Route advice for a 3-day hike from Blair Athol

[houndkirk]

Hi!

I'm planning a mini autumn adventure to spend 3 days ticking off a few munros in a loop from Blair Athol.
I've worked out a route on OS maps which looks feasible, but as I don't know the area at all, I was wondering if some of you more experienced folk would mind casting an eye over it and pointing out any obvious flaws - just so I don't get too wet or die, really?

The basic plan is to head up to Beinn a' Ghlo via Cran Liath then head north and camp 1st night somewhere suitable between Meall Gharran and the old shielings marked at the confluence of An Lochain and the Tilt. 2nd day would take me along the banks of the Tilt and then take the track up to Carn a' Chlamain before heading to Loch Mhairc via Aonach na Cloiche Moire and Braighe Sron Ghorm, camping on the northern side of Loch Mhairc. 3rd day would be Beinn Dearg via Elrig 'ic an Toisich then back to Blair Athol on a roughly SSE heading, following the path & tracks.

As a newbie, it appears that I'm not allowed to post a link, so hopefully this image will serve as a rough idea:

I'm a fellrunner, so reasonably fit and spent 3 days hiking around Cairngorm and Lairig Ghru skyline last summer, so I have a notion of roughly what to expect to experience in terms of terrain and all-the-weather-in-one-day.

Any advice on the route and potential camping spots, including "don't do it" would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Trevor

[Magoo82]

Yeah I guess you could camp the first night near point 7 on your map although if you continue north for about 1km along the path to Bedford Bridge there's a good flat grassy area right next to the Tilt that is perfect for camping.

[jmarkb]

I think you should find somewhere reasonable near Loch Mhairc: I have a camped by the burn a km or two to the south.
The mid level terrain hereabouts is pretty awful going - deep heather and peat hags - so it's best to stick to high ground and tracks as far as possible.

Crossing the Tilt at your point 7 could be problem, and traversing the S bank to the bridge at point 8 not much fun. It might be better to descend more directly from Meall a' Mhuirich towards the bridge - it looks like there are some decent pitches thereabouts: http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NN9576

To maximise bagging efficiency (which is not everybody's primary concern), you might want to consider doing Scarsoch and Fhidhleir instead of Beinn a' Ghlo: the latter is a straightforward day trip, whereas these two are along way from anywhere!

[Driftwood]

The mid level terrain hereabouts is pretty awful going - deep heather and peat hags - so it's best to stick to high ground and tracks as far as possible.
...
To maximise bagging efficiency (which is not everybody's primary concern), you might want to consider doing Scarsoch and Fhidhleir instead of Beinn a' Ghlo: the latter is a straightforward day trip, whereas these two are along way from anywhere!

This was walked clockwise, in dry summer conditions (and visiting bothies instead of camping), but gives one way of combining these four (Beinn Dearg, Carn a'Chlamain, Scarsoch and Fhidleir):
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=64797

Though it wasn't necessarily the most "efficient" route in that I opted to include the Corbett Beinn Mheadhonach when Beinn Bhreac may have been a better option.

The bog and heather wasn't a problem in the weather I enjoyed, but I'd certainly imagine that keeping on high, solid ground would be preferable in "normal" conditions.

[Essan]

As noted above: from Meall a Mhuirich, drop down to the bridge near point 8 - the Tilt can be tricky to ford. There are good camping spots by the bridge.

[GillSte]

I've used the route down to the bridge mentioned by everyone else. On old maps, there's a path shown which was fairly clear on the ground when I used it. I camped on nice grassy flats close to the bridge near the waterfall, though I have to say that the noise from the waterfall kept me awake a long while! I was doing a linear walk to Coylumbridge, and found good camping spots very easily on the way. Knowing the Munros that you're heading to, you shouldn't have any problems.

[NickyRannoch]

I live in Dundee so could be up to Blair Atholl early and home 90 minutes after getting back in my car again but that is potentially a two day trip in my opinion, especially if you are as fit as your hobbies suggest.

If you live further away maybe not and of course there is no need to rush.

I think your second day would be very short, especially, if as recommended you drop to the bridge.

If munro bagging is the aim, I would agree with the advice above that Carn an Fhidhleir and An Sgarsoch would be more efficient use of a multi day trip into those parts and leave Beinn a' Ghlo for a day walk.

[Sunset tripper]

There is a wire bridge across the tilt round about point 7 on your map. I have had a look at it before (though not crossed it) it is quite high above the river and I'm not sure about it's condition or strength but you could have a look at it if you were camping there. There is a great spot to visit upstream at the Bedford Bridge - an old suspension bridge that crosses the Tarf where it flows into the Tilt. The Tarf is the bigger of the two rivers here and you might well be able to ford the Tilt at this point and then use the Bedford Bridge to cross the Tarf.
The route jmarkb suggests might well be the safer option though if the water levels are high as the river is the biggest obstacle on your map.
Looks a decent route though taking in a few munros. All the best.

[houndkirk]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. It's been very helpful. I'll be travelling from Sheffield, so it seemed most practical to give it three full days in the hills with overnight stops before and after in Blair Athol.

As suggested by most of you, I've decided to drop down to the bridge in Glen Tilt from Meall a' Mhuirich rather than go further north and risk not being able to ford the Tilt. I'll find somewhere to camp near the bridge.

Although this trip was primarily just to explore and have a bit of an adventure rather than a munro-bagging exercise, I've taken your suggestions on and extended day 2 to take in Carn an Fhidhleir and An Sgarsoch and camp at Loch Mhairc.

If the weather turns, I could always drop back to the Tarf Hotel for the night and walk out via the Tarf and Glen Tilt.

The revised route map is below

[mountainstar]

Just incase you did not know, and need a bad weather alternative to bed down for the night, there is a bothy not too far from your high route.
https://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/bothies/eastern-highlands/tarf-hotel-feith-uaine/

Edit...just saw your last post, you know about the Bothy.

[houndkirk]

Always worth mentioning as I hadn't spotted it on my first plan, but driftwood mentioned it in their walk report. Thanks

[prog99]

Also just in case you weren’t aware. Carn an Fhidhleir and An Sgarsoch can be very tricky to get to if the Tarf is in spate. There’s also what looks on the map as a wee burn next to the hotel that can be quite a serious crossing as well.

Enjoy your trip though, it’s a lovely area to explore.

[houndkirk]

Also just in case you weren’t aware. Carn an Fhidhleir and An Sgarsoch can be very tricky to get to if the Tarf is in spate. There’s also what looks on the map as a wee burn next to the hotel that can be quite a serious crossing as well.

Enjoy your trip though, it’s a lovely area to explore.

Thanks for the tip. I'll make sure to have some alternatives up my sleeve in case the Tarf proves awkward.

[Giant Stoneater]

Here is my trip report the 2nd day will give you an idea of how quickly the River Tilt can rise in less than 10hrs,the terrain is not the most enjoyable going from the Tarf Hotel and over Carn an Fhidhleir and An Sgarsoch the area is like a big sponge when wet.

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=20937

[houndkirk]

Nice write-up, thanks for sharing! Made me wonder whether I should do your route instead as it sounds great. I'll save that for another time, though, I think. But definitely noted that I may need to cross the Tarf in my underpants, so I'll make sure I have some clean ones for the occasion