This short hillwalk ascends Beinn a' Mhanaich - an outlier of the Luss Hills - by the long and gradual south ridge. The only complication is that the route runs through a military firing range - do not undertake it if red lights or flags are flying.
Bog Factor
Mostly grassy ridge path, some sections are boggy.
Start of track off A817 at NS270910.
None to start.
NS270910
The walk starts where a gated track leaves the north side of the A817 at NS270910. It is possible to carefully park a couple of cars on the apron by the road; if full, there is parking near the start of the track to the dam 500m east. The walk begins through the two sets of gates and up the track, but pay attention to the sign - this route runs through a military firing range, and access is not possible if red lights are showing or red flags are flying (the danger area extends well to the east of the ridge, so cannot be avoided on the ridge as OS maps suggest).
Almost immediately the hard track swings right - leave it at this corner and instead take the grassy track that continues up the ridge. It heads through an area of planted trees, and then heads through a gate onto the open hill, keeping to the left of a fence and to the right of the danger area signs. There are great views back to Glen Fruin as height is gained, and later over the Gare Loch.
Eventually the slope relents as the Strone is reached, and the route passes through a gate in a fence. From here on the danger area signs head east down from the ridge, so it isn't possible to continue if lights / flags are shown. Otherwise continuine along the ridge, now on boggier ground. The route climbs once more towards Maol an Fheidh; the ridge here becomes ill-defined and you can bypass Maol an Fheidh to the east side.
After crossing the boggy Bealach an t-Saic the route climbs again and the firing range is left behind. There is a gate in a another fence shortly before a final slightly steeper slope leads up to the top of Beinn a' Mhanaich.
The summit cairn is known as Moses Cairn after Major Chris Moses, a local hill-runner, teacher from Helensburgh who was previously in the Royal Marines. The OS spot height is a few metres NW of here but looks to be lower when on the ground.
Beinn a' Mhanaich stands apart from its neighbours in the Luss Hills, and although it could be combined with Beinn Chaorach, the bealach is at only 351m and the ground between is steep - so many choose to leave it for a separate outing. Unless intent on a much more challenging day, the return walk is instead simply to retrace your steps back down the ridge.
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