Bridge of Orchy trio

[SteadyAway]

I've often admired The Bridge of Orchy hills from road, rail and from surrounding hills and today was the day to get up close.
Not one for the early start, I got dropped off on the track to Achallader at 10.45.
At this time of year that gave me roughly 9 hours, so I wasn't sure whether I would manage 2 hills or 3. We were staying in Tyndrum and my wife had dropped me off and would pick me up, so I could choose my exit either back at Achallader or at Bridge of Orchy.
Ideally I wanted to climb 3 hills to get to my quarter round of 71.

The track starts as tarmac and even when this transitions to grass it is pretty good. There are some small burns to cross and some muddy parts but I managed to cover the roughly 6k to the river crossing in about an hour which was what I expected.

Tarmac track

.....turns to rougher track

Cross the river - pretty straightforward today

After crossing the river I headed up the hill, under the railway and then followed the path between the deer fence and the Allt Coire an Lochain up into the Coire an Lochain

Under the railway

Follow the fence

....along side the burn

I could have cut from the path before the lochan but it would have been a shame to miss it especially today with such calm conditions and the sun beating down. No doubt a great swimming place if you're so inclined.

Lochan a Creachain

I took a pretty direct route up the choire wall to the ridge, probably not the best, but I had been swayed by the route of someone coming down.

Climbing out of the coire

A very slight breeze cooling breeze on the ridge was very welcome as were the views.

.....onto the ridge

Easy progress from here to the summit.

Summit Beinn a Chreachain

Descent towards Meall Buidhe and traverse around it was pleasant. Looking ahead the climb to Beinn Achaladair looked pretty steady but as I moved forward the drop and fairly steep re-ascent was revealed.

On the ridge towards Beinn Achaladair

...climb now revealed

The fairly steep looking face hides a pretty good path so once underway this climb is easier than it first appears. On a warm day like today the North facing aspect offered welcome shade, I dare say that in winter conditions it could be a different story.

Initially steep but decent route up

After the initial steep climb, follow the ridge to the summit. First large cairn is not the actual summit, true top is a bit further on.

Ridge to Beinn Achaladair

Summit Beinn Achaladair. Loch Tulla behind

At this point I was still undecided about whether to take on Beinn an Dothaidh but whether I did or not I would be best to follow a route down to the bealach between Beinn Achaladair and Beinn an Dothaidh

Continue on Beinn Achaladair

....towards bealach with Beinn an Dothaidh

As I walked the ridge I could see the route down back to Achallader and it looked quite long and rugged. I'd read that it was quite boggy too, so not really very appealing. Alternatively from the bealach I could climb about 250m to the top of Beinn an Dothaidh then drop to the bealach between it and Beinn Dorain and from there on the map I could see a path to Bridge of Orchy.
Seemingly two similar routes out, one with another Munro bagged the other without. From a remaining daylight point of view it was tight either way. I chose to climb Beinn an Dothaidh.

I set myself a target to reach the summit by 18.00. Whether I did or didn't there wasn't a Plan B but at least I had it straight in my mind.

Summit Beinn an Dothaidh

Objective met, at summit 5 minutes inside my target. I ignored the temptation to go to the west top for the views and headed immediately across towards the bealach. Initially easy going but then pathless (did I just lose it?) and a bit boggy.

Heading to bealach with Beinn Dorain

Any hopes of a quick exit on the path I had seen on the map were quickly dispelled. It took me almost an hour to walk the 2.5k from the bealach back to Bridge of Orchy and I arrived 20 minutes after sunset.