Ben Cruachan and the Kinglass peaks

Getting to the start by Loch Awe

• 3km west of Dalmally on the A85, there is a junction with the B8077- take this and park by the bridge on the west side of the Allt Mhoille.
• Parking is limited, so you might have to park nearer the junction.

Beinn Eunaich

• Cross the bridge and go through the gate up the track towards Castles Farm - there's usually quite a few cows and the occasional bull here.
• Just before Castles Farm, a track heads off left (north-west) through a couple of gates and starts to climb.
• After just over 1km, a small cairn marks the start of a steep path up the west side of Beinn Eunaich's south shoulder.
• After ascending 250m, the ground flattens and the path turns north, then north-east-north over grassy ground to reach the summit cairn.

Beinn a'Chochuill

• From Beinn Eunaich's summit, head initially west-north-west downhill over some boulders and gravel. The terrain becomes more pleasant as height is lost.
• The grassy bealach above Coire Glas is gained, this wide dip between the Munros can hold deep snow when winter drifts hit.
• On an obvious path, climb west-south-west up to a wide grass-covered expanse and gradually turn west then north-west to head over easy ground to Beinn a'Chochuill's summit.

Stob Diamh

• Leave Beinn a'Chochuill and head south-west downhill on a faint path over grassy ground.
• On approaching the Lairig Noe, the ground steepens and the route may not be obvious in mist.
• From the col, head directly uphill ahead (south-west). The terrain is initially grass and somewhat wet and slippy.
• Further up it's over boulders on a steep slope and finally up loose gravel to reach the ridge east of the minor top Sron an Isean.
• Over this minor top, continue south-west downhill for a short distance, then up on a fine ridge to reach the small untidy summit cairn on Stob Diamh.

Ben Cruachan

• Pick up a good path zig-zagging west-south-west downhill to the next bealach.
• The ground gets more bouldery as the path turns and heads for Drochaid Ghlas. This top can be bypassed, but by doing so, great views to Ben Cruachan and Taynuilt Peak will be missed.
• Beyond Drochaid Ghlas continue south-west on bouldery ground to the next bealach.
• The path carries over grassy ground, then heads up steep bouldery ground with some occasional easy scrambling in bits on a fine ridge.
• A small drop is reached and a bad step downwards blocks the way - the rock is grippy, so with care, should present no problems in dry conditions.
• In wet or icy conditions however, it may be prudent to return a short distance and descend down a loose grassy gap. This leads to a path below and bypasses the difficulties on the 'bad step'.
• Beyond the 'bad step', a bit more easy scrambling leads uphill and the remains of the trig point are finally reached.
• Wonderful views are to be had in all directions, with the views all the way to Ben More on Mull and north up Loch Etive towards Ben Nevis being particularly stunning.

Return to Loch Awe

• A faint path leaves Ben Cruachan and zig-zags southwards down a boulderfield to a small lochan (not marked on the OS Landranger map) at the col between Ben Cruachan and Meall Cuanail.
• Turn left, cross a fence-line and head eastwards directly down a badly erroded path into Coire Dearg.
• The path gets wet, slippy and really mucky further down as it approaches a track on the western bank of the Cruachan Reservoir.
• Once on this track, follow it to the dam. Cross the dam and walk down the hydro road to the village of Loch Awe.
• Hopefully you've left a bike here or arranged for pick-up, otherwise it's a walk along a pavement aside a busy road for 3km.