Ben Cruachan

Oliver O'Brien

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This tour of Ben Cruachan starts by crossing the West Highland railway line (at 50m above sea level), then ascending steeply through woodland beside the Falls of Cruachan, arriving at the huge dam of the Cruachan Reservoir. It next follows the western shoreline (at 410m), before turning away and climbing steeply up Coire Dearg to a high saddle (820m), gaining the ridge.

The final climb to the summit of Ben Cruachan is up steep, bouldery slopes. There are fine views from the top (1,126m)and the route of the rest of the walk is visible. The route continues steeply down the west ridge of the mountain, with huge vertical cliffs on the left and a long slope right down to the reservoir on the left.

There are a couple of rocky steps on the crest of the ridge that should be negotiated with extreme care. The path eventually climbs up past a top (Drochard Ghlas, 1,009m) and drops down before climbing back up to the second Munro, Stob Diamh (998m), another fine viewpoint. The route then heads south over another top (980m), before heading down a grassy shoulder back to the reservoir, eventually meeting an access road.

The route ends by following the access road down past the dam and then regaining the ascent path, back down to the start.

Scotland - Central Scotland - Argyll and Bute - Munro