Beinn Achaladair

Beinn Achaladair, at 1,038 metres, is perhaps the finest of the Bridge of Orchy Munros, presenting an impressive north face to the wonderful pinewoods of the Black Wood of Rannoch, with a superb view over Loch Tulla and Rannoch Moor to the Black Mount and Glencoe.

The route starts from a car park created by the accommodating local farmer near Achallader Farm, off the A82 at the end of Loch Tulla — an honesty box for donations is provided. From the ruined tower at the car park, the walk can be tackled clockwise or anticlockwise around a circuit taking in both Beinn Achaladair and neighbouring Beinn a' Chreachain; heading up Coire Achaladair gives good views of Beinn an Dòthaidh's north face on a steady climb to a bealach. From here, the ridge sweeps up to Beinn Achaladair's first, 1,002-metre top, continuing along the summit crest past a series of cairns to the true summit at 1,038 metres, with sensational views over Loch Tulla and Rannoch Moor to Ben Nevis on a clear day.

Beyond the summit crest, the path descends gradually as the ridge curves south-west to a broad grassy bealach before rising again to Beinn Achaladair's southern top at 1,002 metres, then continuing for a further kilometre before swinging south-west towards the next bealach — the descent from the main summit is notably steep and, in wet or icy conditions, genuinely slippery, with several regular visitors reporting falls on loose rock here.

Most walkers continue over the minor top of Meall Buidhe to Beinn a' Chreachain, the highest of the group; for those with transport arranged at both ends, the full traverse can extend further to Beinn an Dòthaidh and Beinn Dòrain before descending to Bridge of Orchy, and the extremely fit sometimes detour to include Beinn Mhanach as well.

The circuit taking in Beinn Achaladair and Beinn a' Chreachain from Achallader is around 20 kilometres with substantial ascent, typically seven to nine hours, with a considerable amount of walking back along tracks and the A82 verge if returning to a single car.

The descent from the main summit is steep and can be treacherous when wet or icy, and the connecting ridge to Beinn a' Chreachain, while generally well-pathed, still demands full navigation skills in poor visibility given the remote, exposed nature of this high ground.

The Achallader Farm car park is free (donations welcome); there is no public transport directly to the start, though Bridge of Orchy station is a walkable distance for those without a car.