Beinn a' Chaisteil towers impressively with broken crags above Auch, though its ridge gives grassy walking; Beinn nam Fuaran is a more retiring hill but also more rugged underfoot.
Bog Factor
Good track in glens. Grassy but pathless on Beinn a' Chaisteil. Steeper, rougher and wetter on Beinn nam Fuaran.
A82 near National Park boundary.
Buses run along the A82 past the start.
NN328331
There is limited parking on the east side of the A82 just north of the sign for the Loch Lomond National Park boundary. The walk begins along the track heading north from here, with great views ahead of Beinn Dòrain. Soon the West Highland Way joins in from the right. Continue ahead along it until the track reaches a cross-roads. The West Highland Way continues ahead over a bridge here; our route turns right, alongside the Allt Kinglas.
The track fords the stream coming down from Glen Coralan on the right. As the railway viaduct is reached it forks; bear right beneath the viaduct to follow a track that climbs up through a gate and then runs across the slopes of Beinn a' Chaisteil above the railway. Keep on the higher track when it forks, and follow it until a high point before it descends towards a dam on the Allt Coralan.
Leave the track here and climb the steep but grassy slopes northeast and then north up onto the broad ridge leading to Beinn a' Chaisteil. The ridge runs above Creagan Liatha and then curves round above the cliffs of Coire Gaothach.
The summit is a grand viewpoint over Auch and for the higher Munros rising all around. Descend the broad open slopes towards the bealach below Beinn nam Fuaran.
Beyond the peat bog of the bealach, Beinn nam Fuaran rises very steeply. The slopes are most easily tackled by keeping to the right (east) side initially, but the going is still steep.
The views are very constained by the close proximity of higher mountains, though many of these are seen to good effect. To the northeast, Loch Lyon can be seen receding into the distance.
Continue along the ridge, following a line of fenceposts towards the loch. At a junction of fences, follow the left branch that leads NNE to begin a steep and rough descent, boggy lower down. At the foot of the slope a track is reached by an artificial fall on the river. Turn left to begin the walk down the track down the Allt a'Chuirn.
Simply follow the main track down the glen. Several times the track fords the Allt Kinglass, which may be difficult or impassable in spate conditions. Eventually the outward route is rejoined below the viaduct. From here retrace your steps back to the start.
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