These two Munros form the westward end of the great Ben Lawers ridge. The start at almost 550 metres makes this a short round for baggers but the terrain is very rough - and peat bogs unavoidable.
Summary
Paths are faint (a line of fenceposts helps for the ascent of Meall Corranaich); much of the going is boggy.
Terrain
NN593415
Grid ref
9.5km/5.75 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Car park just north of summit of Lairig an Lochain
[Map
of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
No public transport to the start
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. There is parking just north of the summit of the Lairig an Lochain road that links Loch Tay with Glen Lyon, marked by a large cairn. Note that is road is not kept open in the winter months. An initially good path leads from behind the cairn heading northeast onto the moors - and giving good views back over the reservoir. The path peters out in the bealach dividing Meall nan Eun from the rest of the range.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
2. Navigation for the ascent of Meall Corranaich is aided by a line of old fence posts. These lead southeast over a small hillock (which can be avoided) before bearing SSE and then southeast once more up the very broad ridge. Rather than ascending right to the top of the ridge the fence posts finally cut away left across the slopes to take a more direct line towards Meall Corranaich.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
3. Finally the going improves as the steeper southwest ridge of Meall Corranaich is gained. Climb this to reach the cairn - decorated by a rusty old fencepost. The view east is dominated by the huge bulk of Ben Lawers and the neighbouring peaks of An Stuc and Meall Garbh, but in other directions it is extensive; Ben More and Stob Binnein being prominent to the southwest. Leave the summit by following the ridge to the north, soon passing over a second minor summit.
Photo ©Graham Ellis, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
4. The ridge leading on from here to the bealach and Meall a'Choire Leith is easily missed - even in clear weather - as the natural line is to continue north and end up on the NNW ridge. The correct route is to head NNE from the northern summit, losing height to gain the lower, true north ridge. Once this is gained follow it as it curves round to the bealach, with the steep crags of Coire Leith on the right. From the bealach continue north to reach the flat summit of Meall a'Choire Leith, the least distinguished of the Lawers Munros.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
5. The route back is mostly pathless, though there are faint routes in places. Descend southwest down steep grass to gain Coire Gorm and traverse down towards the concrete intake on the Allt Gleann Da-Eig. From here continue southwest across the bogs to regain the path that descends back to the big cairn and the start.
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Route profile
