain becomes much more pleasant.

The Lairig Ianachain , the grassy bealach above Coire Glas is reached. This wide col between Beinn Eunaich and Beinn a' Chochuill, can hold deep snow during winter drifts and is home to several large erratic boulders.

Cross to the opposite side of the col, where an obvious path leads westward. Follow the path as it climbs gently up to a wide, grass-covered expanse . The crest of this area turns south-west, before gradually curving north-west, leading over easy ground to the summit of Beinn a' Chochuill .

On the eastern shoulder of Beinn a' Chochuill, looking back to Beinn Eunaich

On the eastern shoulder of Beinn a' Chochuill, looking back to Beinn Eunaich

On Beinn a' Chochuill's summit looking to Ben Cruachan

From Beinn a' Chochuill's summit, retrace your steps back to the flat, grassy expanse . Once here, look for a path heading right (south-east). Follow this path as it descends steadily. The grassy slope is continuous but straightforward, losing around 500m in height.

Beginning a descent of Beinn a' Chochuill

Beginning a descent of Beinn a' Chochuill

Looking down Beinn a' Chochuill's southern shoulder and up Sron an Isean

Leaving the summit cairn of Beinn a' Chochuill, descend the mountain's south-western shoulder. While there isn't a clearly defined path, the descent is generally straightforward. With height lost, the slope steepens, and in misty conditions, the route may become less obvious, with twists and turns to avoid rocky sections. Continue until the Lairig Noe , the col below, is reached.

For the return, turn south-east from the Lairig Noe and descend the grassy, occasionally soggy ground to meet a track that will lead back toward Castles Farm.

To continue onto the Cruachan Horseshoe, from the Lairig Noe, head directly uphill (south-west). The terrain starts off grassy and wet, becoming slippery as you climb. As elevation is gained, a small coire is entered, where the path becomes rocky and steep. Finally, ascend loose gravel to reach the ridge just east of the minor Munro Top of Sron an Isean .

Continue over this minor top, then descend south-west for a short distance before climbing the fine ridge to reach the small, untidy summit cairn of Stob Daimh .

Stob Daimh and Ben Cruachan from Sron an Isean

Stob Daimh and Ben Cruachan from Sron an Isean