Meall Corranaich & Meall a'Choire Leith

LOCH TAY AND GLEN LYON


Summary :	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.
Terrain :	Paths are faint (a line of fenceposts helps for the ascent of Meall Corranaich); much of the going is boggy.
Grade :		Distance :	9.5km/5.75 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	5 – 6 hours
Start :	Car park just north of summit of Lairig an Lochain	Grid ref :	NN593415
Map :	View an OS map of this route Buy Explorer 378 – Ben Lawers	Ascent :	740m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more Open all walks in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	No public transport to the start[Click for timetables]

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 pointy 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.

Have you done this walk?

If so, why not be the first comment on it in our Forum. If you start a new topic in the walking discussion with the name of this walk as the topic, we will link the discussion to the walk so that others can read your comments here.

Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?

Please let us know by using the error report form.

Route profile

Accommodation links for this area:
Loch Tay: Aberfeldy & Killin Hotels and Inns
Perthshire B&B (Bed and Breakfasts)
Self catering cottages in Loch Tay: Aberfeldy & Killin
Perthshire bunkhouses and hostels