Beinn Bhuidhe, via Glen Fyne

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Beinn Bhuidhe is a Munro isolated from any others, and the long walk in means it is much less visited than the nearby Arrochar Alps, despite it having rough and rocky slopes in places. The approach described here is the traditional one following a private road up the glen (can be cycled) and then a rugged ascent; it is possible instead to make use of an ugly new hydro track from near where the route crosses the river until around 550m, where the track crosses the route described.

Terrain

Approach is on tarmac and rough tracks. Ascent route described ascends steep ground with avoidable scramble and some bogs. Descent route is pathless but easier going.

Public Transport

Bus to Loch Fyne Oyster Bar.

Start

Head of Loch Fyne. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a car park just west of the River Fyne off the minor horseshoe road that leaves the A83 on either side of the river. Leaving the car park, turn right (ignoring the track ahead to Clachan Power Station), cross the bridge and then turn left. The road is tarmac but private and passes the Fyne Ales brewery and a farmhouse as it heads up the glen. After a little over 3km the road curves to the left and crosses the river on another bridge.

Stage 2

Turn right on the far side of the bridge to continue up the glen. A small cluster of houses are passed at Glenfyne Lodge and, 2km after crossing the bridge, the tarmac road swings right to cross it again en route to a power station. This time stay on the west bank, leaving the tarmac and following a rougher track. The pylons and power station are eventually left behind and the beautiful glen can be enjoyed with less man-made intrusions.

Stage 3

Pass through a gate in a deer fence where a sign requests cyclists to head no further up the glen. On the left side of the track are beautiful hazel woodlands, whilst soon the route comes closer to the river and then reaches the old cottage at Inverchorachain, a beautiful spot on a fine day; there is even a glimpse of Ben Lui up the glen. Continue to the gate and there a choice must be made. The route we describe in ascent has a path but is badly eroded in the gorge; one section now involves a tricky scrambling move (which can be avoided via a pathless detour across the steep grassy slopes above) and higher up the going can be very muddy; this route turns left immediately after the gate to head up the south side of the stream. The alternative route - which keeps above the gorge on the north side - is easier underfoot and has a less steep final ascent, but does not have the benefit of a path; we describe this route as the descent. For the gorge route, turn left immediately after the gate to pass through another gate and follow the path which soon comes close the stream, passing some very attractive waterfalls.

Stage 4

The path is clear but eroded in places and climbs steeply up into a an attractive wooded gorge, mostly keeping well above the burn. There are a couple of slight scrambly steps, the last of which, where the path comes closer to the burn, is very awkward; it can be bypassed by climbing up to the left until the line of crags relents and permits a continuation as a grassy traverse; cut across the steep grass here, ascending slightly further until it is possible to descend back to the path above the difficulty. The gorge is terminated by a waterfall and the clear path climbs steeply well to the left of this, crossing a new hydro track and a stream higher up.

Stage 5

The ascent now continues more gradually up a boggy mid level; the path across here is wet and faint in places but heads WNW towards the steep and craggy ridge of Beinn Bhuidhe itself. This part of the ascent looks formidable but a path, now clear again though very wet, ascends a grassy initial slope and then continues up a gully with no difficulties to reach the ridge. Suddenly, a fabulous view is revealed down the far side, looking towards Ben Cruachan and Loch Awe. From here a clear path heads to the left along the ridge, keeping very close to the steep left side at first.

Stage 6

Continue up the final cone of the summit, marked by a cairn and very broken trig point. As a viewpoint Beinn Bhuidhe is tremendous, with a stunning view down Loch Fyne and out towards the mountains of Arran, Jura and Mull as well as a vast array of mainland peaks.

Stage 7

Return along the ridge, but rather than head back down the steep ascent route, continue another 300m along the ridge to reach the lowest point. From here a pathless but straightforward descend can be made by heading east down less steep ground before turning to the southeast as the ridge part of the mountain is left behind. Rather than returning down the gorge, it is easier in this direction to keep above its steepest slopes on the north side. There are a couple of streams to cross which flow down into the head of the gorge but once beyond these the descent is mostly grassy.

Stage 8

When a fence is reached cross the stile and head down to a gate at the corner. Go through the gate on the right and follow the fence, then heading through a gate on the left at another corner. Eventually the descent ends at another gate just to the right of some sheep folds, giving access to the track in Glen Fyne. Turn right along this; all that remains is retracing your steps down the long glen back to the start.

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