Cruach Ardrain has a very distinctive outline and is a familiar sight from the Crianlarich and Tyndrum area. Its southern ridge rises slightly to the inconsequential Munro of Beinn Tulaichean, and to include both peaks it is more convenient to start from the south.
Summary
Pathless and quite boggy ascent and descent from the ridge; the going between the two Munros is more straightforward.
Terrain
Inverlochlarig, near Balquhidder
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1. Park in the car park at the end of the public road beyond Loch Voil, where the varied scenery of the Trossachs begins to give way to a more mountainous, Highland landscape. Continue along the track on the north side of the glen to the farm at Inverlochlarig, with Beinn Tulaichean in view ahead. Inverlochlarig was the site of the final home of the celebrated outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor following his pardon; he died here in 1736 and his grave can still be visited in Balquhidder churchyard. Follow the track as it swings left and crosses the bridge over the burn.
Photo ©Bill Copland, reproduced under CC.
2. The walk leaves the farmyard on the track heading north up Glen Inverlochlarig; follow the signs to avoid creating problems for the farmer. Once clear of the farm area and the highest fence, there is no path up Beinn Tulaichean. You can either make a beeline up the slopes or follow the track a little further up the glen before cutting up. The slopes are wet lower down but have some rockier outcrops higher up to break the otherwise monotonous plod uphill.
Photo ©Andrew Smith, reproduced under CC.
3. A final bumpy little ridge leads to the cairn on the summit at 946 metres. The views are extensive to the southeast but rather curtailed by higher mountains in other directions; there is little descent on the north northwest ridge before Cruach Ardrain and it is quite surprising that Beinn Tulaichean is regarded as a separate Munro. Follow the path down this ridge towards Cruach Ardrain.
Photo ©Andrew Smith, reproduced under CC.
4. The slopes to the bealach are easy before the slightly rougher slope which, still gently, ascends Cruach Ardrain itself. The ridge leads to a cairn on the plateau; the true summit of Cruach Ardrain is about 100 metres to the northeast, crossing a dip and passing two small cairns and then a second dip before the true summit at 1046 metres.
Photo ©Kevin Rae, reproduced under CC.
5. Retrace your steps to the bealach with Beinn Tulaichean. From here descend into the glen to the east. The slopes are mostly grassy though there are some slabby rocks to dodge on the way down. Once down to the floor of the glen a grassy track can be picked up. Follow this south back to Inverlochlarig Farm and the start of the walk.
Photo ©Andrew Smith, reproduced under CC.
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