Beinn a' Chreachain and Beinn Achaladair from Loch Tulla

On the A82, just over 4km north of Bridge of Orchy where the road runs close to the shores of Loch Tulla, a track leaves eastwards marked for Achallader Farm. Immediately beyond the entrance there is a large rough car park with ample space.

Older OS maps may show parking at the farm itself, but this is no longer the case - years ago it was possible - I can recall being there and pestered by the farm’s chickens looking for crumbs !.

Crossing the bridge over the West Highland line

From the car park, follow the estate track north-east towards Achallader Farm . Shortly before the buildings a junction is crossed, then another is met beside a wall. To the right lie the farm and the ruins of Achallader Castle; instead keep to the main track, which followed the edge of a walled field. Soon the track fords the Allt Ur, crosses another minor burn, then runs beside the Water of Tulla to reach yet another burn . Leave the track here and begin following the burn upstream.

Higher up, ATV tracks appear and are followed under a line of pylons to a bridge over the West Highland Line. Once across, the ATV tracks climb through sparse woodland to a gap in a fence, beyond which open hillside is gained.

The tracks fade out as grassy slopes rise towards the Allt na Crannaich. This burn cuts through a break in a line of crags called Creagan Dubh. Crossing the burn higher up, the ascent continues onto the broad flank of Garbh Mheall, where the grass thins with height.

Climbing up Meall Garbh's grassy slopes, Beinn Achaladair behind

Climbing up Meall Garbh's grassy slopes, Beinn Achaladair behind

Looking to Beinn Achaladair from Beinn a' Chreachain

From Beinn a’ Chreachain’s summit, retrace the route back along the crest of Meall Buidhe, then continue south-west following the path over easy ground to the boggy Bealach an Aoghlain . A dilapidated fence line is crossed here.

Beyond the bealach the path splits. The line branching right is steeper, generally an easy climb with the odd scrambly step. In icy or snow-covered conditions this can be quite testing, in which case the left-hand option is preferable, giving a slightly longer but easier line. The two paths merge higher up and lead onto Beinn Achaladair’s summit crest.

Hiking up Beinn Achaladair's south-western shoulder, Beinn a' Chreachain behind

Hiking up Beinn Achaladair's south-western shoulder, Beinn a' Chreachain behind

View over Loch Tulla and the Black Mount from Beinn Achaladair

From Beinn Achaladair’s summit crest, continue south-west past the final cairn. The path descends gently as the ridge curves south to a broad grassy bealach, where two options present themselves.

A direct line heads west down grassy slopes that seem unrelenting, the ground thickening with ever denser tussocks and hidden divots — a tiring descent that can punish weary knees. Having dropped around 600m, the Allt Coire Achaladair is easily crossed in most conditions, after which a short pull leads to the main path down from Coire Achaladair.

Alternatively, a more scenic option keeps to the ridge — and if the Allt Coire Achaladair is in spate, it becomes the only practical way of descent. This route climbs gently over Beinn Achaladair’s southern top , then continues for another kilometre, descending south before swinging south-west to the bealach at the head of Coire Daingean. From here the route drops into the coire — at first pathless, though a clear rather mucky trail gradually develops lower down as it winds past little lochans and some huge erratic boulders.

The options converge and from there the path, now very distinct, continues for about a kilometre, losing height gradually to meet a bridge over the West Highland Line.

Looking down Coire Daingean

Looking down Coire Daingean

Meall Garbh and Beinn a' Chreachain from above Coire Daingean

Although not a common route, Beinn Mhanach can also be climbed from Achallader, and in my view this is a more enjoyable approach than from Glen Kinglass, if a little longer and with more ascent.

From the car park the route is followed in reverse to the head of Coire Daingean . From here, grassy pathless slopes are slanted down to meet the head of the track coming in from Glen Kinglass.

Beinn Mhanach can then be climbed either directly via Beinn a’ Chuirn or by skirting around it.

A direct line up Beinn a’ Chuirn is possible, and as this is a Munro Top keen “Top-baggers” may wish to include it, though the west-facing slopes are steep and loose. Once up, a straightforward walk on a grass-covered expanse leads down to the bealach between Beinn a' Chuirn and Beinn Mhanach.

For those not intent on summiting, an easier option is to follow the track northwards to its end, then swing around the north side of Beinn a’ Chuirn on grass-covered slopes. Further on, a dilapidated fence line is met and can be followed up to the bealach between Beinn a’ Chuirn and Beinn Mhanach.

From the bealach, easy grassy ground and a faint path lead directly eastwards to the summit of Beinn Mhanach .