Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh and An Stùc

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The eastern three Munros of the Lawers range give an excellent circuit of the corrie holding Lochan nan Cat, the finest feature of the range. The recently-promoted Munro of An Stùc involves a steep scramble and this route is much more challenging than the usual trade route to Ben Lawers itself. The walk can easily be extended to take in the higher summit.

Terrain

There is a steep and loose scramble to ascend An Stùc, and a steep descent to Lochan nan Cat that requires care. Apart from this the ridgewalk is straightforward, though boggy on the return from the lochan. There is not a continuous path for this walk.

Public Transport

Start

Parking at the Lawers Hotel, and sometimes in a farmer's yard if sign displayed - both of which offer parking for a charge. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is no parking at the start of the walk; the only option is to park either at the Lawers Hotel or the farmer's yard which sometimes offers parking in the busy season, both of which offer parking for a charge. Begin the walk by heading east (carefully!) along the main road. After half a kilometre along there is a white-painted cottage on the left selling antler and bone-carved products. Turn left up the track immediately beyond this. When the track swings right at a barn go straight ahead on a signed path through the trees. This soon leads up to a track, which once again swings right - again take the path straight ahead.

Stage 2

The path climbing up through the birchwoods is a delight, crossing a couple of small bridges and later a stile. After a second stile the trees are left behind and the Ben Lawers National Nature reserve is entered by a sign. Beyond it the path passes through an area dotted with old shielings, where folk once would have lived during the summer months. Further on the path descends into the deep gully of the Lawers burn; leave it before this at a small cairn and keep high above the burn on its east side.

Stage 3

The path fades out but becomes clearer once more as the ground steepens for the grassy climb up Sròn Mhòr - the southern shoulder of Meall Greigh. Once above Sròn Mhòr there is a short peaty section before the ascent continues up the south ridge. The recompense for the effort is in the fine views of Loch Tay behind.

Stage 4

Meall Greigh is rather a sprawling and shapeless Munro but its slightly detached position at the eastern end of the Lawers Range makes it an extensive viewpoint. Most eyes will be drawn west along the broad ridge to be followed to Meall Garbh, backed by steep An Stùc and massive Ben Lawers behind, with the tiny Lochan nan Cat cradled in front of them.

Stage 5

Descend along the ridge - which is more of a moorland at this point - with a fenceline soon joining in from the right. Continue down to the bealach of Lairig Innein, where there is some wetter going in places. Beyond the bealach continue up the grassy slopes ahead.

Stage 6

Higher up the ridge becomes better defined and curves round to the left to reach a rocky minor peak; continue beyond this to reach the cairn at the summit of Meall Garbh itself. This second Munro of the day is a mighty 1118 metres, its summit on second of the two parallel little ridges along the top. Ben Lawers now looms much closer but all eyes will be drawn to the next peak on the ridge - An Stùc - which rises intimidatingly steeply from the next bealach.

Stage 7

Continue down the ridge to its foot. The ascent to this peak is a steep scramble and somewhat loose - great care is required, particularly in the wet. In winter this ascent can be very difficult indeed. The cairn at the summit will probably be reached with some relief. At 1118 metres An Stùc is exactly the same height as Meall Garbh; for many years this led to controversy as only the latter peak had Munro status. All was resolved in 1997 when An Stùc was itself promoted to be a Munro as well. Its status is well deserved as this is the finest peak in the Lawers range.

Stage 8

Continue down the easier south ridge to reach Bealach Dubh. From here a decision must be made. It is possible to continue and include Ben Lawers to make a fine circuit of Lochan nan Cat, descending along its east ridge and then northeast to regain the path up to the corrie. Others (probably having climbed Lawers before) will have had enough, and will instead turn left at the bealach, following a rather winding path down an initial steep section of the descent.

Stage 9

There is a short grassy interlude before a final very steep descent down to the lochan - great care is needed. From here continue east along the exit stream, following it to a dam used by the Lawers hydro scheme. A track leaves here - follow it for a brief distance before onto a clear path that keeps high above the Lawers ravine. Further on the path descends into the ravine and crosses it before rejoining the outward route and leading back to the start.

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