📌 Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute
★★★★
Four Munros form the Great Wall of Rannoch – a natural topographic barrier between the ancient kingdoms of Dalriada in the west and Pictland to the east. Traversing the entire range in a day makes for an epic expedition, but finishes several miles from the start point. We’ve split the group into two more practical chunks: Beinn Dòrain and Beinn an Dothaidh (described separately), and Beinn a’ Chreachain and Beinn Achaladair (described here). This latter pair are both endowed with spectacular northern coires forming the main part of the “wall” along vast Rannoch Moor’s southern edge. The ridge between the peaks makes for a very enjoyable walk, as do the tumbling burns followed on ascent and descent – though there is a fair amount of pathless ground to negotiate elsewhere.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Track to Achallader 
Fording the Allt Ur, with Beinn an Dothaidh beyond 
A good track makes progress along the Water of Tulla quick 
Water of Tulla backed by Beinn Achaladair 
Crossing the Water of Tulla 
Beinn Achaladair seen from the ascent 
Beinn Achaladair 
Looking back down the Allt Coire an Lochain 
Lochan a’ Chreachain backed by Meall Buidhe 
Coire Dubh Beag, Beinn a’ Chreachain 
Looking southeast towards Loch Lyon 
Coire an Lochain from near the summit of Beinn a’ Chreachain 
Looking ahead to Meall Buidhe (right) & Beinn Achaladair (left) 
View south from Meall Buidhe 
Beinn Achaladair 
Looking back to Meall Buidhe 
Rannoch Moor from Beinn Achaladair 
Beinn Achaladair main cairn – though the true summit is a little further west 
Loch Tulla backed by the Black Mount range 
Beinn an Dothaidh (centre) & Beinn Dòrain (left) 
Descent back towards Achallader 
View back up the Allt Coire Achaladair 
Beinn Achaladair from the descent 
West Highland Line
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish just off A82 on track to Achallader, 3 mi north of Bridge of Orchy
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 313438
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.555529,-4.746176
❌ Buses pass the start on the A82 but there is no official stop
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 21 km / 13 mi | ▲ 1220 m | ⌛ 7.5-8.5 hr
Features: △ Beinn a’ Chreachain (1081 m, Munro); △ Meall Buidhe (978 m); △ Beinn Achaladair (1038 m, Munro)
⬤ Tough | Track for approach along Water of Tulla. There is a path for much of the rest of the route, but it is not continuous; in particular, the ascent from Allt Coire an Lochain to bealach is completely pathless. Some boggy / rough / rocky areas, & a few fords which could be impassable in spate, especially Water of Tulla at Dùn Aigheannach (this is avoidable by staying on the south bank at the previous track bridge). All fords crossable on dry boulders on our visit, after a dry spell.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – Achallader – follow track by Water of Tulla until footbridge near Dùn Aigheannach – railway underpass at 🧭 NN 359467 – bealach between Beinn a’ Chreachain & 961m spot height – Beinn a’ Chreachain – Meall Buidhe – Beinn Achaladair – head of Coire Daingean – follow Allt Coire Achaladair to railway bridge – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Cows, sheep & lambs around Achallader. Crows, frogspawn.
Weather: Hazy sunshine with a fairly gentle breeze. Temperature in high teens by the finish, but much cooler on the summits with frozen lochans & a reasonable amount of remaining snow (all avoidable).
April 2021
