Beinn Mheadhonach, via Glen Tilt

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Any hillwalk that starts with an approach along glorious Glen Tilt is one to saviour; Beinn Mheadhonach has the added pleasure of being a quiet hill with straightforward conditions underfoot.

Terrain

Good tracks and paths for approach. Heather paths - indistinct and sketchy at times - on the open hill.

Public Transport

None to Old Bridge of Tilt; Blair Atholl buses and trains 1km from start.

Start

Old Bridge of Tilt car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a large public car park at the Bridge of Tilt, accessed on the left after driving over the bridge. The walk begins to the right of the map and information board, on a path following the yellow waymarkers at first. Keep left as the path nears the river, then cross a bridge over the approach road. The path then emerges onto the main track up Glen Tilt - turn right along it. The track leads on through the forests, crossing Cumhann-leum bridge after 2.5km. There are more open views in places on the next stretch; after another 1.8km take a sharp left turn from the main track to cross Gilbert's Bridge.

Stage 2

On the far side the track swings left back downriver; almost immediately take the track that turns sharp right - the main gate is often locked here, if so use the strange diamond-shaped pedestrian gate just beyond. The track climbs gently through forestry before emerging by some ruins at Ach Mhairc Bhig - site of one of several former settlements in the glen. At this point you can either continue along the main track or follow the yellow-waymarked path which keeps just to the right - the two routes soon rejoin. This part of the glen is a delight, with the denser conifers now left behind and the track having become a grassy tord; continue through the scattered birches of Sean-bhaile Wood.

Stage 3

Cross the stone Ach-mhairc footbridge and continue on the path beyond for a few metres until a yellow marker post ('Viewpoint') indicates a turn on the left. Head up this path to reach the tumbledown remains of Ach Mhairc Mhòir, another former township with a superb view to the upper part of Glen Tilt. Leave the waymarkers and Glen Tilt behind here, instead following a grassy path high above the ravine of the Allt Mhairc. Beinn a'Chait and Beinn Mheadhonach come into sight ahead.

Stage 4

When the path forks the slightly higher branch gives the easiest route. Pass high above the confluence of the Allt Mhairc and the Allt Diridh; the path is clear as it cuts across some very steep slopes, with a landslide at one point, before descending to reach New Bridge - actually an old stone bridge, in a stunningly scenic spot. Cross the bridge and take the path which climbs very steeply beyond to emerge on the moorland above.

Stage 5

There is only a faint path on the next section, climbing up onto the lower part of the ridge. The path fades out completely for a time on heathery ground, before becoming distinct again just to the left side of a boggy patch. Great views open up behind as a steeper section is climbed and the route keeps above some low broken crags on the left. The easiest route keeps to the left at a fork just before a pair of cairns. At one point the route passes through the remains of an old drystone dyke.

Stage 6

There are several false summits, one with a insignificant cairn, before a slightly larger cairn is reached at the first 900m contour ring shown on OS maps. This appears to the summit on the ground, though keen baggers are likely to continue a little further to reach the point 901m marked on maps. The views are extensive though constrained by the bulks of Càrn a'Chlamain to the east and Beinn Dearg to the northwest, with high summits of the Cairngorms well seen to the north.

Stage 7

It is possible for very fit walkers to combine the route with Beinn Dearg by continuing around the ridges, but that would make a very long day. Instead retrace your steps back down the ridge, returning via New Bridge back to Glen Tilt. The walk back down the glen can be varied from the forestry section just after Gilbert's Bridge, by taking a signed 'Shortcut' yellow waymarked route on the left.

Stage 8

This briefly climbs through the trees to emerge at a stile and a higher track. Turn right along this, passing above Croftmore and keeping left at a fork in the woods. Emerge onto a surfaced track near Kincraigie and then turn right down the road to Fenderbridge and right again to Bridge of Tilt. Turn right one final time here to head back to the Old Bridge of Tilt itself, and then left into the car park at the start of the walk.

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