These two rather undistinguished Munros are divided by a steep-sided and low bealach making for a strenuous day with some good views of the surrounding hills. More usually climbed via a boggy approach from Auchessan to the south, this northerly route gives slightly drier going but involves a river crossing near the start.
Summary
Mostly gentle hills but with a very steep and time consuming descent and reascent to pass from one to the other. Much of the route is pathless and the start and end involves a river crossing, impossible under spate.
Terrain
NN465364
Grid ref
17.5km/10.75 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
Public transport
1. Drive down the Glen Lochay road from Killin and after about 11km pass Kenknock Farm on your right. Be wary of the condition of the road, potholes and the last cattle grid as you pass the farm. Shortly after the farm, where the road bends sharply to the right, continue straight on for a few metres onto a track and park on the left in the large available space. Start the walk by continuing on the track, immediately over a bridge and through a gate. If the gate is open don’t attempt to drive down this track, it is suitable for proper Land Rovers only. The footbridge shown on some OS maps after 1.5km no longer exists; instead turn left on the track leading to Lubchurran cottage and cross the ford. Note that if the River Lochay appears too high to be forded (you may judge this as you drive along Glen Lochay), and also as an alternate initial route, from the starting point cross the river by the Hydro track that zig zags to the top of the pipeline and gain the ridge to Meall a'Churain from there. Note that most of the forestry plantation shown here has now gone. For the return the footbridge at Badour could be used followed by a walk along the track to the starting point.
2. Continue through gates and up the track toward the cottage, pass it on the right and continue up the track after having gone through another gate. There is a small waterfall behind the cottage. 1km later there is a branch in the track to the left that leads to a small dam, take this and cross the burn just above the dam (the track continues after the branch but this is not shown on the OS 1:50000 map). Now head east, climb up to the ridge top and then turn south for the walk up the ridge where there is a faint and intermittent path and a few boggy sections. Meall a’Churain is reached from where the cairn of Sgiath Chuil is a further 1km. From here Ben More dominates the view to the south, to the north there are views of your later route to Meall Glas and beyond that Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnaich across Glen Lochay.
3. Retrace your steps back along the ridge toward Meall a’Churain, as you start into the dip angle slightly to the west and descend gentle stony slopes. Where the slope steepens, look for a patch of boulders and descend steeply to the west through these to the bealach. From here it is possible to ascend to the summit of Beinn Cheathaich and follow the ridge to Meall Glas but for a more interesting outing and to avoid walking the ridge twice, ascend to Coire na Saobhaidhe below the ridge. This quiet, unfrequented and sheltered place with the ridge above and a small pool and stream would make a fine stop for tea or a wild camping spot.
4. Now traverse beneath the ridge heading south west then turn north west up the obvious spur that comes down from the main ridge, the summit of Meall Glas will now come into view. After a short ascent and immediately below a boulder section, turn to the west along a convenient sheep track across a plateau. The remaining 100m of ascent to the summit cairn of Meall Glas can now be made approaching from the south east. Ben Challum appears close to the west with Ben Lui in the distance to its left along with the full Crianlarich range to the south and closer views of Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnaich to the north.
5. The return journey starts with a 1.5km walk east then north east around the curved ridge, into a dip before the short ascent to the trig point on Beinn Cheathaich. Now head down the ridge, keeping slightly east of north to the start of the track after about 1.2km. From here the track can be followed to Lubchurran if desired, giving drier going, but it does add to the distance by heading south east before turning back to the north. Alternatively, continue down the ridge, heading slightly further east where you will pass a built pile of stones near a large boulder. From here Lubchurran can be seen, descend across slightly steeper ground to join the track just above the cottage for the return back across the ford and to the starting point.
This walk was contributed by yokehead
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