free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I'd climbed Beinn Challum from the A82 a few months previously and found it to be a disappointing slog only to read later about better routes up from the Glen Lochay side, with this in mind I was determined to make my climb up Beinn Mhanach as exciting as I could.
I had 3 days at my disposal (Thur, Fri, Sat), my original plan was to cycle in from Lubreoch Dam at Pubil on the Wed after work and camp at the track end in Glen Cailllich then climb Beinn's Chreachain, Achaladair and Mhanach, however the weather wasn't ideal for camping so I opted for a climb up Beinn Mhanach instead.
![IMG_4025.JPG]()
- In the shadow of Lubreoch Dam
I arrived at Pubil at midnight on the Wed night and slept in the car (I have a sleeping platform in it), after a quick breakfast I set off on my bike at 7am.
![IMG_4033.JPG]()
- Lubreoch Dam
The track around the northern side of the loch is rough and hilly, it took over 2 hours to cycle it's length (first time on my bike in over a year), eventually I got to the point for the climb up the hill.
![IMG_4046.JPG]()
- Loch Lyon
The hill itself was no mean effort as the starting elevation is already quite high but the cycle took a fair amount of energy, however after 2 hours (at a leisurely pace) I reached the summit.
![IMG_4055.JPG]()
- Summit Selfie
The steepness of the ascent on this route is very consistent the whole way to the top, very much on a par with Ben More when climbed from the A85 and could easily be climbed in under an hour by those with good hill fitness.
![IMG_4050.JPG]()
- ET
![IMG_4053.JPG]()
- The head of Loch Lyon
The descent off the hill takes just over half an hour but go easy as you still have a 12km cycle back to Pubil, those wishing to camp or bivy could easily do so at either one of the two large byres that are on the north and south sides of the loch.
