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Walk up An Caisteal and Beinn a’Chroin from Crianlarich

By Dave Roberts   

on August 23, 2018    4.5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland

Walk up An Caisteal and Beinn a’Chroin from Crianlarich

Route Essentials

Route Summary

A varied traverse of a pair of Munros to the south of Crianlarich in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

15.81 km

Ascent

1117 m

Time

6 - 7 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Layby on the A82 near Crianlarich (NN 368 238)

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

The descent from An Casteal to Bealach Buidhe has a few steep sections and route finding can be tricky.

Weather Forecast:

Mountain Weather for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up An Caisteal and Beinn a’Chroin from Crianlarich Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up An Caisteal and Beinn a’Chroin from Crianlarich

There are numerous Munros to the south of Crianlarich from An Caisteal, Beinn a’Chroin and Cruach Ardrain in the west, to Stob Binnein and Ben More to the east. This circular walk from Crianlarich climbs the first two for a walk that’s challenging enough without adding any more mountains – ideal as an introduction to Munro Bagging for those used to easier hills south of the border. Incidentally, it’s also the SMC recommended route from The Munros book, which is practically the Munro bagger’s bible.

The walk could easily be extended over Cruach Ardrain as a circular walk, especially worth it if you’re looking to bag the Munros in as few trips as possible. We’re happy enough to return another day (preferably one with a view!)

Featured Image – Photo by Nick Bramhall on Trend hype / CC BY-SA

An Caisteal and Beinn a’Chroin from Crianlarich Route Description

1 – From the lay-by on the A82, cross under the railway and follow the good track towards An Caisteal along the River Falloch. We continued along to the fence noted on the map – though it is possible to head uphill sooner. This is the point you’ll re-join the route in a good few hours.

2 Head uphill on a boggy path – which is a slog, but straightforward, until you eventually arrive at the summit of Sron Gharbh. This is only 2km, but you’ll gain over 400m in asecent.

3 The ridge relents a little as you follow a good path from Sron Garbh to the summit of An Caisteal along the long ridge of Twistin Hill. As soon as you see the conspicuous craggy knoll seen in the images below, you’ll almost be at the summit which is only a 100m or so further on, but with the ascend gladly behind you.

4 You’ll need to lose some significant height as you descend from the summit of An Caisteal down an interesting ridge with some steep and scrambly sections to arrive at Bealach Buidhe. This forms part of Scotland’s watershed – with water flowing south to the Clyde  and north to the Firth of Forth.

5 You however, will need to flow east as you follow a winding path up the slopes to the summit ridge of Beinn a’Chroin. There’s a number of summits on the ridge, with the second knoll being classed as the western summit and a Munro Top, but only has a prominence of 16m so barely a bump on the ridge. The third knoll, though keeping count in the terrain isn’t easy, is the Munro summit of Beinn a’Chroin – marked by a cairn.

6 From the Munro summit, continue eastwards to the final summit of the day – which at least involves a bit of climbing to attain the eastern summit which at 940m, is only 2 metres shorter than the main summit. Just in case they get re-surveyed, we suggest you bag them both! Descent from here is along the grassy but reasonably narrow and twisty north ridge that kept interest all the way down to Coire Earb.

7 You’ll need to cross the infant River Falloch and follow a faint route along it’s western bank. This section can be horribly boggy, even during exceptionally dry conditions – so take care! The extension of the route over Cruach Ardrain and back over Grey Height would at least avoid this wet trudge. The track, once you reach it, is a welcome sight and is an easy end to this satisfying walk.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

A varied traverse of a pair of Munros to the south of Crianlarich in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

This walk includes the 2 Munros of An Caisteal, Beinn a’Chroin

Route Start Location: Layby on the A82 near Crianlarich (NN 368 238)

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
15.81 km 1117 m 6 - 7 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

None – but shops and pubs in nearby Crianlarich.

Hazards

The descent from An Casteal to Bealach Buidhe has a few steep sections and route finding can be tricky.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Free in lay by.

Public Transport:

West Highland Line railway passes through Crianlarich, making it reasonably accessible from Glasgow / Fort William. There’s a CityLink coach service on the A82, but we don’t think this will be practical to get to the start from Crianlarich – so a 2km road yomp may be needed for the car-less.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Mountain Weather for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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