Meall Ghaordaidh from Glen Lochay

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Meall Ghaordaidh (named on some OS maps as Meall Ghaordie) is one of the less distinguished Munros, the usual ascent from Glen Lochay being up a broad grassy shoulder, though the upper section is rockier and the summit rewards with a good view. The Glen Lyon side looks more interesting but is little visited.

Terrain

Rough track, then hill path - very boggy in places. Rockier near summit.

Public Transport

No public transport to the start.

Start

Space to park 100m west of bridge over Allt Dhuin Croisg. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 9.5km / 6 miles
Time (summer conditions): 4 - 6 hours
Ascent: 895m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN526363

Summits Climbed

Munro: Meall Ghaordaidh

Maps, App and GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is space for about four cars a short distance past the bridge over Allt Dhuin Croisg on the road up Glen Lochay from Killin. Begin the walk by heading back along the road towards the bridge and then turning left through a gate signed for 'Access to Meall Ghaordaidh' before reaching it. This leads onto a rough track through a field to another gate. Glen Lochay has some magnificent mixed woodlands, and the track passes close by some particularly fine ash trees.

Stage 2

The track fades to a faint grassy trod as it climbs through a larger field; bear right if in doubt. At the top of the field the track leads through a gate in a drystone wall - this is locked but there is a ladder stile just to the right. Pass over this and follow the now clearer track; looking back, there are already great views back over Glen Lochay. The track continues uphill with the pretty little wooded ravine of the Allt Dhuin Croisg on the right.

Stage 3

Look out for small cairn by the track - with a pole over to the left nearby - and leave it here, , crossing a muddy channel and following an initially faint path passing to the right of the pole. Looking over to the right, old shielings are visible - reminders of the days when shepherds would stay up on the hill. Further on, the path becomes increasingly muddy, though clearer to follow, crossing over the line of a broken-down fence.

Stage 4

As the route climbs up onto the southeast shoulder the ground becomes much peatier, and parts of the path are a quagmire. Higher up drier ground is reached once more, and the much rockier upper section of the hill draws closer. There are a couple of tiers of very broken crags which the path winds a way up through.

Stage 5

By this stage the views really begin to open out, particularly looking up Glen Lochay to the distant, pyramid-like (from this angle!) Ben Challum.

Stage 6

The final push leads up, crossing a patch of white quartzite - to the summit trig point at 1039 metres, encircled by a stone wind-shelter. The views are good, particularly northwest over the head of Glen Lyon and its loch.

Stage 7

If returning to Glen Lochay, the quickest route is to go back the same way. It is possible to to use the Cam Chreag ridge to link with the Corbett Beinn nan Oighreag, though the descent/reascent from the intervening bealach is steep; if planning this it is perhaps better to tackle Beinn nan Oighreag first - the link is described under the route description for that hill.

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