Glen Kendrum (January 2015)

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.


Distance 18.5km (11½ miles)
Total ascent 1037m
Time 6 hours
Start/finish public car park in Lochearnhead, by the A85 (NN592238)
Nearest town Callander
Terrain farm track gives easy access up Glen Kendrum to the hills; mountain bikers could use this to full advantage. Off the track, paths are thin to non-existent. Ascent of Creag Mac Ranaich is extremely steep
grass, weaving among crags, with careful route-finding needed in particular on return leg to avoid treacherous ground. Deep peat bogs on lower slopes of Meall an t-Seallaidh: gaiters recommended
Accommodation Comrie Croft hostel and camping (01764) 670140
Public transport bus from Callander or Killin, to Lochearnhead.
Traveline tel 0870 608 2608, www.traveline.org.uk

When it comes to a mountain’s impact, what counts far more than simple size is what it does with its height. You’ll often hear it said that there’s tougher walking to be found on Scotland’s Corbetts – the 221 peaks between 2,500ft and 2,999ft – than on the 282 3,000ft-plus Munros. For that you can blame their comparative unpopularity. With fewer feet to trample them, the Corbett paths tend to be sketchier, harder to walk and harder to follow – if you can find them at all.

Below the 3,000ft cut-off the weekend crowds of a typical Munro are conspicuous by their absence, and while it is wonderful to have a whole mountain to yourself, often literally, this isolation does add an air of seriousness. In these terms Creag Mac Ranaich and Meall an t-Seallaidh are utterly typical Corbetts – accessible yet largely neglected; small-ish yet by no means a pushover.

Rising above the villages of Lochearnhead and Balquhidder, these neighbouring tops are perfect for lovers of solitude. You’ll never be alone on nearby headliners like the Tarmachan Ridge or Ben More, yet while from Creag Mac Ranaich and Meall an t-Seallaidh these Southern Highlands favourites could hardly look better, the view will probably be all your own. It’s a route of manageable length, but one that still packs a full Corbett quota of tough terrain, from the rocky crags and knobbles on top to the maze of peat hags in the glen below.

NN592238 Head west through the village, then south along the A84. About 1km from the car park turn right onto a side road running uphill past a church and several houses. At a track junction go right to cross a bridge over an old railway line (now a cycling route). Bear left past a house and continue uphill through woods and pastures to Edinchip Farm. Follow the footpath sign past the farm, then just beyond turn right up a fence line to reach the disused railway.

NN578226 Cross a bridge over the railway, then take the four-wheel drive track into Glen Kendrum. The track climbs gently up the glen, with a great view opening out behind you to Ben Vorlich and Stuc a’Chroin. After a little over 2km the track crosses the Kendrum Burn, then zigzags up the heather-clad hillside. After this steep climb the angle eases and the track makes a long, steady climb beside a burn, passing beneath the impressive south-east crags of Creag Mac Ranaich to reach the broad, peaty pass that joins the two hills.

NN542248 At the high point of the pass turn right off the track and climb the precipitous west flank of Creag Mac Ranaich, following an intermittent line of stumpy fence posts up grassy ground between scattered rock outcrops. The path here is very halfhearted and easily lost. Above this steep slope the trail winds vaguely through knobbly terrain, passing a cairn on a minor top to reach the marginally higher north summit, a tremendous viewpoint overlooking Loch Tay and the distant Tarmachan Ridge.
NN545256 Retrace your steps over the minor top, then descend back to the pass below, taking care as you go not to veer too far left onto craggy ground. Cross the track on the pass, then head southwest. The route first weaves through unpleasant peat hags, then climbs the steep grass slope leading up to the obvious saddle between Meall an Fhiodain and Cam Chreag – again, occasional rusty fence posts show the way, and again there’s no real path to speak of.

NN538243 At the saddle cut left, climbing onto Cam Chreag’s knobbly summit. Continue south on the broad ridge for the easy climb onto Meall an t-Seallaidh. The top is marked with a cairn and trig point.
NN542234 To descend head briefly south-east along the ridge, then bear left onto an obvious shoulder. Now descend the mountain’s steep, grassy north-east flank, weaving slightly to avoid any rock outcrops (there is no trail). Soon reach a slight summit, point 695m. Here cut left to follow a vague spur approximately north-north-east over rough, soggy ground. As height is lost trend right, crossing three burns, to regain the Glen Kendrum track. Now go back the way you came to Lochearnhead