These two Munros are fairly undistinguished but are much less visited than their better known neighbour Creag Meagaidh to the east. Boggy lower slopes are a deterrent, but the ridgewalk along the summit of Beinn a'Chaorainn is a delight.
Summary
Very boggy ground lower down, with a stream crossing later in the walk which could be difficult in wet weather. The upper slopes give better walking.
Terrain
NN377814
Grid ref
16km/10 miles
Distance
Grade
Parking at Roughburn on A86
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Regular buses to Kinlochleven from Fort William
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Pronunciation
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1. Park at Rough Burn on the A86; the walk begins on the forestry track just east of the bridge over the Allt a'Chaorainn. Follow the track through the dense plantation; it soon passes an old quarry and bends first to the left, and later to the right. Shortly after this it reaches a junction. There are two options here; either you can keep right and follow the track for about 800 metres before turning left up a firebreak and following the Allt Clachaig up onto the hillside - then continuing north into Coire Clachaig, or alternatively you can turn left and, after about a hundred metres or so, turn right where a stone cairn marks the start of a boggy path up through the trees. This path is thankfully short before this route too reaches open ground for the climb up to Meall Clachaig.
Photo ©Osclay, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
2. Either way, continue up the fairly featureless mountainside until the southern top of Beinn a'Chaorainn is finally reached. From here the walk improves markedly, with some great views down into the corries on the right, and Creag Meagaidh beyond. The walk continues easily in summer across a slight dip to reach the central, Munro summit at 1052 metres. There have been several fatalities to walkers in winter taking a direct bearing between these two summits and falling through the cornice into the corrie, so in such conditions be careful to take bearings far enough west to keep away from the edge.
Photo ©Roger Boston, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
3. Continue this fine traverse, curving round a perfect arc to the northern summit at 1043 metres. From here, begin the descent northwards at first before slanding down to the cairn at Tom Mor, at the bealach between Beinn a'Chaorainn and Beinn Teallach. As well as being a considerable descent this bealach is very boggy to cross.
Photo ©Paul Birrell, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. Round the steep lower slope of Beinn Teallach to the right before beginning a direct climb up the north-northeast ridge of this, the second Munro. The summit is now known to be 915 metres but was for many years regarded as below 3000 feet, until in 1984 it changed from being one of the highest Corbetts; it is now the lowest of the Munros. Either way, descend the easy southern slopes before curving round to the left to reach the Allt a'Chaorainn lower down.
Photo ©Richard Webb, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. The stream can be quite tricky to cross, so it is best to try to reach the east bank as high up as possible; in wet conditions it may become necessary to detour north up the glen to find an easy crossing. Once on the far side, a faint and soggy path leads down the glen to eventually return to the forest track and the start of the walk.
Photo ©Andrew Hall, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
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