Beinn Pharlagain, near Rannoch Station

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Beinn Pharalagain is a rounded, knobbly ridge of heather and grasses running south from the Munro Sgòr Gaibhre. It's highest summit - Meall na Meoig - acheives Corbett status. The walk can be extended to take in the two Munros of Sgòr Gaibhre and Càrn Dearg.

Terrain

Good approach track, then pathless hillwalking. Straightforward slopes of grass and heather, with boggy ground lower down.

Public Transport

Train to Rannoch Station on the West Highland Line.

Start

Parking opposite 'Road to the Isles' track at NN446578, 2km east of Rannoch Station. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is parking opposite the start of the track at NN446578, by Loch Eigheach around 2.2km east of Rannoch Station. The walk begins by heading north along the excellent track, signed as a Right of Way to Fort William via Corrour. Pass around a gate and continue along the track; it was once part of the 'Road to the Isles', celebrated in the renowned folk song. As the track slowly gains height there are great views looking west to the West Highland railway, Loch Laidon and the distant Black Mount.

Stage 2

The track passes a footbridge (a few hundred metres south of where it is marked on OS maps); ignore this and stay on the east bank of the Allt Eigheach. The track crosses a ford - leave it and instead follow a faint ATV track that continues north across boggy ground. Eventually bear northeast to ascend the grass and heather shoulder of Leacann na Giomach.

Stage 3

The gradient eases and a broad, meandering and undulating ridge leads on over several hummocky summits. Point 807m can be bypassed on the east side, and point 838m on the west, for the fastest route to the summit.

Stage 4

From the summit cairn, the best views are northeast over Ben Alder and Loch Ericht. When descending, it is better to bear east at first to avoid broken crags, passing just to the right of the more westerly of the two small lochans.

Stage 5

It is quite possible to extend the walk to take in the two Munros, Càrn Dearg and Sgòr Gaibhre; this involves a descent to the bealach then a long, two-stage pull up Sgòr Gaibhre before heading west to the second Munro and returning along its south ridge all the way back to the Road to the Isles - adding 2.5 hours or so to the walk described here.

Stage 6

Our route instead simply descends west into Coire Eigheach, crossing some boggy ground in the floor of the glen. Head south down the west side of the main burn; soon a rough ATV / landrover track can be picked up atop the west bank. This eventually ascends round the flank of Sròn Leachd a' Chaorainn; leave it here and follow a path which continues down by the burn, eventually meeting the 'Road to the Isles' track beside a plantation. Head down this and then downstream to reach a bridge enabling a return to the outward route.

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