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Arrived at the large lay by on the A85 at 06.15 on a very hot, humid and cloudy morning. The forecast was for mist in the glens and a band of cloud between 700 and 900 meters, which would gradually clear as the day progressed.
Suited and booted for 06.30 and left over the stile in the fence.
![Stile at lay by.jpg]()
- Stile at lay by
Down the gravel path and under the railway.
![Railway underpass.jpg]()
- Railway underpass
Over the new bridge, watch out for construction traffic, something going on upriver, couldn't quite make out what.
![Construction further up river.jpg]()
- Bridge
Then it was a walk up on the road for about a kilometer and a half, until you come to the end of the trees on your left hand side across the River Falloch. You will see a wooden footbridge down at the river, leave the road here and cross. The gate was securely tied shut and had to be climbed over, no problem.
![Bridge over Falloch river.jpg]()
- Bridge over River Falloch
![Gate locked, up and over.jpg]()
- Gate tied shut, up and over
Then it is a bit of a slog up through the long grass. Just follow the fence line and head up.
![Bit misty up there.jpg]()
- Bit misty uphill
This must be a boggy one if the weather is wet at all, not to bad today after a little rain through the night.
Upon reaching the ridge line you will see a large stile on the fence on your left,
![Stile at top of tree line.jpg]()
- Stile
turn right here and follow the path uphill.
From here there is a steeper section up to the top of Grey Height, a fine viewpoint on a clear day
![Grey heights, well named today.jpg]()
- Grey Height, well named today
![Grey Heights, clear for a moment.jpg]()
- Grey Height, clear for a moment
![View from Grey Heights.jpg]()
- View from Grey Height
From here, follow the path up the ridge, eventually coming upon Meall Dhamh, at 814 meters the high point on the ridge.
![Ben More and Stob Binnein from Meall Dhamh, honest.jpg]()
- Ben More from Meall Dhamh, honest
![View down into Coire Ardrain.jpg]()
- View int Coire Ardrain
![Almost mist ewe, ha ha.jpg]()
- Almost mist ewe, ha ha
From here, there is a sharp drop down, but nothing too scary
![Drop from Meall Dhamh and following climb.jpg]()
- Drop from Meall Dhamh
Up over the next rise and then another drop and then back up again.
![One more drop down and climb back up.jpg]()
- Down and back up again
Now, through a gap in the cloud, I got my first real look at Cruach Ardrain close up.
![Shoulder of Cruach Ardrain.jpg]()
- Shoulder of Cruach Ardrain
![View back down ridge.jpg]()
- View back down ridge
The path now heads uphill very steeply and after a bit of a climb you arrive at a small cairn, left for Cruach Ardrain and right for Beinn Tulaichean which I chose to visit first.
![Cairn, left Cruach Ardrain, right Beinn Tulaichean.jpg]()
- Cairn
It was a pleasant walk down and then back up a broad grassy ridge to the summit, the views would probably be lovely on a clear day.
![Summit of Beinn Tulaichean.jpg]()
- Summit of Beinn Tulaichean
![View from Beinn Tulaichean, cracking.jpg]()
- View from summit, cracking
Sat for a while and had my lunch. Very quiet and peaceful. No wind and quite warm.
Walked back along the ridge, passed the cairn and up to the summit of Cruach Ardrain.
Same story up here, no views but nice and peaceful.
Sat for a while and tried to picture the views.
![Ben More and Stob Binnein from Cruach Ardrain summit.jpg]()
- Cruach Ardrain summit
![Path to Stob Garbh from Cruach Ardrain sunnit.jpg]()
- Path to Stob Garbh from Cruach Ardrain, not today thank you
Going back down is just a case of retracing your steps, bit easier going downhill.
A nice walk, shame about the views.
Better luck next time.
