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Driving from the west and not wanting to take the long and winding road into Inverlochlarig I decided to tackle these hills from Crianlarich. I parked up on the verge just south of Crianlarich just after 8am. There’s a bridge across the railway not far from the road which marks the start of the walk.
- Bridge marking the start of the walk
There’s a faint track which skirts the side of the trees. If you manage to stick to it, it's slightly less boggy than the rest of the field. Further up you can follow the fence posts minus wire until they are hidden by fallen trees.
- The remaining fence posts marking the track
- Cairn marking footpath
It’s a short distance to a forestry track which I managed to follow up and around a bend to a cairn and another footpath along the next fire break. The final track through the trees is extremely muddy and overgrown to the point I was literally dragging myself through trees backward to avoid the mud particularly since I ended up knee deep in mud at one point. Thankfully after about 20 minutes I came out the forest and was very pleased to reach open hillside.
- The muddy section!
From here the path heads up to Grey Heights which I ascended in thick mist crossing a stile and continuing up onto Meall Dhamh which is dotted with small tarns. Coming out the mist to great views over the clouds the path then headed steeply up to Cruach Ardrain. I had wonderful panoramic 360 degree views and the top to myself.
- Cruach Ardrain Summit with Ben More and Stob Binnean in the background
From hear it was an easy enough walk along a grassy ridge to Beinn Tulaichean. Once reached I had stunning views south and east with mountain tops peaking through the cloud. I had lunch at the tiny cairn as I took in the view. Where's someone to take a photo when you need so it was a self timer job!
- Looking across to Beinn Tulaichean
- My best selfie!
- Above the clouds
The descent almost followed the track back up to Cruach Ardrain turning off at twin cairns to descend back along the Meall Dhamh ridge and back through the forest. A grand autumn day out with above average temperatures and no need for waterproofs, what more could you ask for.
