Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhcraig are satellites of mighty Ben Lui. Although the mountains themselves are not particularly distinguished, the approach walk leads through natural pine and birch forest and is very picturesque, though also very wet.
Summary
Extremely boggy path on the approach. Higher up the going is drier; the ridges are broad but rocky and undulating and with some crags- confusing terrain in poor visibility.
Terrain
NN343291
Grid ref
17.5km/10.75 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
Public transport
1. There is a good sized car park off the A82 road by taking the turning for Dalrigh; keep left after taking the turn and the car park is on the left. Beinn Dubhcraig can be seen from here - the outline of the ridge looking very distant over the trees. The walk begins by continuing along the tarmac lane to cross the West Highland Way and then an old stone bridge - White Bridge or Drochaid Bhan in Gaelic. On the far side of the river, turn right onto a smaller track. This soon runs close by the railway line (which is on your left), with views to mighty Ben Lui at the head of the Cononish Glen and of Beinn Dorain beyond Tyndrum. The track then swings left to cross over the railway on a bridge. On the far side go through the gate and then turn right onto a footpath.
2. The path soon becomes very boggy. The aim is to reach the footbridge over the Allt Gleann Auchreoch just above its confluence with the River Cononish, but the ground en route is completely waterlogged in places. Cross the rickety old footbridge and then turn left upstream. You are now entering the beautiful pinewood known as Coille Coire-Chuilc, a remnant of the original Calendonian Forest. The path continues to be sodden; bear right away from the stream after about three hundred metres to find the bottom of a better path climbing through the trees. If you miss this, you can follow a second path alongside the Allt Coire Dubhcraig - a substantial side-stream - this way is boggier but the two paths meet alongside the Allt Coire Dubhcraig further on. Continue on the path beside the stream; several waterfalls add to the beauty of the trees. Further on a fence is reached; the stile is broken but the fence itself is dilapidated and can be stepped through.
3. Soon the path reaches a second fence with a very high stile - fortunately there is a gap in the wires which means the ascent of the stile isn't necessary! The path continues to be boggy but beautiful, with one particularly fine waterfall over the left. The pines have given way to birches by this point, and soon these too are left behind for more open ground though there are Sitka plantations further right and on the other side of the river. A third and final fence also has a gap to step through, and beyond the open moors are reached. The SMC guide suggests bearing south across the tussocks to reach the northeast ridge of Ben Dubhcraig, but the path continues beside the Allt Coire Dubhcraig and most walkers continue up it. At one point the stream flows through a series of steep-sided rocky pools, and further on the ascent steepens where the water flows through a small gorge. Higher up the path peters out but continuing in the same direction, the broad ridge is reached.
4. Once on the flat back of the ridge a fairly clear path leads southeast for the first Munro of the day. There are only about eighty metres of ascent before the summit cairn of Beinn Dubhcraig is reached at 978 metres. There is a good view south towards Loch Lomond as well as taking in scores of hills. Return back down the ridge to where you first gained it; the path fades for a short distance but heads very briefly southwest before continuing to the left of a series of small lochans. Beyond these the path descends more steeply down rockier ground to reach the Bealach Buidhe, overlooking Loch Oss. Continue on the path to the far side of the bealach. Just before the path descends a little to cross a stream, look out for a tiny cairn. This marks the point to leave the path, which is part of an old stalkers route and runs across the side of Ben Oss rather than up it. Head west up a grassy slope at first; soon a better defined path is reached once more. This leads up to the northeastern top of Ben Oss.
5. A short descent leads to a minor bealach before the final, easier ascent to Ben Oss begins. This follows a better defined ridge heading just west of south, with a good path leading to the summit cairn. At 1029 metres this is the higher of the two Munros on this route, though somewhat looked down on by its more majestic and higher neighbour Ben Lui to the west.
Photo © Graham Ellis, reproduced under CC
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6. Return over the northeast top and down to the bealach with Beinn Dubhcraig. Do not attempt to descend north from here as the bealach is guarded by crags. Instead it is necessary to reascent eastwards, following the path back up towards Beinn Dubhcraig. Once you are beyond the lochans on the ridge, head northeast to regain the route of ascent beside the Allt Coire Dubhcraig. Now simply retrace your steps back downstream to reach the pinewoods, backed by views of Ben Challum, and continue back to the start.
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