Beinn Sgulaird from Glen Etive

Where to leave bikes by the rickety bridge.

On the A82 that travels from Tyndrum to Fort William, just before approaching Glencoe and just after the turn off for the Kingshouse hotel, there is a single track road that heads south down Glen Etive.

Drive down this road to the end, some 20km from the A82, to a parking area with notice-board at the head of Loch Etive.

Crossing the Allt Coire Leacaich.

Leave the car-park behind and walk back up the road for a few paces and you'll see a track heading off left towards forestry. Head up this (cyclable if preferred) for around 1km to where the track splits and a rickety bridge leads left (west) to a gate in a deer-fence (you'll need to leave bikes here).

Cross the fence and follow the traces of a track, fairly well covered by thick grass. The track turns uphill - persist with it - then heads west again to meet up with a gate (rather temporary looking).

Cross the gate, over rough ground to the Allt a'Bhiorain and follow the course of this upstream to a fire-break, passing the sad remains of an old dyke on the way. Follow the fire-break to the end of the forestry .

A faint path can now be traced heading westwards, the terrain underfoot is gentle and for the most part on grass. The two lochans of Airigh nan Lochan are reached.

Looking up Glen Etive from Beinn Sgulaird's summit.

Above two lochans an ATV track can be picked up and followed for a bit, but as it reaches the Allt Coire Leacaich , it turns southwards and needs to be left behind. Find a suitable place to cross the Allt Coire Leacaich (tricky in spate).

Beyond the Allt Coire Leacaich, the ground gradually steepens and any paths disappear into the grass. Higher up, a small lochan is met as the minor summit of Stob Gaibhre is contoured around.

Into Coire nan Tulach, keeping just to the north of the burn coming down, terrain gets a bit rougher and looser higher up. Begin start turning southwards and reach the crest of Beinn Sgulaird on a minor summit marked (marked '909' on OS Explorer maps) . From here, scramble over some rock, descend slightly, then pick up a path for the short distance to Beinn Sgulaird's summit .

Heading back down the forestry track, looking back to Ben Starav and Ben Cruachan

Return by the same route.

If you're feeling adventurous, a detour up the Trilleachan Slabs to Beinn Trilleachan is worthwhile. For more information on this route, see the Sgurr na h-Ulaidh to Beinn Sgulaird route.