Beinn Achaladair and Beinn a'Chreachain

Summary

This pair of Munros forms the northerly half of the Beinn Dòrain range and gives a grand ridgewalk. Beinn a'Chreachain, the highest Munro in the range, has a fine northern corrie, whilst Beinn Achaladair is a very shapely peak with much character. The views - especially looking out over the vast soggy table-land of Rannoch Moor - are magnificent.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Mixed terrain: some pathless sections, some boggy parts, one very steep ascent and a good deal of fine grassy ridges. Note that the footbridge over the Water of Tulla shown on maps no longer exists and is forded in the route described.

Deer Stalking information

North of Beinn an Dothaidh-Achalladair/Chreachain ridge: Blackmount Estate (East). Stalking between early Aug and 20 Oct. No stalking on Sundays. If further information is needed please phone 01838 400255 between 7am and 8am Mon-Sat.

Getting there

Start

Car park just off the A82 signed for Achaladair Farm.

Public Transport

Citylink buses pass along the nearby A82 between Fort William and Glasgow.

Start Grid Ref

NN313437

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 21.5km / 13.25 miles
Time: 7 - 9 hours
Ascent: 1266m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Munro: Beinn a'Chreachain
Munro: Beinn Achaladair

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Walk Description

User reports (55)

Stage 1

Turn off the A82 along the track towards Achaladair Farm where there is a walkers car park just 150m from the main road. This walk can be done in either direction but a clockwise circuit gives perhaps the finest views ahead, so walk along the track to the hardstanding near the farm. Keep to the left side of the hardstanding to pass through a gate onto a grassy track. This runs through a field beside a stone wall before passing through a gate to reach a ford over the Allt Ur. This can usually be crossed with dry feet but it may be impossible in spate (in which case there is a bridge upstream just above the farm).

Stage 2

Continue on the track until it reaches a bridge over the Water of Tulla. Our route from here crosses the bridge and continues along the track - but note that the footbridges shown on maps upstream no longer exist, so check water levels to be confident you'll be able to make the crossing. (If the Water of Tulla is high, it is possible to stay on the south side until after the Allt na Crannaich and then follow faint paths through the trees to pass under the railway, then turning left after a deer fence to eventually regain the main route, with some bushwhacking). To stay on the main route, you'll see the ruined farm of Tom na Grobh ahead; keep on the main track by turning right. There are great views of the days mountains across the Water of Tulla. After another two kilometres leave the track, heading down to the right to the river. Only two twisted girders remain of the old bridge, but in dry conditions you can cross the river just upstream.

Stage 3

Once over the river the route enters the Black Wood of Rannoch. This is a celebrated remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest which once covered most of Scotland, with a mix of fine Scots pines lower down and birches higher up. The path heads to the left, keeping well above the river; it soon becomes boggy underfoot in parts. You'll see where the burn flows under the railway to your left; continue up to reach a gate and pedestrian underpass beaneath the track. As part of the West Highland line, the railway is considered the most scenic in Britain. Follow the path alongside the deer fence; ignore the two stiles (where the alternative route mentioned above joins back in) and continue uphill close to the burn. There are great views through to the right across to Beinn Achaladair, looking magnificent above the pines.

Stage 4

The path continues by the cascading stream up into Coire an Lochain. You can continue right up to the lochan, or cross the burn a little earlier, to head up the open, pathless slopes to the left of the cliffs around the head of the corrie.

Stage 5

As height is gained the views back become increasingly beautiful, initially across Rannoch Moor and later down onto Lochan a'Chreachain - a stunning lochan cradled by the corrie headwall. The north ridge of Beinn a'Chreachain is reached at about 900 metres. Turn right along the fine ridge which curves left just before reaching the summit.

Stage 6

The summit of Beinn a'Chreachain is marked by a well-built cairn at 1081 metres, the highest peak in the Beinn Dòrain range of four Munros. It is a very fine viewpoint; Rannoch Moor looks impressively wild and empty, backed by distant Ben Nevis and with a great view up the length of Loch Ericht. Southeast is Loch Lyon, with Ben Lawers the distant dominant peak surrounded by its many satellites. Continue the walk by descending steeply towards the bealach with the neighbouring summit of Meall Buidhe. The descent is initially stony but becomes grassier as the bealach is reached.

Stage 7

From here a clear path heads off to the left, appearing to contour round Meall Buidhe; this path is not continuous however and it is probably easier as well as more enjoyable to follow the grassy ridge over this minor summit, making the most of the views over Rannoch Moor. Beyond Meall Buidhe the ridge descends to the Bealach an Aoghlainn. The ridge leading up the other side to Beinn Achaladair looks (and is) very steep in its lower section, but there is a path. This starts a little to the right and winds its way up the steep grass with a couple of rocky sections. Higher up the slope eases and curves to the right for the final climb up to Beinn Achaladair's summit.

Stage 8

A cairn positioned right by the edge of the northern precipices is it the finest viewpoint but the actual summit is slightly further on at 1038m. There is no better place from which to look out over the vast desolation of Rannoch Moor, with the Black Wood as a foreground far below, whilst further left is an aerial view of Loch Tulla backed by mighty Stob Ghabhar. Continue the walk along the now gentle grassy ridge which gradually curves round to the south, ascending slightly at one point before continuing down to the bealach above Coire Daingean. From here it is possible to continue the walk by ascending the ridge ahead to Beinn an Dòthaidh, but most walkers will have had enough. A fairly clear path descends north from the bealach into Coire Daingean, negotiating a route through the rough hummocky ground.

Stage 9

The path keeps to the east side of the burn as it descends from the upper corrie past some pretty waterfalls, before crossing to the west side just beyond a steep section. The going is boggy in places but the path is fairly clear, crossing one feeder which has a steep rocky bank on the far side. The path - which is now both eroded and boggy - otherwise continues easily down Coire Achaladair. Towards the bottom the path runs to the left of a fenced area and then crosses the railway via a bridge in a picturesque patch of woodland. Looking back Beinn an Dòthaidh looks magnificent. Continue down until a signpost indicates where to bear left on a boggy path over humpy ground to return to the car park.

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