Ardlui to Tyndrum via Ben Oss

[fattie.boo]

A great varied walk from Ardlui to Tyndrum, starting on the WHW before heading across bleak terrain to bag 1 (or 2) Munros, followed by a decent following waterfalls down to Tyndrum with cracking views to the North.

Take the train to Ardlui on the WH Line. A ferry takes you across Loch Lomond to the WHW (ferry runs on request as you turn up in the Marina, cost £3) which you then follow North to past Beinglas waterfalls, affording excellent views to the South across the North end of Loch Lomond.

A short 1km walk along the (rather busy) A82 takes you to the start of a track which loops upwards into the hills to the West of the road. Follow this NWW until you reach a bend in the pipeline which points towards Ben Lui. Follow the track further, which runs along the side of the pipeline until this ends and then heads more steeply Northwards towards Ben Oss. This whole area has a really bleak feel to it now and you are a fair way from civilisation. Great views looking East over the Crianlarich Munros too.

When the track ends, continue northwards across spongy turf heading still northwards towards the rounded peak of Ben Oss. From the 750m contour the ground becomes rockier with shattered rocks interspersed with more spongey grass tufts. Eventually you will feed into a stepped rocky path which links Ben Oss with Ben Lui - follow this to the summit of Ben Oss.

From the summit head Northwards, continuing along the same path which follows the broad ridgeline over a smaller peak and into the bealach between Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhchraig which is host to 3 small ponds. A climb now take you on towards the summit of the latter.

The weather didn't justify heading to the summit of Beinn Dubhchraig when I walked this (you couldn't see a thing) so instead I headed down North from the small lake on the way to this, heading down the shallow-angled spur that protrudes to the North here. There is a path on this side of the peak but I only hooked up with this lower down - this must head off from just beyond this lake I think.

The path the descends progressively, following the West bank of Alte Coire Bhuidhe. After a period of rain this stream is quite spectacular with kilometers of waterfalls culminating in a 50m drop as you approach the forest - well worth a look an a great contrast to the bleak landscape above. The path becomes vague as you enter the wooded area but keep on the West bank of the stream and you can't go wrong. Underfoot it is very boggy now however!

At grid ref. 297277 there is a footbridge marked on the 1:25000 OS map for this area. This exists but has been partially destroyed by floodwater (impressive since the FB is approx 2m above the normal waterlevel!). This necessitated a wade through the river to gain the East bank which was safe enough (although midge-tastic). From here a track crosses the railway, feeding into the WHW which leads through the community forest into Tyndrum.

A long walk across some tiring terrain but well worth it for the views, the varied landscapes and remote feel which approaching Ben Oss.