๐ Lochawe, Argyll & Bute
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Beinn a’ Chochuill (Hill of the hood) and Ben Eunaich (Hill of the fowling) both catch the eye in the classic view of popular Kilchurn Castle. The hills themselves are a bit neglected by comparison, but a gently-graded track makes light work of the approach and some of the ascent, with Highland cows grazing on the verge and conveniently-spaced boulders to perch on for a break. Further up, a hill path begins promisingly but quickly fizzles out, though eventually re-establishes itself higher up. The highlights of these two Munros are spectacular views to the north towards the Black Mount and the back of Glencoe, west to Loch Etive and brooding Ben Cruachan, and back across Loch Awe and the castle. The ridge linking the two summits is good fun too, but the last part of the descent is not: no-one likes a steep, eroded, loose and slippery path! Our trip was a good reminder of how quickly the weather can change in the hills; compare our photos taken early in the walk to the ones from later in the day.
๐ท Chronological photo guide
๐ Location
๐ Start / finish on B8077 at bridge over Allt Mhoille, 1 mi northeast of Lochawe
๐งญ O.S. Grid Reference: NN 136288
๐ฐ๏ธ GPS coordinates: 56.414275,-5.023742
๐ Bus stops on A85 near B8077 turnoff. Lochawe railway station is just over 1 mi away
๐ Limited verge parking either side of bridge – do not block access / gates
๐ Key info
โถ 13 km / 8 mi | โฒ 1220 m | โ 5.5-6.5 hr
Features: โณ Beinn a’ Chochuill (980 m, Munro); โณ Beinn Eunaich (989 m, Munro)
โฌค Tough | Good track for first few miles and end. Paths on grass / mud / rock for most of remainder, steep in places (especially on final descent to track). One pathless section soon after leaving track on ascent.
Download file for GPSโก๏ธ Clockwise lollipop circuit with extension to Beinn a’ Chochuill: start – leave track at ๐งญ NN 124315 – join ridge near 896m spot height – Beinn a’ Chochuill – retrace steps & continue to Beinn Eunaich – descend south ridge – rejoin outward route at ๐งญ NN 129307 – start
๐ฅพ On our last visit
Wildlife: Sheep and Highland cows; solitary ptarmigan on Beinn Eunaich.
Weather: Unbroken sunshine to start, but deteriorating later with hill fog on Beinn Eunaich. Close to freezing on summits with a chilly breeze at times.
November 2017