Beinn a'Chaorainn and Beinn Teallach - a fantastic day out

[Caleb Wright]

Finally a good weather forecast for a day in the hills, we picked these two hoping there location would offer some good views in multiple directions. They didn't disappoint. We parked in a layby near Roughburn on the A86, we had a short road walk and then turned up a good forestry track just east of the Allt a' Chaorainn bridge. The good track curved up through dark woodland as we passed some impressive spider webs. At a junction we turned right and descended slightly to exit the woods in a very boggy field. The next part of the walk was a bit tortuous. I knew the general direction to head in (up the northwest flank of Meall Clachaig), and at times found an boggy ATV track heading in the right direction, it would then disappear, a boggy path would later appear and disappear. I knew from reading reports that I was looking for a stile and it was a bit of a relief to reach it!

Spider webs at the start

Forestry track

A boggy way up Meall Clachaig

The stile at last

After the stile the path steepened a little more but became somewhat drier. We ascended to the west of Coire Clachaig all the time the views of Loch Treig and its munros becoming more sublime. We reached the first of three tops on Beinn a' Chaorainn and took in the fantastic views before heading to the middle top which is the summit. The ridge walk on the top was a delight but I could see how it could be treacherous if corniced as the drop to the east from the three tops is very steep. From the summit the views continued to be amazing, with a whole load of munros to the north of the Great Glen that I am not yet familiar with. I did pick out the Loch Lochy pair which I completed last year.

The Loch Lochy pair as we ascended

The summit ridge of Beinn a'Chaorainn

Loch Treig and the Easains.

On the summit of Beinn a'Chaorainn

Creag Meagaidh

Many mountains to the north

More mountains to the north

Next it was time to aim for the bealach separating Beinn a'Chaorainn from Beinn Teallach, there is meant to be a cairn in the centre of it but somehow we missed this while descending over increasingly steep and bouldery slopes. We could then see the main path people were taking up Beinn Teallach but we had come too far to the north. We decided to just head for the ridgeline and see if there was a path. The path we found was excellent and weaved around the craggy slopes taking us at a nice angle to the summit. The views from here were just as impressive, with the sun shining on Loch Treig and the Easain munros looking superb. There were also views to the Grey Corries, a number of munros in the Ben Alder group as well as a vast swathe of impressive looking mountains to the north.

Heading over boulders to the bealach

Beinn Teallach from the slops of Beinn a'Chaorainn

The bealach

Craggy Beinn Teallach

Summit of Beinn Teallach

Parallel roads of Glen Roy

The view south

The Easains looking fantastic

Ben Alder group northern munros

After our good path up to the summit of Beinn Teallach we were hoping for more of the same back down. Either we missed a good path or there was none. The way soon became very boggy and we simply aimed for the corner of the forestry below. We eventually picked up a very boggy ATV track and passed through a gate before the track improved slightly as it went down towards the Allt a'Chaorainn. We took one last look at the amazing looking Easain pair and then forded the water, although not paying attention I ended up with a good amount of the burn in my boots! Finally we reached the good forestry track and enjoyed a gentle stroll back to the A86 and the car. A wonderful day in the hills.

A boggy way down

An awesome sight

A burn to cross

A final picture of the Easains

[johnbythell]

Great report, thanks! Those boulder fields and the descent from Beinn a' Chaorainn to the bealach in general brought back some harsh memories - it goes on forever!