walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Four Munros from Inverlochlarig

Four Munros from Inverlochlarig


Postby Astronick » Thu May 13, 2010 9:17 am

Munros included on this walk: An Caisteal, Beinn a' Chròin, Beinn Tulaichean, Cruach Àrdrain

Date walked: 08/05/2010

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 24 km

Ascent: 1977m

2 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Note: I already post my walk reports on another similar site and on my own blog so I don't usually post them a third time, however, it seems there have been a few variations on a similar theme recently (multiple Munros from Inverlochlarig) on this site and I met one of the forum members (Gable Gable End) during the walk so thought other members might be interested in my report and photos from this brilliant day in the southern highlands :) There are many more photos in my Flickr photo set from the day which is part of my Scottish Mountains Collection.

A slightly later start than usual had me a wee bit concerned that I was missing out on the early weather window promised by MWIS and the Met Office for Saturday. Although it was slightly overcast in Aberdeen at 6:30am, as I drove down the A90 the cloud retreated from the coast until it hung over the Angus hills, leaving me in bright sunshine and with a big smile on my face. Dundee and Perth were only just waking up as I sailed through and it was only the usual combination of tractors, road works and weekend drivers that slowed me down on the A85. Loch Earn looked spectacular in the morning light and after that it was short blast south towards Stirling before turning off the main road and making for Balaquidda.

Everybody was heading out of the village, presumably going for milk and a newspaper, but once on the single track road beyond the village it was quiet and I didn’t have any other vehicular problems. The drive along the winding road beside Loch Voil is beautiful and the sunshine and blue skies only emphasised the wonderful scenery. Towards the west end of the loch there were a few campers and when I arrived at the walkers' car park at Inverlochlarig, shortly after 9:20am, there were already quite a few cars parked up. A couple of walkers left heading for the Stob Binnein path as I booted up.


an-caisteal.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



Image

The car park is excellent with ample space for 10-15 cars and a notice board with maps and information. Well done to this particular estate for being so welcoming to hillwalkers :)

Once on my way I had the usual navigational difficulties getting through the farm areas. I should have just continued on the main farm track but got nervous and doubled back to follow the track signed for Beinn Tulaichean. As I left the farm I released this was talking me up the Larig glen so went through a gate and crossed open land to return to the road which runs alongside the river Larig!

Image

Once this was sorted and I was comfortably on the correct track I settled down to enjoy the morning sunshine, the blue skies and the wonderful views in this peaceful glen. There were cows lower down, and as I drew level with Stob a’ Choin, a Corbett on the south bank of the river, sheep became more populous.

Image

Image

Away in the distance I could see a couple of walkers heading further down the road. After crossing the Ishag burn I left the road at NN412176 and struck out north across open hillside which soon steepened into the lower slopes of my first target for the day Beinn a’ Chroin.

Image

From the road this is a steep hill with a dominant terrace of crags about 400m up. The map suggested that heading west would take me around them but as I climbed I started to pick out a line through the crags which would be more direct (and fun!). I passed over a gate at around NN406179 and then climbed up the outfall of a gully.

Image

Unfortunately as the gully narrowed it became apparent it wasn’t going to work out. I scrabbled around trying a few different ways but with wet rock and loose grass it was a no-go. I retreated and followed the crags around a short distance to the west. The next gully I came to was much wider and I was able to scramble up its upper reaches to emerge on top of the terracing. There were now views onto Beinn Tulaichean to the east and behind me to Stob a’ Chroin.

Image

Image

This was the first of three balconies that I moved up, heading from one to the next, moving left and right through outcrops of stone until finally I came out just to the east of a rounded eastern subsidiary peak. Across a narrow expanse of peaty ground was the final climb up onto the summit of Beinn a' Chroin

Image

Image

To the north and east the views had opened up spectacularly. I could look up and down the long glen of the Larig, and to the west Arrochar's peaks could just be seen with Ben Lomond a little further to the south.

Image

I eagerly crossed the bog and climbed quickly up the final steep slope to emerge at the summit of Beinn a’ Chroin, a small cairn on a large rocky tor marking the top.

Image

Strangely the place was deserted with no sign of anyone heading along the bumpy path. Out of the shadow of the hill I now felt the first effects of the chilling northerly wind. After visiting the cairn I dropped down onto the sheltered southern side and paused for a few minutes to soak up the views and enjoy a spot of tea. I could see clearly my other targets for the day, An Caisteal to the south and Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean to the east. I also lathered on some suncream as the sun was starting to warm up nicely.

Image

Image

Image

From here I was on a track which wound its way along the numerous tops of Beinn a’ Chroin. The path is excellent, picking its way across steep sided gullies (some still holding a bit of snow) and over a number of cairn-marked summits. The views all around were brilliant – Ben Lomond and Arrochar to the west, and to the north all of the central Highlands basking in the sunshine.

Image

Image

Image

I finally started to meet some people who were on the standard route coming over from An Caisteal. Everyone was very chatty and remarked on the weather (no surprises there!). It also seemed that the latest forecast was for the good weather to hold through the day which made me particularly pleased. I was expecting it to be snowing by the time I reached Cruach Ardrain!

Image

Image]

Image

Finally, I dropped down the flanks of Beinn a’ Chroin. The path here turns to cross the face of some crags, faint at first but then firmer until it turns back on itself to drop steeply down through the crags. I lost the track amongst some boulders but it was easy to make my way down to the bealach. As I descended I also got views onto the westerly Munro of Beinn Chabhair.

Image

Image

From the bealach, the track is strong and can easily be followed all the way up to An Caisteal. Though initially steep, it soon broadens out onto a gentler ridge which leads up over a number of bumps to the flat summit of the mountain. I passed a few more people on my way up as they descended including three folk all dressed in red and a fair few people in shorts and t-shirts (including Gable Gable End!).

Image

Image

The views back onto Beinn a' Chroin showed what a bumpy mountain it is.

Image

Remarkably I had the summit to myself and after visiting the cairn found a sheltered spot to eat my lunch. The views out over Ben Lomond, Arrochar and what I think was Loch Long held me captivated. To the west there were isolated groups of mountains, presumably Ben Lui, Ben Cruachan and so on.

Image

Image

Image

Eventually I tore myself away and continued north, dropping off An Caisteal onto Twistin Hill. The path remains excellent and I followed it for some way until I had drawn level with the northern ridge of Cruach Ardrain on the far side of the Falloch. My plan here was to descend into the glen, cross the river and climb up to the ridge on the far side.

Image

Image

Image

The slopes below the bealach, dropping down from NN376208 to NN388209 were delightful – springy grass and a shallow gradient that nevertheless got me down to the path besides the river very quickly.

Image

Image

I may have confused a few people returning from Beinn a’ Chroin on the book route by crossing the track here, dropping to the river and picking my way across the boulders to the other side.

Image

Image

Here a faint track took me south around the bottom of the western arm of Meall Dhamh. As the track disappeared I climbed steeply up this shoulder, getting wary looks from sheep and deer. On the far side of the allt dropping down from Cruach Ardrain I spotted two walkers – in hindsight their route may have been more sensible. However, I persevered and eventually caught a sight of people moving along the ridge path. I had to climb all the way up to the summit of Meall Dhamh to avoid some final crags but this gave me great views up onto the north side of Cruach Ardrain.

Image

Image

Image

Having done that off-track section I knew I could now relax and follow a decent path pretty much all the way back to the car. Cruach Ardrain is a hefty mountain from this northern side and the track veers around to the west before finally tackling the summit from a more southerly direction.

Image

Image

Image

A group of walkers descended and paused to play in one of the few remaining snow patches. I continued upwards, to find a crowded summit cairn.

Image

Image

Image

One person kindly took my summit shot and then I retreated slightly to have a last mug of tea and enjoy the spectacular views. Eventually the people drifted off and I was left to enjoy the golden silence and the late afternoon light.

Image

Image

Image

Image

I now had a delightful finish to the day; a gentle bimble across to Beinn Tulaichean on a well worn track (overtaking the walking party) and enjoying the views back over to Beinn a’ Chroin and An Caisteal, and east to Ben More and Stob Binnein.

Image

Image

There is hardly any ascent up to the summit of Beinn Tulaichean where I stopped for a final break. Compared to its higher neighbours it doesn’t offer quite the same views but it was highly satisfying to look around at my whole route.

Image

Image

Image

I then dropped off south, initially following a clear path which faded briefly as some crags appeared on the east side of the mountain. I dropped around to the west and found the track again.

Image

Image

This process was repeated a number of times though as I got lower I was able to roughly hold a line heading to the farm at Inverlochlarig. Eventually things leveled out and I hit the track dropping out of the Larig Glen.

Image

Image

Image

This I followed back across the river, past the farm and back to the car, arriving just before 6pm.

Image

An utterly brilliant day - fabulous hills, weather and views :D
Last edited by Astronick on Thu May 13, 2010 9:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Astronick
Stravaiging
 
Posts: 194
Munros:220   Corbetts:52
Fionas:11   Donalds:5
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:10   
Joined: Jan 11, 2009
Location: Tillicoultry

Re: Four Munros from Inverlochlarig

Postby kevsbald » Thu May 13, 2010 9:39 am

You lie! The A82 - I dinnae hink so. :D
User avatar
kevsbald
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2248
Munros:273   Corbetts:134
Fionas:82   Donalds:53
Sub 2000:16   Hewitts:17
Wainwrights:29   
Joined: Jan 15, 2009
Location: Glasgow

Re: Four Munros from Inverlochlarig

Postby Astronick » Thu May 13, 2010 9:49 am

You got me! I of course meant the A85 (and have edited my report to say so). Luckily my mountain navigation is better than my road navigation :lol:
User avatar
Astronick
Stravaiging
 
Posts: 194
Munros:220   Corbetts:52
Fionas:11   Donalds:5
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:10   
Joined: Jan 11, 2009
Location: Tillicoultry

Re: Four Munros from Inverlochlarig

Postby Paul Webster » Thu May 13, 2010 10:01 am

Good report Nick, hadn't thought of doing those as a four from there but looks sensible on the map. Glad to see the hills look alot better with sunshine than when I climbed Tulaichean and Ardrain!
User avatar
Paul Webster
Site Admin
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 5826
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:71   Donalds:45+17
Sub 2000:121   Hewitts:133
Wainwrights:135   Islands:92
Joined: Jan 6, 2007
Location: Highland
Walk wish-list

Re: Four Munros from Inverlochlarig

Postby monty » Thu May 13, 2010 10:42 am

Nice report Astro.....
Thats my black Vectra, the first car in the car park. :D I was up there early on Saturday to do a different four.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4668

The weather was superb. Nice set of pictures. My pictures are similar to yours although you took many more. :D
monty
 

Re: Four Munros from Inverlochlarig

Postby mountain coward » Thu May 13, 2010 1:06 pm

I can't see the photos on that yet so I'll have to have another look later and see if they're coming out yet...

However, I'd thought of going that way up Beinn a' Chroin but it sounds even worse (from a coward's perspective) going up that way than the normal, rather steep route! I'll probably stick to the standard one now. But one reason I was going to do it from the back was because I wanted to do both front ridges of An Caisteal - up one and down the other
mountain coward
 

Re: Four Munros from Inverlochlarig

Postby Astronick » Fri May 14, 2010 8:33 am

mountain coward wrote:However, I'd thought of going that way up Beinn a' Chroin but it sounds even worse (from a coward's perspective) going up that way than the normal, rather steep route!


Although the route I chose was fairly steep and craggy, looking at the map I think it would be possible to stay on the Larig road for longer and then climb Beinn a' Chroin from the south-west, climbing up to the small lochan and then up towards the summit. This (I think) would be slightly gentler ground.

monty wrote:Thats my black Vectra, the first car in the car park. :D I was up there early on Saturday to do a different four.


It was a fantastic day to be out. As I said I was worried that I had left it too late but thankfully that proved not to be the case. By the way, yours was one of the reports I saw recently that inspired me to post up mine here :D

Paul Webster wrote:Good report Nick, hadn't thought of doing those as a four from there but looks sensible on the map. Glad to see the hills look alot better with sunshine than when I climbed Tulaichean and Ardrain!


Thanks for reading! Yes, sunshine in this part of the world makes a big difference. Last April I trudged up Ben More and Stob Binnein from Ben More farm in clag from around 400m up. I had no idea they were such fine mountains and will definitely be going up them again on a good day!
User avatar
Astronick
Stravaiging
 
Posts: 194
Munros:220   Corbetts:52
Fionas:11   Donalds:5
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:10   
Joined: Jan 11, 2009
Location: Tillicoultry

2 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 79 guests