Ben Vrackie on a quiet Monday.

[AlastairStevenson]

Ben Vrackie at 841m is a very popular Corbett to climb – very accessible via transport to Pitlochry, and very accessible on the walk without a lengthy walk-in.
Last time I climbed it was in 2003, when the upper path was still in the process of being re-laid in stone.
The upper path now consists almost entirely of fairly small stone steps, which make for a very durable and obvious route, easy to ascend on the steep sections. However – there is still a fair bit of erosion at the sides as walkers are avoiding the steps in places, especially on the way down where the small step sizes are a bit awkward.

A nice easy day out, on a cloudy but dry day with occasional sunshine. And some pretty good views from the summit.
There is a very convenient car park at Moulin, just North of Pitlochrie.
The track followed was that documented and described in WH - except that the return path via the Bealach is missing from this GPX export view.

2011-06-20 1118 Ben Vrackie.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Information sign in the car park at Moulin.

A steep start via mixed woodland.

The start of the walk is a fairly steep stretch through mixed woodland, beside a stream and over a couple of bridges.

Steeper than it looks , through mixed woodland.

Very soon you are out into the open on a wide gravel track, fairly steady uphill but not too steep, with the destination showing on the horizon. There are a couple of benches where you can stop to take in the developing views south to Pitlochry and beyond.

One of a couple of bridges across the burn.

After a fairly steady climb, the steep final path comes into view as you approach the flat section crossing the dam at the head of Loch a'Choire.

The early part of the motorway...

Approaching the dam at Loch a'Choire

After traversing the path at the dam, the path continues quite steeply, consisting mostly of rather robust stone steps.

The start of the well-made steps

At one point, this smart little fellow crossed my path.
I’m wondering if it knew of its hitchhiker that was along for the ride …

A traveller and companion crosses the path.

Looking back, some pretty good views to the South were opening up, with the well-defined path very visible.

The view back down.

And the last couple of hundred metres to the summit. No false summits to disappoint – the cairn has been visibile pretty well all the way.

The last 200m to the summit.

The trig point.

To the North are the Munros of Beinn a'Ghlo - these look like a really tempting if demanding target for another walk in the area, and will be the subject of some research back home.

Well these look interesting!

Plenty of views all round, enough to make it worth tarrying for a bit to absorb them all.

The summit cairn looking pretty solid.

Looking back at the path up.

Loads of pointers on the summit plate – but it’s getting pretty worn, with parts a bit hard to read.

The summit plate - a bit worn.

A little bit of a cool breeze can have a big effect on thinned-out hair …

Not so sure about the hair.

The Garry and Loch Tummel over to the West

Plenty to see in the West.

To add a bit of interest and length, I took the Bealach route for the return.
There are loads of small paths crossed on the way, with some uncertainty as to which to take. In reality though, it wouldn’t matter much which one as they head in a broadly similar direction, they just vary in the extent to which they go round or over the hill.
Looking back, this is where the path joins the landrover track that heads off to Killiecrankie.

A t-junction in the Bealach path.

And looking back from the end of the Bealach route, the outbound path is rejoined, with a relaxing stroll back down to the car park.

The Bealach path re-joins the main path.

A steep start via mixed woodland.

All in all - a pleasant and straightforward day.

[walk aboot]

Nice photos, looks like a good straightforward walk

[Vick1]

Exactly how I remember it but without the views

[Thang]

Very useful notes, especially for first time walker in the area.