Beinn Iaruinn and Leana Mhor, Glen Roy

Summary

Beinn Iaruinn rises very steeply above the rollercoaster road up Glen Roy, with the northern arm of its corrie being the most usual route of ascent. Combining the hill with neighbouring Leana Mòr , however, makes for a more enjoyable walk avoiding the steepest slopes.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Steep initial ascent to largely pathless, heathery hills. Boggy ground particularly at the bealach and on descent.

Getting there

Start

Parking on grass verges near bridge and sharp bend at NN300880.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NN300880

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.75km / 5.5 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5 hours
Ascent: 786m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Iaruinn
Fiona: Leana Mhòr (West)/a>

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

The walk starts from the bridge over the Allt a' Bhreac Achaidh; there is parking on the grass verge either on the bend just before the descent to the bridge, or after the bridge on the right. Park considerately and avoid blocking any passing spaces. Begin the walk on a faint path upstream on the south side of the bridge, soon leaving it to climb up the bank on the left and follow a higher path alongside the fence atop this.

Stage 2

Continue briefly alongside the fence as it turns southwards before striking off to begin the direct ascent of the ridge that borders the southern side of Coire an t-Seilich. There are traces of a path at times but alot of the ascent is simply up steep heather. The rewards are in the superb views which begin to open up looking straight towards the head of Glen Roy.

Stage 3

Eventually the gradient eases and then levels off. There is a slight descent to boggy ground before the final - more featureless - pull up to the tiny summit cairn of Leana Mhòr - one of two hills of this name in Glen Roy (its namesake is directly opposite).

Stage 4

Descend northeast and then north down the shoulder above Coire Odhar to reach the peaty bealach at 515m. There is a fence and gate enclosing the glen to the left here, but our route crosses neither, instead climbing the fairly featureless slopes opposite, northeast up onto the plateau of Beinn Iaruinn.

Stage 5

The terrain is quite featureless in poor visibility until the rim of Coire nan Eun is reached. From here traces of a path lead on over several slight undulations to reach the larger summit cairn of Beinn Iaruinn, atop a rocky outcrop.

Stage 6

The quickest descent would be to continue east for a kilometre or so before descending the very steep slopes to the road. However, it is more pleasant to instead retrace steps to the 515m bealach. From here a rough path traverses across below Coire Odhar, keeping well above the burn but slowly losing height. When it reaches the base of the low crags on the opposite side of the corrie descend the open slopes more directly towards the start - it is often possible to follow ATV tracks for the descent. Eventually the burn is reached not far above the bridge and is followed back to the start.

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