Beinn Bhreac, from Calvine

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Beinn Bhreac is a rolling, heather-covered hill guarded by peat bogs and featureless moorland, hidden away in the remotest corner of the Atholl hills. Reaching it from any direction is something of an epic; the easiest route is that described here - the long approach up Glen Bruar can be greatly aided by the use of a mountain bike.

Terrain

Good track (suitable for MTB) to beyond Bruar Lodge, then stalkers path up into the hills. Pathless, featureless terrain with peat hags to approach the hill itself.

Public Transport

Bus to Calvine from Blair Atholl and Pitlochry.

Start

Calvine. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park in Calvine village, just off the A9; one possibility may be opposite the old petrol station. The walk begins up the signed Minigaig track between the houses, forking right to head up to the A9. Cross carefully and climb the steep track directly opposite. The gradient eases a little after passing a hut, but the climb continues for several kilometres, passing over the west shoulder of Creag Bhagailteach. There are good views back towards Schiehallion and other hills.

Stage 2

After levelling off there is a good view up Glen Bruar - dominated by Beinn Dearg. The seemingly endless track now descends into the glen via a zig-zag - losing 100m in height (painful on the return walk - especially if you are using a mountain bike). The glen is empty except for a couple of deserted cottages, and, further on, the first of two new hydro dams.

Stage 3

After 12.5km follow the main track when it curves right to cross a bridge over the Bruar and lead to Bruar Lodge. Turn left along the front of this, continuing on the track for another kilometre - the second of Glen Bruar's new hydro dams is seen across the glen.

Stage 4

After crossing the bridge over the Allt Beinn Losgarnaich, leave the track and head up the north side of the burn. The going is boggy initially but soon a good stalkers' path is picked up, which climbs high above the burn, zig-zagging at one point as height is rapidly gained.

Stage 5

The path gives some impressive views down into the gorge carved by the burn, with some attractive waterfalls, before contiuing to more featureless moorland ahead. After a cairn the path becomes lost in peat bog; there are two options here, either aim briefly NW to pick up a path (marked on OS 1:25k maps) which crosses the watershed ahead on the west side, or aim NE to pick up a path (not shown on maps) which eventually runs across the lower slopes of Beinn Garbh - our map shows the former as the route out and the latter as the return.

Stage 6

Whichever option is chosen, the heather dome of Beinn Bhreac finally comes into view as a first watershed is crossed. Both paths eventually fade into the bogs; continue NE across the peat hags around the Allt Coire Camartaich, crossing the heather below Caisteal a' Choire to finally cross the burn which is the final obstacle before the lower slopes of Beinn Bhreac.

Stage 7

The initially soggy heather slopes become drier as height is gained, and a path appears on the final section across bare mosses to the summit cairn. The view is unspectacular, but remarkable for the huge, empty expanses of rounded, heathery hills in all direction, with only the more dramatic Cairngorms really standing out. After enjoying a well-earned break, the return route is to retrace the very lenghty approach!

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