The eastern three Munros of the Lawers range give an excellent circuit of the corrie holding Lochan nan Cat, the finest feature of the range. The recently-promoted Munro of An Stuc involves a steep scramble and this route is much more challenging than the usual trade route to Ben Lawers itself. The walk can easily be extended to take in the higher summit.
Summary
There is a steep and loose scramble to ascend An Stuc. Apart from this, and a fairly steep grassy gully on the descent to the boggier ground around Lochan nan Cat, the ridgewalk is straightforward. There is not a continuous path for this walk.
Terrain
NN677395
Grid ref
16.5km/10.25 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Users'
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Public transport
1. For many years parking for this route was a real problem but there is now a walkers car park built by the Lawers Hotel; you can either pay a charge or go for a drink or meal there after the walk instead. Begin the walk by heading east (carefully!) along the main road. After half a kilometre along there is a white-painted cottage on the left selling antler and bone-carved products. Turn left up the track immediately beyond this; Meall Greigh can be seen ahead through the fields. After a very short distance Machuim Farm is reached and the track goes right. Follow the good path (signed) which continues ahead and then climbs up through the woods close to the Lawers burn.
Photo: Graeme Dewar
2. After a second stile the trees are left behind and the Ben Lawers National Nature reserve is entered by a sign. Beyond it the path passes through an area dotted with old shielings, where folk once would have lived during the summer months. The path beyond soon descends into the deep gully of the Lawers burn; don't follow this but instead leave the main path and keep high above the burn on its east side. The ascent to Meall Greigh from here is long and fairly featureless; the exact route taken probably doesn't matter - one option is to follow a minor side stream northwards to give a little interest during this climb; alternatively you could head up more directly over Sron Mhor. The recompense is in the fine views of Loch Tay behind.
Photo: Alastair S
3. Meall Greigh is rather a sprawling and shapeless Munro but its slightly detached position at the eastern end of the Lawers Range makes it an extensive viewpoint. Most eyes will be drawn west along the broad ridge to be followed to Meall Garbh, backed by steep An Stuc and massive Ben Lawers behind, with the tiny Lochan nan Cat cradled in front of them. Descend along the ridge - more of a moorland at this point - to the bealach of Lairig Innein.
Photo: Stretch
4. Beyond the bealach, climb the slopes ahead to gain the better defined final ridge which curves round to the left to reach Meall Garbh. This second Munro of the day is a mighty 1118 metres, its summit on second of the two parallel little ridges along the top. Ben Lawers now looms much closer but all eyes will be drawn to the next peak on the ridge - An Stuc - which rises intimidatingly steeply from the next bealach. Continue down the ridge to its foot.
Photo: Alastair S
5. The ascent to this peak is a steep scramble and somewhat loose - great care is required, particularly in the wet. In winter this ascent can be very difficult indeed. The cairn at the summit will probably be reached with some relief. At 1118 metres An Stuc is exactly the same height as Meall Garbh; for many years this led to controversy as only the latter peak had Munro status. All was resolved in 1997 when An Stuc was itself promoted to be a Munro as well. Its status is well deserved as this is the finest peak in the Lawers range. Continue down the easier south ridge to reach Bealach Dubh.
Photo: Alastair S
6. From here a decision must be made. It is possible to continue and include Ben Lawers to make a fine circuit of Lochan nan Cat, descending along its east ridge and then northeast to regain the path up to the corrie. Others (probably having climbed Lawers before) will have had enough, and will instead carefully descend the very steep grassy gully close by the stream to head down to the lochan. From here continue east along the exit stream, following it to a dam used by the Lawers hydro scheme. A track leaves here - follow it for a brief distance before onto a clear path that keeps high above the Lawers ravine. Further on the path descends into the ravine and crosses a footbridge before rejoining the outward route and leading back to the start.
Photo: Alastair S
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