Bridge of Orchy to Tyndrum via Beinn Dorain & Beinn Mhanach

[SteadyAway]

I know that this is a slightly odd route choice but I had missed Beinn Dorain when I did Beinn à Chreachain, Beinn Achaladair and Beinn an Dothaidh last year (lazy late start as usual). I had Beinn Dorain and Beinn Mhanach down as "singles" on my remaining list but the weather was so good I decided to combine them into one day's walk.
I got dropped at Bridge of Orchy and had planned my route to finish at Tyndrum where I was staying for the week.

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I took the route to the station, under the railway line and onto the path heading up to the bealach between Beinn an Dothaidh and Beinn Dorain. I had descended this way less than a year ago so it all felt familiar.

Heading up to the bealach

From the bealach I followed a well trodden route up Beinn Dorain. Great views in all directions and as I got higher Beinn a Chuirn and Beinn Mhanach came into view. I knew that my route involved a fair amount of descent and re-ascent and this was now clear to see.

From the bealach heading up Beinn Dorain

Beinn a Chuirn and Beinn Mhanach

Past the Carn Sasunnaich:

Cairn Sasunnaich

.....and on to the true summit

Summit ridge

Summit cairn

Views South to Crianlarich hills:

Crianlarich hills

S.W. to Ben Lui group:

Tyndrum hills

N.W.

To the North West

...and my route back North then North East down the ridge over Meall Garbh:

Ridge down over Meall Garbh

Ridge fairly steady to start then a little more craggy as I descended down to the peaty area approaching Allt Coire a Ghathalach. It looks as if this area would often be boggy but after the recent dry weather it wasn't.

Easy going at the start of the descent

Getting steeper

Less boggy than expected

I crossed the burn, had a drink and topped up my water bottles.

Allt Coire a Ghathalach with Beinn a Chuirn ahead

On the North side of the burn I traversed across the hillside at a height of around 550m heading towards Beinn a Chuirn, The dry conditions were a definite help on this section.

Traverse around to Allt an Loin

At the foot of Beinn a Chroin I picked up a track alongside the Allt an Loin and followed this before turning East onto the pathless hillside and heading up Beinn a Chroin to skirt around it's summit and pick up the high bealach between it and Beinn Mhanach.

Steep climb up Beinn a Chuirn

Beinn Mhanach from Beinn a Chuirn bealach

Beinn Mhanach summit

From the top of Beinn Mhanach I headed straight down the hill and picked up the track in Gleann Achadh-innis Chailein. I followed this to the West Highland Way and then back to Tyndrum.

Down Beinn Mhanach roughly towards head of Loch Lyon

My route back - straight down the glen