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Guide book routes are normally good - they are tried and tested and follow the wisdom of many experienced mountaineers over many years...
...but very occasionally you look at a map and the description and it just doesn't look right. The standard head-on approach to Ben Challum is one of those. A straight up and back route on what every description acknowledges is a boring and boggy route. So why do it???
Instead we started at Auchtertyre Farm (SAC research station) and headed up the track up Gleann a' Chlachain - keeping L of the river. This climbs nicely up the glen through some terrain that has been wonderfully fenced from the sheep and deer pest and is regenerating nicely.
- Looking back down the approach glen - with the track behind
At the end of the track a wee climb gains the bealach just below 600m below the good looking NW ridge of Ben Challum. A nice looking ascent and far, far preferable to the usual route (but which makes a perfectly good descent route).
- NW ridge of Ben Challum
The ascent ends pretty much on the summit of Ben Challum leaving the wonderful summit ridge as a descent towards the lesser top.
Further on, trend R towards the rail viaduct and you can again pass under it - this time on the SE side of the river (L as you are looking down the glen).
- Descending towards the rail viaduct - over 100 years old!
Just after you have passed underneath there is a stile and a lovely wee walk down through the woods next to the river to finish through the farm and a bridge back to the NW side of the river and back to the car.
The route: