Stob an Aonaich Mhòir, from Loch Rannoch

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This remote hill enjoys a superb position above Loch Ericht, making it a wonderful viewpoint, revealed only at the last moment to most walkers. The usual approach involves many kilometres along a private tarmac road - if you only use a bicycle to help reach one hill, it should probably be this one.

Terrain

Private tarmac road for most of the walk, final kilometre to and from the summit across pathless, boggy moorland. The road is a little potholed in the initial stages before improving, but is suitable for road bikes with sufficient gears for the long, steady climbs.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Bridge of Ericht, Loch Rannoch. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is limited parking where the private road leaves the B846 just east of the Bridge of Ericht - take care to park considerately and ensure no entrances are restricted. There is a car park 1.5km to the east, no hardship if using a bicycle for the approach, which would save several hours. The gate at the start of the private road is usually locked, but there is a pedestrian gate just to the right. The tarmac surface is a little rough on the first section but becomes excellent after a couple of kilometres or so. The road climbs through the trees to a more open section, with grand views back to Meall Buidhe over the head of Loch Rannoch.

Stage 2

After passing through a gate the road runs above the edge of a plantation, and then a very attractive section above the river, scattered with birch trees. There are good views towards the Sgòr Gaibhre group, well seen over the dam at the foot of Loch Ericht. A junction is then reached immediately before a bridge; turn right here. The road now climbs and the surface becomes smoother.

Stage 3

The road crosses the Allt a'Choire Odhar Bhig and an attractive section follows beside the Allt Ghlas, with views ahead to the ultimate objective. A long, steady climb follows before the road levels off and undulates before crossing the Allt Ghlas 10.5km from the start of the walk (or cycle ride!). A further climb of 2.5km leads to the highest point on the road, marked by a small cairn on the right.

Stage 4

Leave the road at this point, aiming WNW towards the unseen summit of Stob Aonaich Mhòir. The terrain underfoot now couldn't be more different as the route leads for a pathless kilometre up a sodden slope of heather, coarse grasses and occasional peat hags. The sudden view down Loch Ericht and across to the magnificent Ben Alder group comes as a revelation.

Stage 5

The cairn marking the summit is a wonderful spot, looking out both up and down Loch Ericht, with the great drop to the northwest giving a real feeling of depth in contrast to the lonely moors of the long approach. For the return, retrace your steps back to the summit of the road.

Stage 6

Once back at the road, travellers undertaking the whole route on foot may be very jealous of those who cycled up. From here, it's either a long, possibly footsore tramp along the tarmac, or a speedy ride almost all the way downhill back to Loch Rannoch.

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