Creag Ghuanach and Beinn na Cloiche

To combine these two hills in one outing, by Creaguaineach Lodge at the southern end of Loch Treig provides the most practical base. However, this is a remote corner of the Central Highlands, with the nearest roads around 15km away as the crow flies - and considerably further in reality.

Corrour Halt is the nearest public transport access, sitting around 6km from the lodge, though the sparse train timetable requires careful planning.

Cycling in is by far the most efficient approach, with either a gravel or mountain bike required. Several approaches are possible: from Corriechoille near Spean Bridge, a track leads through the Lairig Leacach to within around 4km north of the lodge; from Loch Eigheach near Rannoch Station or from Luiblea by Loch Laggan, longer but generally better tracks lead to just over 1km east of the lodge.

The route described here uses the Loch Laggan approach.

The route begins by Luiblea, from a long lay-by on the A86, around 22km east of Spean Bridge. Although there is plenty of parking, this is a popular area for hillwalking (with access to other groups including Ardverikie), and the lay-by can fill early at weekends.

Additional parking is available around 300m west of the track entrance in another long lay-by.

From the lay-by, a track is followed downhill, crossing the River Spean, straight ahead at the first junction , before reaching a second junction behind the farm and estate buildings of Torgulbin. Turning right, the main estate track is followed, with only one notable junction - signed for Corrour or Fersit - where the left fork is taken uphill towards Corrour.

The track continues to Corrour Lodge by the head of Loch Ossian, and is then followed along its northern shore to the western end, where at a junction , a right turn is made.

Beyond here, the track becomes rougher as it climbs for around 1km, then descends beneath the Glasgow-Fort William railway line to reach the southern shore of Loch Treig. After a cattle grid, a left turn is taken by a small hydro building, crossing the Allt a' Chamabhreac.

The track deteriorates further beyond a second bridge over the Allt Iolairean and soon ends, with a footpath continuing ahead.

Bikes are best left here, by the gate leading to the right-of-way towards Kinlochmore.

The footpath is followed westwards as it curves above the shores of Loch Treig beneath Garbh Chnapan. Rounding a bend, Creag Ghuanach comes into view, with Creaguaineach Lodge tucked amongst trees below.

Despite its modest height compared to surrounding peaks, the hill appears rugged and somewhat forbidding from this angle, and a route up this face is not immediately obvious. A grassy rake between the crags can be seen slanting towards the north of the summit.

The path reaches a wooden bridge over the Abhainn Rath just before Creaguaineach Lodge. After crossing, a signpost indicates routes to Fort William and Spean Bridge — the Fort William direction is taken, dropping onto grass above the river.

The path continues upstream for around 2km, occasionally faint and damp but generally clear, with Sron na Saobhaidhe and Meall a' Bhainne ahead.

Shortly before Staoineag Bothy , the path is left and a route is made northwards up a largely grassy slope.

The ascent is pathless but straightforward, with occasional rock ribs and bluffs. The gradient eases with height, and views expand in all directions, with Ben Nevis dominating the western skyline.

The summit comprises small rocky knolls with scattered lochans, the highest point marked by a small cairn on its highest outcrop . Views are extensive, particularly fine towards the Lochaber and Glencoe hills.

The descent retraces the line back towards the Abhainn Rath - on the way the hillside of Beinn na Cloiche ahead can be assessed, with a grassy rake offering a possible line through the steep heather-clad slope.

Back at the base of Creag Ghuanach and opposite Staoineag Bothy , stepping stones provide a crossing in decent conditions, quite possibly without getting wet feet - in higher water, this may require either wet feet or, for safety, a return to the bridge near the lodge.

Beyond the crossing, Staoineag Bothy is passed, along with a nearby ruin above it. Thereafter there is no defined path, though some deer trods can be found to assist progress through deep heather. The grassy rake is then picked up, leading onto higher, more open ground.

Loch na Staoineig lies in a flat bealach en route below the northern shoulder of Beinn na Cloiche. A long, gradual ascent over easy but rather featureless terrain leads up the shoulder, after which the summit area is reached some 1km further on.

The summit itself is broad and somewhat complex, with several knolls and lochans. The highest point lies on the southernmost of these knolls, marked by a small cairn on a rocky rib.

While the ascent of Beinn na Cloiche is steady but somewhat repetitive, the effort is rewarded with impressive views — the length of Blackwater Reservoir stretching out in front of the Southern Highlands.

Meall a' Bhainne sits to the north-east of Beinn na Cloiche, separated by Loch na Staoineig in the bealach below. The re-ascent between the two comes in just under the 150m needed for Graham status, and with more of the same kind of terrain in between, it didn't feel worth the effort. A more direct return was therefore taken, aiming for the footpath in Feith Chiarain.

From the summit of Beinn na Cloiche, a short detour south avoids steeper rocky ground before descending eastwards on pleasant grassy slopes to reach the path in Feith Chiarain .

This path is generally decent, climbing gently north-eastwards to its highest point before beginning a descent through Gleann Iolairean, with views opening out along Loch Treig. With height lost, progress becomes wetter and more uneven underfoot.

A gate in a deer fence is passed through, the path deteriorates further but soon reaches its end at the bridge over the Allt Iolairean — and the bikes left earlier for the return.