Beinn a' Bhuiridh, near Loch Awe

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Summary

Beinn a' Bhuiridh is really the final peak on the Ben Cruachan horseshoe of ridges, though its steep northern slope means that most people do not include this Corbett in their Cruachan round. Here we describe it as a hillwalk in its own right, along the east ridge over Monadh Driseig - rough terrain initially but with great views.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Track, then steep, pathless and rough hillside. Higher up the ridge gives drier going.

Public Transport

Citylink Oban bus passes the start but no place to stop; nearest stop Lochawe which also has a train station.

Start

Parking near junction of B8077 and A85. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 862m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN132283

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn a' Bhuiridh

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (12)

Stage 1

The walk begins at NN124291 a track which leaves the B8077 immediately north of its junction with the A85. There is space for one car to park carefully opposite this entrance (a wide turning circle is needed for large vehicles exiting the gate) - alternatively there is a layby a short distance east along the A85. Start by heading through the gate and following the track northwards, with views ahead towards Stob Diamh and the Beinn a' Chochuill range.

Stage 2

When the track forks go left, following it up and through a small quarry. Beyond this leave the track and head off generally SWS up the pathless hillside. This is boggy, rough and - in places - steep, giving strenuous going until the ridge is reached. Aim to either reach the rounded knobble at around 350m or the narrow bealach to its right. There are views to the right towards the main peak of Beinn a' Bhuiridh.

Stage 3

From the small col aim SW up the main ridge, avoiding an initial crag on the left side. The gradient begins to ease and the going becomes more pleasant. There are stunning views south towards the eastern part of Loch Awe, with Kilchurn Castle prominent.

Stage 4

Continue up the ridge until it broadens into a fairly featureless area of wide moorland - Monadh Driseig. A trig point towards the southern edge of this gives superb views of most of Loch Awe.

Stage 5

Cross boggy ground, descending slightly into a wide bealach, to reach the foot of the much more well defined ridge which climbs up to Beinn a' Bhuiridh. This gives drier going, with some steep crags on the right hand side giving a more mountainous feel.

Stage 6

Head on up past a couple of gullys to reach the summit ridge. The first cairn has a fine position and feels like the highest point, but the Ordnance Survey maps suggest otherwise; continue down slightly over rocky ground and across a minor bump (with steep slopes on the right) to reach the wider plateau where a small cairn marks the OS' summit. The eastern cairn definitely has the better views though, particularly of Loch Awe.

Stage 7

The northern slopes descend extremely steeply to the Lairig Torran that links the mountain with the Cruachan horseshoe. Instead, our route merely involves retracing your steps back down the ridge the way you came.

Route Profile

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