Beinn Odhar, Beinn Chaorach and Cam Chreag

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Summary

These three grassy Corbetts make an enjoyable round from Tyndrum. Beinn Odhar is a graceful cone with fine views; there is then a very steep descent and climb to reach the very rounded Beinn Chaorach, well-named as the hill of the sheep. The final summit, Cam Chreag, is a little more rocky before a lengthy descent and return to Tyndrum via the West Highland Way.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Mostly grassy hills; no paths on the high ground. Some boggy sections and very steep descent and reascent between Beinn Odhar and Beinn Chaorach

Public Transport

Tyndrum is served by both regular buses and trains.

Start

Tyndrum. Open in Google Maps.

Deer Stalking information

Southern approaches from Tyndrum area and Auchtertyre: no stalking issues.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 21km / 13 miles
Time: 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 1367m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN329304

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Odhar
Corbett: Beinn Chaorach
Corbett: Cam Chreag (Auch)

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (9)

Stage 1

Start from the centre of Tyndrum, and begin by heading north along the road, passing the Green Welly Stop, then turning right immediately over the river to go through the car park of Brodie's Mini Market, heading up a lane signed as part of the West Highland Way. Follow this lane - which soon becomes a track - as it leads through a gate and out of the village. After a little over a kilometre it crosses a bridge over the railway line. On the far side go through the pedestrian gate and immediately bear right to pick up a faint old grassy track heading up the low ridge above the west side of the Crom Allt.

Stage 2

As it gains height there are good views back to Tyndrum. The old track has become indistinct and can be tricky to follow, but eventually it cuts left and then makes a zig-zagging ascent of the grassy slopes before ending at the remains of an old mine by a crag at around 650m. From here continue up the ridge before the slope eases at a shoulder with a small lochan. After this brief respite continue up the final cone to reach the summit of Beinn Odhar - the highest point on the walk at 901m, and a fine viewpoint for the peaks of the Southern Highlands.

Stage 3

From here descend southeast down to another shoulder with another lochan - Lochan Choire Dhuibh. Continue SE to point 698m, then descend the very steep but grassy slopes down to the low bealach dividing Caol Ghleann and Gleann Cumhang. Cross the Allt Cumhang. The slopes leading up to Beinn Chaorach are equally steep and daunting; a line of sawn-off fence posts offers a guide to tackling this unremitting pull.

Stage 4

It is with some relief that the ground finally flattens off onto the summit plateau of Beinn Chaorach. This very rounded, grassy hill lacks distinguishing features and is well named as the Hill of Sheep. The cylindrical OS trig point marking the summit is towards the south end.

Stage 5

For Cam Chreag, head NNE across the plateau and down a gentle slope towards the boggy ground of the bealach. There are great views across Glen Coralin towards Beinn a' Chaisteil and Beinn Dorain. After the peaty bealach - with the remains of a battery for the now sawn-off electric fence - the route heads up the broad ridge towards Cam Chreag, and the ground becomes a little more rocky.

Stage 6

Head up to reach the tiny summit cairn. From here the walk could be extended - either down the NNW ridge to the glen floor and then up Beinn nam Fuaran and Beinn a' Chaisteil to make a giant round of 5 Corbetts, or down to the Bealach Ghlas Leathaid to climb Ben Challum.

Stage 7

Our route, however, returns towards the bealach before cutting down the open slopes into Gleann a' Chlachain. As lower ground is reached there is a low double fence to negotiate - the outer one being the remains of an electric fence, the latter a low conventional fence just beyond. Once across this continue downhill to soon pick up an initially wet track west of the Allt Gleann a' Chlachain. Further on the track improves, running along the glen flanks through an area of very slowly regenerating native woodland. Go over a stile at the far end of the woodland area and continue on the track. There are sometimes cattle on or near the track, continue through a gateway.

Stage 8

After heading more steeply downhill keep right at a track junction to stay on the main track down the glen; at the next junction, keep left. The track leads under the railway to emerge at Auchtertyre Farm. Here keep right onto the West Highland Way, following the waymarker signs as this leads under the A82 and then through Tyndrum community woodland back to Tyndrum. When the tarmac road is reached near the By the Way hostel, turn right along it to reach the main road and then left to return to the start.

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