Posted by jammyrags

Length of route:

17 km (10 mi)

Suitable for:

Walking, Rock-climbing

And:

Thrill seekers

Details:

Begin at the Brander Lodge Hotel on the A85 about 2 miles east of Taynuilt.

First the fiddly bit: Walk to the end of the hotel driveway, turn left and walk 50yds west down the A85 until you can cross the railway. Then walk back east to and through the sheepfold. At the far east corner turn north and walk steeply uphill, making for the gap in the top fence. One the other side follow the fence left, ascending to the col that overlooks the hotel.

Now the hard bit: Turn right and walk north-east directly up the mountain. It's pretty steep, especially at the start. Follow the gentle rightward curve of the nearest valley to your left, so you are walking about due east by the time you reach the cairns at Meall nam Measagh (785m), more than a mile away.

Now the walk becomes a scamble up to the first summit, Stob Dearg (1104m), north-north-east of the cairns and half a mile away. Your reward is the first of many truly spectacular views to both the north and south (brevity forbids description here).

Follow the ridge east, reaching the summit of Ben Cruachan (1126m, and the highest point for many miles) after half a mile.

Now, either bail out early by descending to the south and following the path down to the Cruachan reservoir, or keep following the ridge to the east, reaching another munro (Stob Diamh, 998m) after nearly two miles of intense scrambling.

It still isn't over! Head east-north-east for half a mile to Stob an Isean (964m), then descend carefully north-east to the saddle at Lairig Noe (564m). Once again, you can either call it a day by descending to the east and dropping to the path down to Castles farm, or climb very steeply north-north-east to Beinn a'Chochuill (980m, and another munro), just over half a mile away.

The fourth and final munro of the Cruachan group, Beinn Eunaich (989m), is now a two-mile ridge-scramble away to the east. From there, follow the south ridge for a mile and a half to Stob Maul (450m). Descend carefully due south for three-quarters of a mile to Castles farm (70m). Join the B8077 and walk south-west to meet the A85. Lochawe village is another mile to the south-west.

Return along the A85. You can order a taxi from the Lochawe Hotel above the village, which is much closer than the public callbox St Conan's Kirk.