Beinn Dearg makes for a very long hill-walk through mostly straightforward terrain. The views are extensive and with a different route for the return this is an enjoyable day.
Summary
Good landrover track for the approach and hill-paths on higher ground. The route is however exposed and long.
Terrain
NN874662
Grid ref
29km/18 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Old Bridge of Tilt car park
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
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Maps
Users'
rating
None to Old Bridge of Tilt; Blair Atholl buses and trains only a kilometre away.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Park at the well-signed car park near the Old Bridge of Tilt. The walk is waymarked with black arrows and begins by leaving the car park via the entrance and turning left along the road. Soon it forks; take the right hand branch which slopes gently uphill. Soon it reaches a cross-roads of routes. Head straight across onto a track leading past a bungalow. This track leads into the attractive mixed Banvie woodlands. Keep to the main track up the east side of the burn ignoring the branches down to the left that lead to two bridges. A gate with a tall stile marks the end of the forestry.
2. The good track continues, now across empty moorland. It soon climbs away from Glen Banvie, reaching a prominent and well built cairn before ascending again, passing to the right of the hummock of Tom nan Cruach. Follow the track as it winds above the eastern side of the Allt an t-Seaphail and climbs over a low bealach at 514 metres.
3. The track then descends slightly to reach the Allt Sheicheachan bothy. This is an open shelter maintained by voluneers from the Mountain Bothy Association - please help them by carrying out any litter and keeping the place tidy. It also helps if you can leave a report on the state of the bothy at its page on the MBA website. From the bothy, the ascent continues by crossing the burn and following a fainter track up its west side. The climb contains for some distance before the track becomes an old stalkers path and rises a little above the stream and then continues in a series of zigzags to gain more height.
Photo derived from ©Thomas Stenhouse, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
4. The path continues clearly, being slightly eroded as it crosses the now open, rolling slopes. A minor cairned top is crossed; the true summit of Beinn Dearg is in view not far beyond. The old path actually passes a little to the left of the summit but most of those using it these days are headed for the large windshelter cairn (with a trig point inside) that marks the Munro of Beinn Dearg at 1008 metres. The whole summit area is covered with rounded granite rocks.
Photo derived from ©Bill Copland, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
5. The return walk can be made the same way. Alternatively, once back alongside the Allt Scheicheachan, you can vary the route by leaving the outward route and following a bulldozed track on the other side of the stream that climbs slightly and then contours round the southwest slopes of Beinn a'Chait. This track, which isn't marked on OS maps, then descends to reach the headwaters of the Allt Slanaidh, soon running alongside its eastern side. At a wooden shed it crosses the stream and continues down the west side.
Photo ©Bill Copland, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
6. Continue down the track which eventually enters the forestry by a gate in the deer fence. It now passes above the Glen Tilt rifle range - there are great views from here of the upper Tilt. Join in with a larger track and continue through the woods high on the west side of the glen. Ignore smaller tracks off to the left (down) and to the right (up) and stay on the main track, passing the steading at Blairuachar. The track becomes a tree-lined lane, with good views over the castellated farmhouse of Bailanloan. It then descends to rejoin the outward route at a cross-roads. Turn left here along the minor road to return to the car park.
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